If you forgot your iPhone passcode, use your Mac or PC to reset it (2024)

• Forgotten the passcode on your iPad?
• Forgotten the passcode on your iPodtouch?
• Use your iPhone to reset your iPhone passcode
• Use your old passcode to temporarily access your iPhone or iPad in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or later

If you enter the wrong passcode on your iPhone Lock Screen too many times, an alert lets you know that your iPhone has been disabled. (Find out what to do if you see "[Device] unavailable" or "Security Lockout" on your iPhone or iPad.)

If you can't remember your passcode when you try again, use a computer to put your iPhone in recovery mode. Recovery mode allows you to erase the iPhone, giving you access to set it up again. You will need your Apple ID and password to set your iPhone up again.

After you've erased your iPhone, you can restore your data and settings from a backup. If you didn't back up your iPhone, you can set it up as a new device and then download any data you have in iCloud.

This process requires a Mac or PC. If you're using a PC, make sure that it has Windows 10 or later, and that theApple Devices app oriTunesis installed.You also need the cable that came with your iPhone or another compatible cable to connect your iPhone to the computer.

If you don't have a computer and you can't borrow one, you’ll need to go to anApple Retail Store or Apple Authorised Service Providerfor help.

1. Unplug your iPhone from the computer if it's connected.
2. Turn off your iPhone using the method for your iPhone model:
   • iPhone8, iPhone8Plus, iPhoneX and later, including iPhoneSE (2nd and 3rd generation): Press and hold both the side button and the Volume down button until the power off slider appears.
     
   • iPhone7, iPhone7Plus, iPhone6s and iPhone6: Press and hold the sidebutton until the power off slider appears.
     
   • iPhoneSE (1st generation), iPhone5s and earlier: Press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears.

     

3. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone, then wait a minute to make sure it turns off completely.

1. Get ready by finding the button on your iPhone that you'll need to hold in the next step:
   
   • iPhone8, iPhone8Plus, iPhoneX and later, including iPhoneSE (2nd and 3rd generation)use the side button.
     
   • iPhone7 and iPhone7Plus: Usethe volume down button.
     
   • iPhoneSE (1st generation), and iPhone6s and earlier: Use the Home button.
     
2. Press and hold the correct button for your iPhone while immediately connecting your iPhone to the computer.
3. Continue to hold the button while the Apple logo appears, and don't let go of the button until the image of a computer and cable appears.

If you see the passcode screen, you need toturn off your iPhoneand start again.

If you can't get your iPhone to show the recovery mode screen and you need help, contact AppleSupport.

1. Locate your iPhone in the Finder, or in iTunes or the Apple Devices app if you connect to a PC.(find out how to find your connected iPhone.)
2. Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update. Your computer downloads software for your iPhone and begins the restore process. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, thenturn off your iPhone and start again.
   
3. Wait for the process to finish.When the process has finished, your device will restart and display a setup screen.
4. Disconnect your iPhone from the computer, thenset up and use your iPhone.

Find out what to do if you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod

Find out how to change your iPhone passcode

Find out how to use iCloud to erase and restore your iPhone

If you can't complete any of these steps, if you're still prompted for a passcode or if you need any other assistance,contact AppleSupport.