If you get your passcode wrong too many times, your iPhone will be disabled, and you will be unable to access it. Your only option will be to do a factory reset. You can do this via iTunes, icloud.com, or the “Find My” app. If you have already backed up the data, you can restore it via iCloud or computer after completing the factory reset.
- Why Is My iPhone Disabled?
- Can You Keep the Data on Your iPhone When It Is Disabled?
- How to Unlock Your Disabled iPhone
- How to Put Your Old Data onto Your Restored iPhone
Why Is My iPhone Disabled?
When your iPhone is disabled, this means that it’s gone. It’s no longer the phone that you used to have. All of the data on the phone is now locked away and forever inaccessible. This is why it’s so crucial for you to constantly back up your data to iCloud or via iTunes onto a computer.
Your iPhone will lock itself and become disabled if you get the passcode wrong more than ten times. This system is designed to stop people from being able to hack into your phone.
If people had unlimited attempts at guessing your passcode, they would eventually guess the correct one and hack into your phone. The passcode system is there so that if your phone gets stolen, hackers will not be able to access any of the information on it.
Can You Keep the Data on Your iPhone When It Is Disabled?
No. Once your iPhone has been disabled, the only way to get it back is to complete a factory reset. You’ll have no choice but to erase all of the data.
If you haven’t already backed up the data you wish to restore, then I’m afraid you will lose it forever.
How to Unlock Your Disabled iPhone
To get your iPhone past the error message “iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes”. You can either use a computer, an iPhone, or an iPad to get it to work again.
When your phone is disabled, your only option is to restore it. This means taking it back to the factory settings. You’ll have to erase all the files, apps, and photos on your phone. We understand that this might not be nice, but there is no other option.
To factory reset a disabled phone, you will need to use iTunes, iCloud.com, or the “Find My” app.
#1 Restoring Your Device via iTunes
The first option is via iTunes. You will need a computer with iTunes installed and a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer to do this.
The first step is to plug your iPhone into your computer.
Next, you will need to put the iPhone in recovery mode. How to do this depends on which model of iPhone you have. You’ll know you’ve done it correctly when your phone displays the recovery mode screen – it has a laptop symbol and a cable symbol.
iPhone 8 or later:
- Press Volume Up.
- Press Volume Down.
- Hold Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
iPhone 7 or 7+:
- Press the side button and Volume Down button until you see the recovery mode screen.
iPhone 6s or earlier:
- Press the home and side buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
Then, open iTunes on your computer. You should see a pop-up like the interface and prompt below. It will give you a choice to either Update or Restore.
Make sure to press “Restore”, taking it back to factory settings. If you press “Update”, you will still need the passcode (that you forgot) to get in. iTunes will download the software and upload it to your phone.
Should the iPhone exit recovery mode, you will need to let the download finish, restart your iPhone, and start again.
#2 Restoring Your Device via icloud.com
You could also use iCloud.com to do a factory reset on your iPhone. However, to do it this way, you will need to remember your Apple ID and Password.
This is a good choice for people who can remember their Apple ID and password but do not have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
- Firstly go to iCloud.com, where you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID and password.
- Once you’re logged on, click on “Find my iPhone” and select “All Devices”.
- You should have a list of all the devices registered with your iCloud account. Click on the device that has been disabled.
- There will be an option that reads “Erase [Device]”. Click it.
- You’ll then have to enter your Apple ID and password again and perhaps even answer a security question or enter a verification code Apple will have sent to another device.
#3 Restoring Your Device via the “Find My” App
If you have an old iPhone that uses the same Apple account, you can reset your disabled iPhone. Just make sure your old device has installed the “Find My” app. If it doesn’t, you will need to install it from the App store.
You will also need to have previously connected your disabled iPhone to Find My (before it was disabled).
- On the iPhone you have access to, open the “Find My” app.
- On the app’s bottom menu, select “Device”.
- Select the disabled device.
- Scroll down and select “Erase This Device”, then “Continue”.
- Enter your Apple ID and password. And select “Remove the device from your account”.
How to Put Your Old Data onto Your Restored iPhone
Now you’ve done the factory reset. If you previously backed up your iPhone’s data either onto iCloud or your computer, you can still restore it.
After the factory reset, your iPhone will reboot automatically. Here is our advice on how to put your old data back on.
- Follow the on-screen instructions until you come to “Wi-Fi.”
- Select the Wi-Fi network you use
- Follow the on-screen instructions until you get to “Apps and Data.”
- Read whichever section applies to you…
#1 Adding Data from iCloud
This option will only work if you regularly back up your data to iCloud.
- Select “Restore from iCloud Backup”.
- Sign in with your Apple ID and Password.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Agree to the Terms and conditions.
- You will see several backup options. Select the most relevant (usually the most recent) one.
- Press “Continue”.
- Wait for the process to complete. Make sure you stay connected to the Wi-Fi.
#2 Adding Data from a Mac or PC
This option will only work if you regularly back up your data on a computer.
- Select “Restore from a Mac or PC”.
- Connect your iPhone to a computer using a cable.
- Open iTunes.
- iTunes will display a “Welcome to your new iPhone screen.”
- Select “Restore from this backup”.
- Select the backup you wish to restore.
- Wait for the process to finish and then you can check your data on your iPhone.
