If you forget your iPhone unlock code, you can retrieve it using iTunes, iCloud, or restore mode. Here’s how to do it
In Cupertino’s new smartphones, thanks to Touch ID and Face ID, screen unlock codes are less used. But what can we do if we forget the PIN or unlock sequence used on our iPhone? Here’s how to recover access to your Apple device.
Let’s start by saying that there is no single technique to recover the PIN, password or unlock sequence of our iPhone. First, let’s try to remember the combination used. The code usually consists of four numbers. Before “fiddling” with the iPhone, let’s try to enter our old PIN, or at least the one we remember. We will have six attempts before the device locks. If at the fifth attempt we don’t have the desired result then it’s time to handle the situation in more detail.
Delete all data
Apple informs that the easiest way to recover access to the device, if we have forgotten the PIN, is to delete all information inside the device. If we have never made a backup, completing this operation could mean losing every file we have saved on the iPhone. From photos and videos to app data and email conversations. But this is the only way to get your smartphone back if you don’t remember your login credentials. There are three methods to erase any data from an iPhone.
Use iTunes
If we have synchronized our iPhone with the iTunes program, we can perform a phone restore using this application. First we connect the device to the computer or Mac where iTunes is installed. At this point we open iTunes and enter the data of the Apple account (attention if you have never synchronized the phone with iTunes this technique will not work). With iTunes if we are not asked for an additional access code of the phone we can make a backup and thus save the data on the device. Then we click on the item restore and give the green light to the total cleaning of the iPhone. At this point, when the operation is complete we will see a message: “restore from iTunes backup”. In this way the device will be almost identical to before, but there will be no access code that we can reset.
Use iCloud
If we have synchronized the iPhone with iCloud we can also use this tool to perform a restoration of the phone. Be careful, this system only works if the Internet is active on the mobile device. At this point if we have the iPhone connected to the network we access iCloud from the computer and enter our Apple data. We then go to All Devices and then click on the Your iPhone section. After that we select the Delete Your iPhone heading. At this point the data, passwords and settings saved on the phone will be deleted remotely. And in this way we will be able to reset a new passcode.
Use Restore Mode
If you have never synced your device with iCloud or iTunes, Restore Mode is your last chance to gain access to your iPhone again. With this technique, unlike with iTunes and iCloud, it will be impossible to recover the data saved on the Cupertino smartphone. The recovery mode is activated by pressing the physical buttons on the iPhone. However, the combination changes from model to model. On iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus we need to quickly press and release the “+” volume button, then quickly press and release the “-” volume button and finally hold down the power button until the recovery screen appears. On iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, we need to hold down the side unlock button and volume “-” at the same time until the restore screen appears. On iPhone 6 and earlier models, we need to hold down the physical Home button and the side button until the recovery screen appears. At this point we click on the Restore item and wait. Once the process is complete we can set a new screen unlock code.