If your iPhone is disabled, you will see ‘This iPhone is disabled’ message and you won’t be able to access your iPhone. You will find below the steps to Unlock Disabled iPhone.
Unlock Disabled iPhone
By default, iPhone gets temporarily disabled when an incorrect Lock Screen Passcode is entered multiple times, before becoming permanently disabled, if more incorrect password attempts are made.
This security feature is designed to prevent unauthorized access to your Lost or Stolen iPhone and to prevent anyone from trying to guess the Lock Screen Passcode on your device.
Once iPhone becomes permanently disabled, the only way to gain access to your device is to Erase the Lock Screen Passcode, which also erases the entire data on your iPhone.
After the Lock Screen Passcode is erased, your iPhone won’t be prompting you to enter the Password and you will be able to gain access to your device.
You will find below, different methods to Unlock Disabled iPhone by erasing its Lock Screen Passcode.
1. Unlock Disabled iPhone Using iCloud
If you had previously enabled Find iPhone feature on your device, you will be able to erase the Lock Screen Passcode and unlock your disabled iPhone using iCloud.
After erasing iPhone, you can Restore iPhone using an iCloud Backup (if available) or setup your device as New iPhone (if no backup is available).
1. Visit iCloud.com on your computer and sign-in to your iCloud Account.
2. Once you are in iCloud, click on Find iPhone icon.
3. When prompted, Sign-in using your Apple ID Password.
4. On the next screen, click on All Devices option and select the iPhone that you want to Erase.
5. On the next screen, click on Erase iPhone option.
6. On the confirmation pop-up, tap on the Erase option to confirm.
7. Once the data on your iPhone is erased, you will see your iPhone starting with the Hello Screen.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions, until you reach ‘Apps & Data’ Screen. If a backup is available, select Restore From iCloud option. If not, select Set up as New iPhone option.
9. Wait for the Restore Process to be completed.
After the restore process is completed, you will be able to Login to your iPhone without entering any password.
2. Unlock Disabled iPhone Using Recovery Mode
This method requires a Mac or Windows computer with iTunes installed on it and a Lighting to USB cable.
1. Power OFF iPhone
The first step is to completely Power OFF your device by using steps as applicable for your model of iPhone.
iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone X and later: Press and hold Volume Down and Side button (ON/OFF), until you see Slide to Power OFF option. Drag the Slider to turn OFF iPhone.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold Side button (ON/OFF), until the Power OFF slider appears. Drag the Slider to Power OFF iPhone.
iPhone 6/6s/5/5s and earlier: Press and hold the Power button (ON/OFF), until you see Slide to Power OFF screen. Drag the Slider to Power OFF iPhone.
2. Enter Recovery Mode
After iPhone is powered OFF, connect iPhone to computer and follow the steps as applicable for your model of iPhone.
Note: If you are using Windows computer, open or launch iTunes, before connecting iPhone to computer.
iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone X and later: Press and hold the Volume Down button and connect iPhone to computer. Continue Holding the Volume Down button, until you see Recovery Mode screen.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume Down button and connect iPhone to computer. Continue Holding the Volume Down button, until you see Recovery Mode screen.
iPhone 6/6s/5/5s and earlier: Press and hold the Home button and connect iPhone to computer. Keep holding the Home button, until you see Recovery Mode Screen (iTunes Logo and Cable)
Note: Do not release the button as you see your iPhone starting with Apple Logo. Continue holding the button, until you see Recovery Mode Screen (iTunes Logo with cable).
3. Restore iPhone Using iTunes
Once iPhone enters recovery mode, you will see an iTunes pop-up on the screen of your computer, click on the Restore option and wait for the Restore process to be completed.
4. Setup iPhone Using Backup or As New Device
Once the Restore process is completed, you will find your device starting with ‘Hello’ screen.
Follow the on-screen instructions, until you reach ‘Apps & Data’ Screen. If a backup is available, select Restore From iCloud or iTunes option. If not, select Set up as New iPhone option.
After completing the setup process, you will be able to access your iPhone and use it as before.
3. Unlock Disabled iPhone Using DFU Mode Restore
If you are unable to put iPhone in Recovery Mode, you can try to Unlock iPhone using DFU Mode.
DFU Mode will erase all the data on your iPhone, including its Lock Screen Passcode and provide you with the option to restore as New iPhone or restore from an iTunes or iCloud Backup.
The steps to put iPhone into DFU Mode vary, depending the model of your iPhone and can be found in this guide: How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone.