What to Do If You Forgot iPhone Passcode
Here is a guide on the steps to take if you forget your iPhone passcode.
Table of Contents
Attempt Any Recent Codes
Hopefully you are forgetting your passcode because you recently changed it and you just are typing in the old code. If this is the case and the phone is currently restricted in any way due to too many attempts, wait for it to refresh and try your new code.
If you share the device with any family members or friends, inquire if they changed the passcode. There have been many times where children have inadvertently (or purposefully) changed or added passcode, often causing quite a panic to their parent.
Ensuring that the code has not been physically changed is a good first step before jumping to any fixes.
Restore to Previous Backup
If the passcode issue just recently happened, if may be a good idea to attempt to restore the device with iTunes and load a previous backup from the computer or with iCloud.
If you are using iCloud to backup your phone, you should have a fresh backup from the last 24 hours or so you could attempt to use. iTunes also logs backups by date so if you have backed up with your computer, check for a date you are sure the passcode was functioning.
If you are able to get into the device after restoring to a previous backup, you should ensure that you make another backup soon now that the device is functioning again.
Restore Phone
Due the passcode being a security measure, there is no way to remove the passcodethrough conventional means. If the phone was jailbroken, there may be a work around yet most iPhone users do not have a jailbreak currently loaded on their device.
The only way to resolve a passcode if any previous methods have failed is tocompletely restore the unit. This is what Apple Stores and other service providers will do if presented with a locked device. By plugging the phone into iTunes using Recovery mode, the unit can be restored to reset the unit without needing the passcode. All data will be lost and not recoverable.
This security feature is to protect personal data in the event of the phone being stolen and is not able to simply be unlocked or removed. The importance of backing up your iPhone information is evident in the times when the phone may need to be restored for a reason such as this.
Using iCloud or iTunes on a consistent basis will ensure no issues if the phone ever needs to have its data erased or is lost or stolen.