Unfortunately, there is no single universal or secret passcode that can unlock any iPhone.
But there are a couple of reliable solutions that can help you out when you forget your passcode or want to unlock any iPhone.
Use iTunes
You can use iTunes to reset your iPhone and set it up as a new device. This action will erase all the data on your phone, including passcodes. Follow the guide below to reset your iPhone using iTunes.
- Open iTunes on your computer and install the latest version.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
- Go to “Summary” and click on “Backup Now” to backup your data.
- Next, click on “Restore iPhone”.
- After the restoration ends, select “Restore from iTunes Backup”. Pick the latest backup from iTunes.
- Your iPhone will reboot as new, and you can set it up with a new passcode.
Use Find My iPhone
You can also use Find My iPhone to unlock an iPhone without the passcode. First, you must make sure the iPhone is synced with iCloud and the Find My iPhone feature is turned On. Next, follow the steps below:
- Connect your iPhone to a network. This could be 4G or Wi-Fi.
- Open iCloud on another device and log in to your account.
- Click on the “Devices” tab.
- Choose the device you want to unlock.
- Click on “Erase iPhone”.
- Confirm that you want to erase your iPhone.
- This will erase all the data in the iPhone, including the passcode, thus allowing you to gain access once the device restarts.
Use recovery mode
If the device is not synced with iTunes, iCloud, or PC/Mac, you’ll have to use recovery mode to erase the passcode and other data. This method deletes the information permanently.
Follow the steps below:
- Open iTunes on your computer and install the latest version.
- Put your iPhone in recovery mode and connect it to the computer. Here is a guide to put different iPhone models in recovery mode.
- For iPhone 8 and later versions, you’ll press and release the volume up button quickly, followed by the volume down button, then press and hold Recovery Mode appears on your iPhone screen.
- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus users should press and hold the power button and volume down button simultaneously until Recovery Mode appears on your iPhone screen.
- For iPhone 6s and earlier versions, you’ll press and hold the power button and home button simultaneously until Recovery Mode appears on the iPhone screen.
- Launch iTunes/Finder. The iTunes logo will appear on your iPhone’s screen while it’s in recovery mode.
- A pop-up showing that there’s a problem with your device will appear on the screen.
- You’ll have the option to either “Update” or “Restore”.
- Select “Restore”.
- iTunes will start downloading and installing the latest software version on your iPhone.
- Once the restoration is complete, your iPhone will restart.
- There will be no passcode.
- Disconnect your iPhone and finish the setup process.
Use Siri
You can trick Siri to help you unlock your iPhone without a passcode. Here is how to go about it:
- Press and hold the Home button to activate Siri.
- Ask Siri what time it is.
- A clock will appear on the screen. Click on it.
- This will bring the world clock/stopwatch/alarm/timer on your screen. Select the timer.
- Choose when the timer ends.
- Look for the ringtone list and select “Buy more tones”.
- You’ll be directed to the Apple Store.
- Click on the home button and the main phone screen will open without putting a passcode.
- You now have access to the iPhone.
If one of the procedures doesn’t execute, start again. You might need more than one try. Also, this is the closest you’ll get to a secret code to unlock an iPhone without a computer.
NOTE: This only works for iOS 10.3.2 and 10.3.3.
Use third-party tools
There are several third-party apps and software that can help you unlock an iPhone without the passcode or face ID.
A simple search online will get you some viable options that you must download and install on your computer, launch, then connect your locked iPhone and follow the specific guidelines for that software to unlock the iPhone.
You should note that most of the apps come at a small fee.
Turn off the passcode on your iPhone
Those who are prone to forgetting their passcodes should consider putting simple codes that are easy to remember or removing the passcode entirely.
However, the latter can be a problem if you keep important data on your iPhone because anybody can access it when they get hold of the phone.
Even though there’s no single universal code or a secret passcode that can unlock any iPhone, these tips come in handy when you forget your passcode. They’re easy to execute and take very little time. Try them out and give us your feedback in the comment section.
Alex is an IT technician who shares his experiences with Apple devices occasionally. He has a collection of Apple devices (from iPhone 4) and has recently started trying out Android.
IG: @I M_Alex