We all know that feeling. You keep typing your iPhone’s passcode, only to find out that it is incorrect. So, you keep on trying several more times, which makes it worse, until, you get locked out and realize you cannot remember your passcode anymore. That scary moment will leave you wondering whether you have lost everything on your phone. How will you ever contact people again, and if all your apps are forever gone along with your data. Luckily for you, there is always a way around these smart devices.
If you are currently facing the unfortunate event of being locked out of your device, then we have got just the right tips to help you fix that and access your phone once more.
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Have you previously backed up your data?
If the answer is yes, then you are in luck, since there are many options to unlock your phone and retrieve your data. Here’s how:
iTunes
Connect your phone to your computer device that you have previously synced it to. Open iTunes, and wait for it to sync and backup your phone. Once that is over, click on Restore iPhone and let the restoration process takes all the time it needs. Afterward, you will end up with the latest iOS software. When that is complete, the IOS setup will pop up on your screen, so you will need to press on restore from iTunes backup. When you do this, your phone will erase your old passcode and ask you to create a new one.
iCloud
If your smart device is synced with iCloud instead of iTunes, and you have Find My iPhone enabled, then you can easily erase your device from iCloud. Not only can you use this method if you’ve forgotten your passcode, but you can also use it if you no longer have physical access to your device. All you’ll need to do is open the iCloud dashboard on your computer device, log in using your Apple ID, click on all devices at the top, select your device, and then click on “Erase iPhone.”
Your device will instantly erase itself, which will delete everything including your password. You can then set up a new password and restore your backed-up data from either iCloud or iTunes, depending on where stored the latest backup.
If you haven’t backed up your phone
If you haven’t backed up your iPhone, then, you will need to restore it as new to be able to access it. Unfortunately, at this point, you will not be able to retrieve your data ,whether it is your photos, notes, videos or texts. Keep in mind that there are always ways to hack into your device and recover your data if you’ve forgotten your passcode, which is a method gaining popularity in the UK, but it’s unofficial and should be done at your own risk. That is why it is always recommended to regularly back up your data. Here’s how you can safely recover your phone with no backup:
Using recovery mode
This will be your only option if you have never synced your device with iCloud or iTunes. It will also erase all your data permanently, so give it a lot of thought before trying it. You will first need to connect your iPhone to your computer’s iTunes and then enter a hardware key combination. This key combination varies from one phone model to another. Here’s how:
- For iPhone 8 or higher, press and quickly release the volume up button, and then press and quickly release the volume down button. Afterwards, press and hold the side button and wait till you get the recovery mode screen pop up.
- For iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, press and hold the volume up and down buttons, till you get the recovery mode screen.
- For iPhone 6s and earlier, press and hold the home and the side buttons, till you get the recovery mode screen.
Once you start the recovery mode process, click on “Restore” to have your device retrieved. Your phone will download the latest software, which will take some time, then you can set up a new password.
We all have secrets on our phones, and protected data that we do not want anyone to access. Our passcodes were created to protect us from prying ones, but they can also be a real hassle once they are forgotten. To avoid that, make sure you have your passcode saved somewhere in a notebook or on your computer device so you can always find your way back in easily. If that sounds too risky for you, then just follow these guidelines next time you’re locked out of your phone.