Maybe you dropped it in a puddle, spilled coffee on it, or perhaps the battery just won’t charge anymore. However, not being able to access your phone because of an activated lock screen can be even more frustrating.
Or maybe you forgot your passcode and need to get back into your phone immediately. Whatever the case may be, there are several ways to unlock an iPhone or iPad again if you meet the following criteria: You’re running iOS 11 or earlier; You know your passcode; Or if you have Touch ID enabled instead of Face ID, which means that unlocking will require scanning your fingerprint instead of seeing your face. If any of these statements apply to you and the lock screen has been activated, as a result, read on for how to unlock an iPhone without a passcode or facial recognition…^
Change Your Passcode
If you’re already locked out of your iPhone or iPad but know your passcode, try changing it immediately. Getting locked out of your device is a serious inconvenience, but it could be worse. Someone who knows your passcode could change your iCloud password and lock you out of your phone and other Apple devices, too. If a friend or a family member has your device, you can wipe it clean and regain control of your data by following these steps:
With a Little Help From Siri
If you don’t know your passcode, but do know your Apple ID and are able to access Siri, you can try resetting your passcode using this method. Siri will then ask for your Apple ID and password, allowing you to reset your passcode. Once you’ve done that, you should be able to get back into your device just fine. However, if you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password and can’t access Siri, you’ll have to put your device in recovery mode. Here’s how: Turn off your device. Hold down the Sleep/Wake or Power button and the Home button at the same time.
Keep the buttons held down until you see the Apple logo. Once you see the logo, release the buttons. Your device should now be in recovery mode. Open iTunes on your computer. Select your device from the top menu bar. Click “Restore” under “iPhone/iPad“. Wait for the device to finish restoring and then try logging in to your device. If you can’t remember your Apple ID password, you’ll have to reset your device’s network settings:
Find the Recovery Key
This can only be done if you previously saved your recovery key. If you didn’t, click “Forgot your password?” on the iCloud login page to reset your password and then you can reset your passcode. To save your recovery key, go to Settings – iCloud and tap “Find My iPhone” to access your account. Tap “Turn On” and then select “Disable Remote Lock”. This will allow you to use the recovery key to log in to your account and reset your passcode. To save your recovery key, click “Create a Password“. You’ll have to enter your Apple ID and password when prompted. Once you’ve saved your recovery key, you can follow these steps to reset your passcode if you’ve forgotten it:
Erase Your Device and Start Over
However, if you’re locked out of your device and know your Apple ID and password, you can erase all data remotely without knowing the recovery key. To erase your device, follow these steps:
Conclusion
If you’ve reached the point where you’re ready to throw your device across the room in frustration, you’ve obviously been through a lot. It’s incredibly frustrating to get locked out of your iPhone or iPad, but with the tips in this article and a little patience, you should be able to regain control of your device again in no time. This is especially critical if you’ve lost your device and have no way of accessing any of your data. Hopefully, these tips will help you get back into your device quicker and with less frustration.