What to do when your iPhone is disabled
Regain access to your device swiftly
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Understanding what to do when your iPhone is disabled can save you from the fear of being locked out of your device.
An iPhone gets disabled because of multiple incorrect passcode attempts. Inputting the wrong passcode a few times disables the iPhone for a minute, with subsequent incorrect attempts increasing the timespan to up to one hour. And owing toApple’s robust security measures, there’s no way to unlock a disabled iPhone without the passcode.
However, you can regain access to your iPhone with recovery methods. Although these methods will wipe your device, you can restore the content using the latest backup.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll go over how to unlock your iPhone when it’s disabled. And once you’re done recovering your iPhone, consider thesebest iPhone antivirus appsto enhance your security.
Tools and requirements
Steps for recovering your disabled iPhone with a Mac or Windows computer
Step-by-step guide to recover your disabled iPhone with a Mac or Windows computer
1. Turn off your iPhone
Turn off your iPhoneusing the relevant buttons for your model.
For iPhone X, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, or later:Pressandholdtheside buttonand thevolume down buttonuntil thepower off sliderappears.Dragtheslidertoturn offthe device, and wait 30 seconds to confirm it’s turned off.
For iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation), 8, 7, or earlier:Pressandholdthepower buttontill thepower off sliderappears.Dragtheslidertoturn offthe device, and wait 30 seconds to confirm it’s turned off.
2. Enter recovery mode
Depending on your iPhone model, put it intorecovery modeusing therelevant button:
3. Connect your iPhone to a computer
Whileholdingthe relevantbutton,connectyouriPhoneto thecomputerusing acable.
Keepholdingthebuttonwhen theApple logoappears, anddon’t release it untilthecomputer and cable iconappear.
4. Restore your iPhone
FindyouriPhonein theFinderor oniTunes.
Select Restorewhen you get the option to choose betweenRestoreandUpdate.
Once complete, yourdevicewillrestart, and you canset up your iPhoneand use it.
Tools and requirements
Steps for recovering your disabled iPhone with iCloud
Step-by-step guide to recover your disabled iPhone using iCloud
1. Visit iCloud on the browser
Openabrowseron yourcomputer,navigatetoicloud.com/find, andlog in.
2. Select the disabled iPhone and Erase
Clickthedisabled iPhone,select Erase This Device, thenclick Nextandfollowtheonscreen promptstowipeyour device.
Afterward, go through the iPhone setup process andrestore the deviceusing your recent iCloud or iTunes backup.
Final thoughts
A disabled iPhone can appear daunting, but you can swiftly regain access to your device with the steps above. In case the steps didn’t work for you, you’ll want to consult a specialist at an Apple Store (or a verified third-party service) for support.
For more iPhone tips, explore our guides onhow to show the battery percentage on your iPhone,how to use the new NameDrop feature, andhow to make Contact Posters in iOS 17.
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Nikshep Myle is a freelance writer covering tech, health, and wellbeing. He has written for popular tech blogs like Tom’s Guide, GadgetReview, SlashGear, and Creative Bloq, and has extensively reviewed consumer gadgets. When he’s not writing, you’ll find him meditating, gaming, discovering new music, and indulging in adventurous and creative pursuits.
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