Home > How-To > Reset iPhone passcode

How to Reset iPhone Passcode When You Forgot It

Forgot your iPhone passcode? Discover the ultimate guide to resetting your iPhone passcode and regaining access to safeguard your personal data.

face
Mark Anderson
Updated on Sep 6, 2023

There are a couple of methods to reset iPhone passcode with or without computer.

A passcode that is easy to remember yet difficult for others to guess can safeguard your iPhone data from potential leaks. Due to security concerns, some users choose to reset iPhone passcode regularly to prevent unauthorized access. The process of resetting passcode on iPhone is straightforward when you still remember the current screen password. However, what to do when you forgot your iPhone password?

If you find yourself in a situation where you've forgotten your iPhone passcode, don't worry. There are several fixes you can take to reset your iPhone passcode and regain access to your device. Hopefully, you have a recent backup of your iPhone data, since the process may erase all your content and settings during the iPhone passcode reset. Now, we'll show you multiple ways on how to reset iPhone passcode step by step.

Jump to:

How to reset iPhone passcode when you forgot your iPhone password

Generally, you cannot reset your iPhone passcode without knowing the current screen password. But thankfully, Apple has made it simpler to reset a forgotten iPhone passcode, whether using iTunes or iCloud. If you know your Apple ID and the password associated with it, it's relatively straightforward to reset passcode on iPhone. Otherwise, you'll want to use a 3rd-party tool that can reset iPhone passcode without Apple ID password.

Whichever the option you pick, the resetting process typically involves erasing all data files on the iOS device. But if you been backing up your iPhone to iTunes or iCloud regularly, it's possible to restore your data after you factory reset your iPhone passcode.

Note: If you know the current iPhone passcode, you can easily reset your iPhone passcode to a new one by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Enter iPhone passcode > Change Passcode to reset a new iPhone passcode.

How to reset passcode on iPhone with iPhone Unlocker

When you forgot screen password, a convenient and quick way to reset iPhone passcode is to use a highly efficient iOS unlocking software - iPhone Unlocker, which can easily reset passcode on iPhone without requiring the original passcode, Apple ID and its associated password. It offers extensive support for various passcode reset on iPhone and iPad, including the latest iOS devices.

To reset iPhone passcode, all you need is a computer, be it a Windows PC or a Mac. Through a simple wired connection using a USB cable, even users with minimal technical experience can follow the user-friendly interface to reset passcode on their iPhone with just a few clicks.

Win Download Mac Download

How to reset iPhone passcode when you forgot the password:

1. Install and open iPhone Unlocker on your computer and choose Wipe Passcode to begin.

2. Connect your iPhone with computer with a USB cable. If your device is connected but not recognized, follow the onscreen instructions to putt your iPhone into Recovery Mode.

3. Check the device information and hit Start button to continue.

4. A proper iOS firmware will be downloaded to your iPhone for resetting the passcode.

5. After download, enter 0000 in the pop-up box and click Unlock to start resetting.

6. When the progress bar ends, your iPhone will be reset and ready for a new passcode.

7. Once done, reset a new iPhone passcode when your device restarts. Make sure to choose a digital number combination that you can easily remember.

Resetting a forgotten passcode on iPhone will erase all data on the device. However, if you've previously backed up your iPhone, you can reset the iPhone passcode without losing any current data by restoring it from the backup created before you forgot your iPhone password.

How to reset iPhone passcode using Erase iPhone

For an iPhone running iOS 15.2 and newer, you can perform a passcode reset on your iPhone with simple taps using the Erase iPhone option, which will only show up on the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen when you input wrong passcode multiple times. It requires your Apple ID password to erase all content and settings before you're allowed to reset the iPhone passcode.

Keep your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi network and learn what to do when you forgot iPhone passcode and how to reset it:

Step 1. Keep entering wrong passcodes on your iPhone screen until the Erase iPhone option appears. You'll find it at the bottom right on iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen.

Erase iPhone option facilitates a reset process of an iPhone passcode.

Step 2. Tap on Erase iPhone, and tap again to confirm it.

Tap Erase iPhone again if you are sure about the iPhone passcode reset.

Step 3. On the Erase All Content & Settings screen, enter your Apple ID password to sign out.

Start to reset the passcode on your iPhone by signing out of the Apple ID.

The resetting process will start automatically. When your device reboots, you can get into your iPhone without passcode, and then reset the iPhone passcode during the setup process and restore person if you have any backups in iCloud or iTunes.

How to reset iPhone passcode with Recovery Mode

If you repeatedly enter a forgotten passcode on your iPhone lock screen, it triggers the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout alert, which temporarily prevents you from entering incorrect passcodes. If you continue to input wrong passcodes a few minutes later, you might eventually face a permanent lockout.

When you're unable to recall the correct passcode to unlock your iPhone, you can erase the forgotten one and reset iPhone password by putting the device into Recovery Mode. To proceed, you'll require a Windows PC or macOS computer with the latest version of iTunes installed. Follow the steps below to initiate the passcode reset on iPhone in Recovery Mode:

1. On your PC or Mac, run the newest version of iTunes.

  • If you're using computer or laptop running Windows, macOS Mojave and the earlier, open the iTunes.
  • For macOS 10.15 and higher, launch the Finder.

2. Shut down the iPhone you want to reset passcode on.

  • For iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation, iPhone 8 and later, press and hold both Volume down button and side button until the power off slider appears.
  • For iPhone 7 and iPhone 6 series, press and hold the side button before power slider shows up.
  • For iPhone SE 1st generation, iPhone 5 and earlier, long-press the top button until you see the power off slider.
  • Drag the slider to turn off the iPhone.

3. Enter the Recovery Mode by holding the correct button.

  • On iPhone 8 and newer, including the 2nd and 3rd generations of iPhone SE, hold tight the side button while quickly connecting the device with computer.
  • On iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, press and hold the Volume down button and immediately plug the device into your computer.
  • On iPhone 6 and earlier, and iPhone SE 1st generation, keep holding the Home button and link iPhone to computer.
  • Don't release the button before Recovery Mode screen displays.

4. Restore the iPhone to erase the forgotten passcode.

  • When iTunes detects your iPhone in Recovery Mode, the Update or Restore dialog box pops up on the window.
  • Select Restore option to erase all content and settings, including the screen passcode you forgot.

5. Set up the restored iPhone and create a new passcode.

  • Don't unplug your iPhone until the process finishes.
  • When your iPhone restarts with a setup screen, complete the setup.
  • Use a new six-digit passcode on iPhone to protect your data.

After iTunes removes the lock screen passcode, you can now disconnect your iPhone and use it as a new one.

How to reset iPhone passcode without computer

While iTunes or Finder can assist in resetting the iPhone password through Recovery Mode when forgotten, access to a computer may not always be available. In such situations, the only option left is to attempt a wireless passcode reset on your iOS device.

Luckily, you enabled iCloud Find My on your iPhone before forgetting the passcode, you have the option to locate a lost or locked device and perform a remote reset on your iPhone to remove the forgotten passcode by using your Apple ID and password. This, however, will erase all data and settings, but there's still possibility to restore your data from a backup if available.

How to reset forgotten passcode on iPhone without computer using iCloud:

1. Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID and password on your spare iPhone or iPad. It should be the same account used on your iPhone.

2. Once in, select Find iPhone icon from the iCloud home screen.

3. Select the iPhone you want to reset from the top list and click on Erase iPhone option.

4. Confirm the erase option if asked. The resetting process will start immediately as long as your iPhone is connected to the internet.

When it's all done, follow the onscreen prompts and reset your iPhone's passcode and settings from the scratch.

Bonus: How to reset iPhone passcode with current password

However, if you do remember your lock screen password, resetting your current iPhone passcode is a breeze. Simply go to your iPhone's Settings and reset the iPhone passcode without erasing any data. To change iPhone passcode:

  • Open iPhone Settings on your device.
  • Scroll down to pick up Face ID & Passcode. For device with no Face ID, tap Touch ID & Passcode alternatively.
  • Enter the current iPhone passcode to proceed.
  • Tap Change Passcode on the next screen.
  • Enter the old passcode and set a new 6-digit passcode for your iPhone.
  • If you prefer to use a 4-digit passcode, press Passcode Options to change it.

FAQs

1. How can I reset my iPhone if I forgot passcode?
To reset iPhone when you forgot passcode, simply take the following steps to perform a full reset on iPhone without passcode:
  • Open iTunes on your PC or Mac.
  • Connect your iPhone and force it to enter Recovery Mode.
  • Select Restore on the pop-up message.
  • When the restore process completes, your iPhone will be reset to factory settings.
2. How to change my iPhone passcode?
If you want to change your old iPhone passcode to a new one, here's how
  • Enter Settings and scroll down until you see Face ID & Passcode. Tap on it.
  • Choose Change Passcode.
  • When prompted, enter the current iPhone passcode you're using.
  • Set up a new passcode for your iPhone. You may use a 4-digit or 6-digit passcode based on your preferences.
About Mark Anderson
Mark is a passionate content creator with years of experience in technical field. He has written a variety of niches and always shares a unique insight into the world of Internet & technology.
Unlock iPhone & iPad Lock Screen
No matter it says Unavailable or Security Lockout, or you forgot the passcode.