If you forgot your iPhone passcode, Apple's official recommended solution is to restore your iPhone to factory settings to remove the passcode. However, many people don't like this method, because it's troublesome and may cause some unexpected problems that make the iPhone worse. So, here, we'll show you how to remove forgotten iPhone passcode without restore.
Why is it not a good choice to restore your iPhone
Apple offers you two ways to restore your iPhone of which you forgot your passcode, but both have their limitations and disadvantages. That's one of the reasons why many people want a way to remove forgotten iPhone passcode without restore.
1. If you restore your iPhone with iTunes, you must turn off Find My iPhone before you can restore your device. However, Find My iPhone is enabled by default on all iPhones, and few people turn it off. If you've forgotten your passcode and can't access your iPhone, you can't turn off Find My iPhone, and therefore can't perform a restore.
2. If you restore your iPhone using recovery mode, the process will be more cumbersome. Moreover, it's said that some people's iPhones get stuck in recovery mode loop, unable to exit, and eventually become unusable. This is not inevitable, but it actually happened.
Can I remove forgotten iPhone passcode without losing data
Frankly, unless you have backed up your iPhone using iTunes or iCloud before you forgot your passcode, you won't be able to save your data because any method to remove your forgotten iPhone passcode will also delete your personal data, including the methods given by Apple and any third-party methods. If you backed up your iPhone, you can restore your data after your passcode is removed, without worrying about data loss.
How to remove forgotten iPhone passcode without restore
Method 1: Using iCloud
iCloud contains Find My iPhone feature which was designed to facilitate the user to find a lost or stolen iPhone, but it also can be used to erase your iPhone to remove your forgotten passcode. Erase iPhone only wipes all your personal data and settings, including your passcode, but does not restore your iPhone to factory settings or change your iOS version. Compared to restoring iPhone, this method is much easier and safer. You need a device with internet access to follow these steps, such as a computer or smartphone.
Step 1: Use your Apple ID to sign in to iCloud.com in a web browser on any available device. The Apple ID should be the same as the one used on your iPhone. Once you've signed in, click the Find iPhone option.
Step 2: After you enter the Find My iPhone page, select your iPhone and click Erase iPhone, so all your data and settings will be deleted, including the passcode you forgot.
Method 2: Using iPhone Passcode Refixer
To remove your forgotten iPhone passcode without restoring your device, the second option is to use a professional iPhone passcode removal tool. iPhone Passcode Refixer is one such tool that allows you to remove your forgotten iPhone passcode with just a few clicks of your mouse, without having to perform a restore using iTunes. Make sure you have a Windows computer, and follow these steps. If you don't have a Windows computer, borrow one from a friend.
Step 1: Download and install the iPhone Passcode Refixer on your computer. After installation, launch it.
DownloadStep 2: On the main interface, click Unlock Lock Screen, and on the next page, click Start to proceed.
Step 3: Make sure your iPhone is connected to the computer and click Next, so the software will recognize your iPhone.
Step 4: Once the software recognizes your iPhone, you will see the following screen. Click Download to download the firmware package for your iPhone. The download will start automatically and complete in a few minutes. Just keep your iPhone connected to the computer and wait for the progress to complete.
Step 5: Everything is ready. Now click the Unlock button, and the software will start removing your iPhone passcode immediately. Then just wait for the delete process to complete. It takes only a few minutes.
Step 6: When "Unlock Screen Successfully" is displayed on the software screen, your iPhone passcode has been removed. Then you can re-set up and use your device.
The Bottom Line:
The above are two simple and effective ways to remove forgotten iPhone passcode without performing restore. They may not be perfect, but at least can ensure the safety of your iPhone, without you having to worry about making your iPhone unusable due to improper operation.
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iPhones are notoriously difficult to break into. If you have a unique passcode set up, it's almost impossible for someone to get in without your permission. But this also works the other way around. If you need to open an iPhone but don't have the password, or it's disabled, your only option to unlock it is to do a factory reset. Luckily, there are two ways to reset an iPhone without the password so you can access it. You can use a computer to access recovery mode and reset your iPhone to get in without the password. If you have a Mac you'll be using Finder, and if it's a PC you'll be using iTunes — which you need to download first.How to reset an iPhone using Finder or iTunes
Note: You'll be able to restore your data if you've backed up your iPhone.
1. Turn the iPhone off. The exact way to do this will depend on what kind of iPhone you have:
2. Once your iPhone is off, plug it into your computer and put it into recovery mode. To do this, you'll need to press a certain combination of buttons:
3. Keep holding the button and connect the phone to your laptop. Keep holding the button until the recovery mode screen appears. It'll have a picture of a laptop with a charging cable.
4. Once ready, open Finder or iTunes and open the iPhone menu. If you're using Finder, click your iPhone's name in the left sidebar. In iTunes, click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner.
5. You'll be shown a message saying that the iPhone has a "problem" and needs to be updated or restored. Select Restore.
Restore the iPhone, don't update it. William Antonelli/Insider
6. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer as it resets and restores the iPhone. Time can vary, so be patient.
Once the process finishes, turn your iPhone on and set it up like a new device. When you're asked if you'd like to restore data from a backup, feel free to sign into iCloud and do so.
How to reset an iPhone using Find My
If you have an Apple ID account, your iPhone is probably connected to Find My, Apple's global device tracking network. This service also lets you reset and erase your iPhone without having the password for it.
1. On a computer, go to iCloud's website and log into your account.
Quick tip: If you can't log into iCloud because you don't have a trusted device or working phone anymore, you'll need to contact Apple for help recovering your account.
2. In the main menu, click Find iPhone.
Open the Find My menu. Apple; William Antonelli/Insider
3. You'll be given a map of all your devices. Click All Devices at the top and then select your iPhone.
4. In the pop-up menu that appears, click Erase iPhone.
Select your iPhone, then erase it from the menu. Apple; William Antonelli/Insider
5. Enter your Apple ID password to erase your iPhone. You may be prompted to answer a security question if you aren't using a trusted browser.
As long as your iPhone is on and connected to the internet, it'll be reset immediately.
Quick tip: If your iPhone is lost, you should indicate that during the erasure process and give an alternative method of contact.
Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews
William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at .
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