Unlocking iPhone: 5 Proven Methods to Successfully Bypass 99% Disabled iPhones

While using your iPhone, there might be instances where you unintentionally forget your phone password. Inputting the wrong password too many times can lead to your iPhone getting disabled, making it impossible to access the lock screen. If you're facing such a situation and are clueless about the cause and solution, check out the article below. Mytour will reveal 5 methods to unlock a disabled iPhone with a high success rate that anyone can easily follow.

Understanding Why an iPhone Gets Disabled – “iPhone is disabled”

There are various reasons for an iPhone to be disabled, but two common causes you'll often encounter are as follows:

iPhone Disabled: Connect to iTunes

This is a common scenario when iPhone users input the wrong password multiple times. Apple's security feature allows up to 10 incorrect password attempts. From the 5th attempt onward, the iPhone gets disabled. At this point, you can still enter the password after a specified time (retry after 1 minute for 6 incorrect attempts, retry after 60 minutes for 9 incorrect attempts). On the 10th attempt, the iPhone gets disabled, requiring you to connect to iTunes to unlock.

iPhone Disabled Due to Absence of iCloud

Another prevalent scenario causing iPhone to be disabled is when the user's phone lacks iCloud. Alternatively, users may have iCloud but fail to update the account over time, or they might even forget the iCloud account password. In the case of forgetting the iCloud password, the iPhone remains locked for an extended period, rendering the device unusable.

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How to Unlock iPhone Disabled: Connect to iTunes

After exploring the common reasons behind iPhone getting disabled, what are the remedies? Detailed information will be shared by Mytour in the upcoming sections.

When iPhone has never connected and synchronized with iTunes on a computer

For an iPhone that hasn't synchronized with iTunes on a computer, you need to switch your locked iPhone to DFU mode. DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) roughly translates to “device software upgrade.” This is one of the solutions to restore iPhone and iPad devices based on the firmware versions released by Apple.

Follow these steps: 

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer using a USB cable. Then, open the iTunes application on your computer/laptop. 

Step 2: Put your iPhone into DFU mode by simultaneously holding the Home button (for iPhone X and above, hold the volume button on the left side) and the power button. Wait until the iPhone powers off, then release the power button but keep holding the home button (or volume button) to put the device into DFU mode.

Step 3: Hold your iPhone until the computer displays the message “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes”.

Step 4: Press OK to initiate the Restore process. Finally, click “Restore iPhone” on the iTunes screen on your computer.

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When iPhone regularly connects and syncs, back up with iTunes on a computer

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to iTunes on your computer using a USB cable. Upon successful connection, the computer screen will display the text “Back Up Now” to back up data on the iPhone.

Step 2: Wait for the backup process to complete, then select “Restore iPhone”, and choose the most recent backup.

Step 3: Once the backup is complete, you can use your iPhone normally. You can set a new iPhone password in the Settings section.

Unlocking Disabled iPhone with iCloud

If you can't use iTunes through a laptop connection as mentioned above, apply the method of unlocking iPhone with iCloud step by step as follows:

Step 1: Visit the link https://www.icloud.com/ and log in with your Apple ID account.

Step 2: Click on “Find iPhone”, then proceed to click on “All Devices” and select the correct iPhone you are using.

Step 3: Afterward, look at the top right corner of the screen and choose “Erase iPhone”. If your iPhone displays the warning “Erase This iPhone?”, simply press “Erase”.

With this method, all data on your iPhone will be completely wiped to restore it to a brand-new state. This is also a way to locate a lost iPhone, simultaneously safeguarding your data quickly and efficiently. However, if your phone holds significant data you don't want to lose, consider applying other methods below.

Fixing Locked iPhone with Recovery Mode

You can unlock an iPhone quickly by putting it into Recovery Mode. This method will erase all data on the iPhone. It's recommended for phones without crucial data. Alternatively, if you're not concerned about data loss, you can proceed with this method.

Here are the steps to follow: 

Step 1: Turn off your phone. Disconnect all other connections, such as computers or other devices.

Step 2: Reconnect your iPhone to the computer using a cable. Then, press and hold the Home button (or both the power and volume buttons) for a few seconds until the message “Connect to iTunes” appears, then release your hand.

Step 3: Press OK, then select “Restore iPhone” displayed on the screen and choose the most recent backup for the phone to initiate the restoration process.

How to Unlock iPhone with 3uTools

3uTools is the most comprehensive and convenient iPhone management tool. When your iPhone is disabled, you can use the 3uTools software if you don't have an iCloud account.

Here are the steps to unlock iPhone with 3uTools:  

Step 1: Install the latest 3uTools app on your computer using the link http://www.3u.com/. Then, open the app and navigate to the “Flash & JB” section.

Step 2: Here, press “Download” if you see any Firmware versions that Apple has not activated. If you have previously downloaded Firmware, simply choose “Import”.

Step 3: Now, you will have two options: “Retain User’s Data While Flashing” and “Flash”. If you want to upgrade and keep all your data, select “Retain User’s Data While Flashing”. Conversely, if you only want to restore, choose “Flash” and let 3uTools start the restoration process. Just wait for this process to be successfully completed.

Unlocking iPhone with Touch ID and Face ID

Touch ID has been present since the iPhone 5 up to the iPhone 8. Face ID, on the other hand, has been available since the iPhone X and continues to the present. These are secure and convenient security features for Apple device users. If your phone is disabled, you can use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock it. However, the condition is that you must set up Face ID or Touch ID for your device.

Frequently Asked Questions about Disabled iPhones

Here is a compilation of the reasons and methods to quickly and easily unlock a disabled iPhone. If you forget your password and your iPhone is locked, don't worry too much; just follow the methods shared by Mytour! If you find the article helpful, please share it with more people. Don't forget to follow Mytour Blog to stay updated on many tips and trends for 2023!