6 Easy Ways to Unlock Forgotten iPhone Passcode without Restore

Macworld

An iPhone passcode is a security feature in the form of a four-digit number or longer code, used to protect your device from unauthorized access. But what happens when you lose or forget this passcode?

There are various situations in which you might need to unlock your iPhone but you don’t want to restore the data on it, such as when you forget your passcode, enter it incorrectly too many times, or purchase a second-hand device without knowing its passcode.

If you forget your passcode, traditional unlocking methods usually involve restoring device, which erases everything. But this doesn’t have to be the case.

In this article, we share six ways to unlock your iDevice if you forgot the iPhone passcode without restoring its data, including using the reliable tool Tenorshare 4uKey iPhone Unlocker.

Forgot iPhone Passcode Without Restore: 6 Solutions

If you want to know how to unlock iPhone when you forgot the passcode, you can choose between a third-party tool like Tenorshare 4uKey iPhone Unlocker or five other solutions.

We’ve broken down step-by-step each solution in this article, but if you don’t have time to read the whole article, we’ve also summarized the solutions in the table below:

MethodDescriptionEase of UseTenorshare 4uKey iPhone UnlockerUnlocks iPhone without resetting, removes screen locks, iCloud activation locks, and Apple ID without needing the original password.Very easy (few clicks, no skills needed).Security Lockout Screen ResetAfter multiple incorrect attempts, reset iPhone from Lock Screen (iOS 15.2 or later).Easy (built into the system).Find MyRemotely erase your iPhone using Find My feature.Moderate (requires iCloud login).iCloudRemotely erase your iPhone using iCloud.Moderate (requires iCloud login).iTunes Backup DecryptionRestore your iPhone from an iTunes backup to regain access without losing data.Moderate (requires iTunes and backup).Apple Watch or Apple StoreUnlock your iPhone by raising your Apple Watch and glancing at it, provided Face ID is set up.   Apple Store professionals can unlock your iPhone, if you don’t have a paired Apple Watch.Very easy (hands-free unlocking).         Moderate (may require visiting the store).

Unlock Forgotten iPhone Passcode Without Restore in Minutes [Recommended]

What should you do if you forgot your iPhone passcode? A simple way to unlock the iPhone without data loss and backup is using Tenorshare 4uKey iPhone Unlocker. Here are the primary functions of this tool:

No Resetting, Safe – It can unlock your device without resetting it, ensuring no data loss. It removes screen locks, iCloud activation locks, and Apple ID, without requiring original password, allowing you to set up your device as new.

No Skills Required – The software is user-friendly, making it accessible to anyone. You don’t need any technical knowledge to remove passcodes, MDM locks, or Screen Time restrictions.

Unlock in a Few Clicks – With just a few simple steps, 4uKey quickly unlocks your iOS device, bypassing all types of screen locks, Touch ID, Face ID, and even Apple ID. There’s no need for iTunes or iCloud backup.

Supports Latest iOS 18 and iPhone Model – 4uKey is compatible with all iOS versions, including latest iOS 18. It’s compatible with iPhone models up to iPhone 15, as well as older versions like iPhone 14, 13, 12, and earlier.

Follow the instructions below to unlock your iDevice if Apple forgot the iPhone passcode with the help of Tenorshare 4uKey:

Step 1: Download, install, and launch Tenorshare 4uKey iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Click Start.








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Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the PC. 4uKey will detect the iPhone. Next, download the matching firmware package.








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Step 3: 4uKey will automatically begin unlocking your iPhone. Once it removes the passcode, you can create a new one.








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Forgot iPhone Passcode Without Restore Video Guide

Unlock Forgotten iPhone Passcode Without Restore Without Computer

You can unlock your iDevice if forgot the iPhone lock code without restore and using a computer from the Security Lockout Screen, depending on your iOS version. This feature appears after multiple incorrect passcode attempts. Here’s how to unlock iPhone when you forgot the passcode by resetting it from the Lock Screen:

Step 1: In iOS 17, keep entering the wrong passcode until your iPhone displays “Forgot Passcode?”. Click this, then press “Start iPhone Reset.”








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Step 2: If you are using iOS 15.2, you should instead tap “iPhone Unavailable” or “Security Lockout” screen. You’ll need to wait for a short period before trying again. Click “Erase iPhone” when it appears on bottom right of the screen.








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Step 3: Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your Apple ID.








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Step 4: Tap “Erase iPhone” again. This will erase all the data and settings on your device. After resetting, follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

Pros:

Unlock iDevice if forgot iPhone passcode without restore and computer.

Quickest method that doesn’t require iTunes or installation of a third-party app.

Cons:

You won’t be able to use this method if you’ve forgotten your Apple ID.

This method will wipe all data on your iPhone.

Unlock Forgot iPhone Passcode without Restore Free

Here’s how to unlock your iPhone when you have forgotten your passcode but you’ve got a backup or have enabled Find My on your iDevice. Both these methods don’t require you to use a computer – you can unlock your iPhone from another iPhone or iPad. Here’s how to reset your iPhone if you’ve forgotten the passcode for free with the help of iCloud and the Find My feature:

Method 1: Use Find My

When enabled, Apple’s Find My feature allows you to pinpoint your iDevice location and remotely erase its data. You can also use it to factory reset an iPhone if you’ve forgotten the passcode.

How to Prepare:

Have a device with internet access to log into iCloud.

Make sure the Find My feature is turned on in your iPhone settings.

Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Head to iCloud.com and sign into your account.








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Step 2: Open Find My. Select All devices, then choose your iPhone.








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Step 3: Click Erase iPhone. Confirm by entering the Apple ID you used to set up your iPhone.








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Pros:

Can remotely unlock your iPhone if you don’t want to use a computer.

It’s ideal if you can’t access your iPhone or use the Forgot Password? option.

Cons:

Won’t work if you haven’t enabled the Find My feature.

Will wipe all data on your iPhone.

You must remember your Apple ID to use this method.

Requires a Wi-Fi connection on iPhone.

This method won’t remove Activation Lock.

Method 2: iCloud

You can also easily unlock your iDevice with iCloud if you forgot iPhone passcode without restore for free. Unlike the Find My feature, which is accessed through the app on your device or other Apple devices, iCloud can be accessed through any web browser on any device.

Here’s how to unlock iPhone if forgot passcode using iCloud:

Step 1: Head to icloud.com/find in your browser and sign in using your Apple ID.

Step 2: Select All Devices and choose your iPhone. Click Erase iPhone and follow the prompts to complete the process.