How to Unlock iPhone with iTunes: Detailed Steps

If you enter incorrect passcodes multiple times on your iOS device, you'll encounter the "iPhone is disabled" message. There are two variations of this message:

 "iPhone is disabled try again in [time period]."

 "iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes."

The former suggests you can still unlock the iPhone if you remember the correct passcode within a specified time. The latter requires you to reset your device using iTunes to remove the passcode.

However, if you forget your iPhone passcode and need to unlock the device, there are alternative solutions besides using iTunes. Below, we outline all viable methods to unlock a disabled iPhone.

 Note: The sole solution to unlock a disabled iPhone is to perform a device reset, which results in the deletion of all data and settings. Therefore, regardless of the method you select, all data on the iPhone will be lost unless a backup was created beforehand.

How to unlock iPhone with iTunes

When you're unable to remember your iPhone passcode, performing a factory reset becomes the only solution. To factory reset an iPhone without the passcode, iTunes is the official method.

Here's how to unlock your iPhone using iTunes:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone with the computer > Launch iTunes.

Step 2: Power off your iPhone.

Step 3: Enter recovery mode by pressing and holding the Side/Volume Down/Home button while connecting your iPhone to the computer. Hold the button until the recovery mode screen appears.

For iPhone 8 and later, use the Side button.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus, use the Volume Down button.

For iPhone SE (1st generation), use the Home button.

Step 4: Click on your iPhone icon in iTunes.

Step 5: A prompt will appear, asking whether to restore or update your iPhone. Choose "Restore."

Step 6: Wait for the restoration process to finish. Then, set up and use your device again.

If you encounter any issues during the process, refer to Apple's guide for further assistance.

Now you can know how to reset iPhone with iTunes when disabled.

How to unlock iPhone without iTunes

What if you're without access to a computer? Can you unlock your iPhone wirelessly? Yes, you can, provided you've activated the Find My iPhone feature. With Find My iPhone enabled, you can access iCloud.com and remotely erase your iPhone.

Here's how to unlock your iPhone wirelessly:

Step 1: Visit iCloud.com on another functioning device and log in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2: Select "Find iPhone" and click on "All Devices."

Step 3: Choose "Erase iPhone" > "Erase."

Step 4: Proceed with setting up your iPhone.

Bonus: How to back up iPhone to avoid data loss

For iPhone user, if you need to protect your iPhone data from loss, the professional iPhone data backup software - FoneTool can be the most ideal choice.

Highlights:

 Fast backup speed saves lots of time and 1000+ photos can be backed up within minutes.

 Flexible backup methods allow you to selectively or fully back up iPhone as you like.

 Stable USB connections offer you a smooth and safe transfer process.

 Wide compatibility supports backing up various iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch models on Windows PCs, even the latest ones.

Now you can click the button to download FoneTool on your PC and learn from the detailed steps to back up your iPhone.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the PC with a USB cable > Launch FoneTool and choose Phone Backup > Go to Full Backup > Click Get Started to continue. (Or you can go to Selective Backup to back up partial iPhone data.)

Step 2. Check Enable Backup Encryption as you like to protect your privacy > Choose a backup storage path on PC > Tap on Start Backup to start. (You can also change the storage path to backup iPhone to an external drive.)

Step 3. Next time if you need to restore your iPhone backup, you can go to the My Backups page and click the Restore dot to make it.

Conclusion

Now you can know how to unlock iPhone with or without iTunes efficiently. Hope this guide can really solve your problem efficiently. To protect iPhone data from loss, the professional FoneTool will be your good helper.

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• iPhone 16 Supported

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