A complete guide on how to get into a locked iPhone (if the phone is locked) or if you are without a passcode.
Sudden blockages can occur in older iPhone models due to the use of an application that requires more RAM than the phone’s real possibilities. Thus, those who do not know how to get into the locked iPhone find themselves with a locked iPhone. In the past, it was sufficient to remove the removable battery in Android smartphones and reinsert it to resolve the situation. For Apple devices, however, the procedure to follow is different.
Another borderline case where you need to unlock the iPhone is to forget your passcode or don’t have it. In a similar situation, it is useful to have enabled iPhone unlocking by fingerprint. Still, it is also essential to have previously synchronized with iTunes and back up the data in the internal memory of the mobile phone, such as photos and videos, since the recovery mode that must be activated will restore the device to factory conditions.
Below we will explain how to unlock the iPhone if the phone is locked or disabled, failing to enter the code after several attempts. In the guide, we will illustrate the procedure to be put into practice with all the models marketed so far by Apple: iPhone 6S and previous models, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7S, iPhone 8, iPhone X, and later models.
How to unlock locked iPhone
When using a “heavy” application, which requires additional effort to RAM, and in the meantime, other previously used apps are kept open in the background, you can run into a lock of the screen: any pressure exerted on display is not recognized by the system, to make the phone unusable. Hence the need to unlock a locked iPhone.
If we are unable to interact with the iPhone, which continues to return only a black screen or a locked screen, the operation to be performed on all models consists of the forced restart. In this regard, it is essential to distinguish the cases in which the iPhone is locked or disabled. In the second circumstance, the fault is to be attributed only to incorrect entry of the access code.
Necessary: the forced restart of the iPhone does not imply the factory reset of the phone and, consequently, the loss of all the data previously saved in the internal memory. Instead, it occurs during the recovery mode, which we will discuss later.
Unlock locked iPhone 6S or earlier models
To open bolted iPhone 6S or past models, keep the Home catch (center catch), and the top score squeezed all the while until the Apple logo shows up on the presentation. At that point, the phone follows the standard reboot procedure, which requires the access code and any PIN code registered by the user.
If more than 10 seconds elapse after pressing the Home buttons and the upper button without the Apple logo displayed, we recommend trying the alternative combination suggested by the same official website of the US company: Home button + side button. Again, pressing the keys must be mandatory simultaneously.
Forced reboot key combination on iPhone 6S and previous models: Home key + top (or side) key
Important : This procedure is valid on iPhone 6S, iPhone 6, iPhone SE, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5C, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPhone models.
Unlock iPhone 7 or iPhone 7S locked
The constrained restart strategy to open iPhone 7 or iPhone 7S from a bolted circumstance can be empowered by holding down the side catch and the volume down catch at the same time until the Apple logo shows up. As we have seen for iPhone 6S and past models, if the constrained reboot is performed effectively, iPhone 7 or iPhone 7S experience a typical deferment that goes to determine the obstructing of the showcase or the exemplary dark screen.
Also for the two iPhone models marketed starting from the last quarter of 2016 we repeat the same speech made for iPhone 6S and previous phones: this form of restart does not cause the loss of data saved in the internal memory of the device, it is not necessary therefore have a backup of your files.
Unlock locked iPhone 8 or later
Beginning with iPhone 8, going through iPhone X and the most recent XS, XR, and XS Max models, Apple has changed the constrained restart system. To open a bolted iPhone 8 or iPhone X, you should press and discharge the volume up and volume down keys, then keep the side catch squeezed until the Apple logo shows up on the showcase.
Even if the key combination is different from that of the previous models, the concept of forced restart remains the same. This means that even on iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone 8, the restart procedure by pressing the side button after releasing the volume up and down keys does not imply any loss of data, which remain stored on the device.
In case of problems during the forced restart
Nine times out of ten, the forced reboot of the iPhone occurs without problems, solving the lock registered by the user a few minutes before. However, it may happen that during the procedure, the phone does not turn on or start. The first tip we give is to connect the device to the power outlet and keep it charged for a minimum of 60 minutes, then trying to repeat the procedure.
If the phone continues not to give signs of life, we suggest performing a hard reset through the recovery mode, which in theory should only be performed when the iPhone is disabled because the access code has been forgotten.
How to unlock iPhone disabled
After various errors in entering the unlock code, the iPhone is disabled. To reuse it, you need to remove the system through a particular procedure, known as recovery mode. As already explained in the introduction, this action involves the loss of all data in memory, which can, however, be recovered by loading a previous backup via iTunes, provided that it was performed before the iPhone was disabled.
Before forcing the restart and thus entering the recovery mode, you need to start iTunes on the computer, then connect the iPhone to the desktop device. Once the connection is made, the screen titled “A problem has occurred with the iPhone, so you need to update or restore your device” on your computer, where you will have to click on the Restore button. Automatically, iTunes will install the software again, restoring the phone to factory conditions.
The client should then recurrent the underlying arrangement of the gadget, the equivalent performed at the hour of the main force on after the buy. Now, you can, at last, transfer the reinforcement made already through synchronization with the iTunes program.
Important: the key combination required to enter recovery mode is identical to that of a forced restart. The only thing that changes is the connection with the computer and the iTunes program. In addition to the fact that the iPhone is not locked but disabled after having mistaken the access code several times.
Below is a summary of the key combination to enter recovery mode.
- Recovery mode in iPhone 6S and previous models: Home button + top (or side) button
- Recovery mode in iPhone 7 and 7S: side button + volume down
- Recovery mode in iPhone 8 or later: Press and release volume up and volume down, hold down the side button
In case of problems during recovery mode
If you encounter issues during recovery mode, “the last resort” to unlock iPhone is represented by Apple support. We recommend first contacting online support, available.
You need to follow the path iPhone > Update backup and restore > Error while updating or restoring in iTunes, then select the way you intend to be contacted. In this specific case, the phone call is available to Talk to Apple support now.
If the problem is not resolved, we suggest going to an Apple Store or an authorized reseller in your city. To locate the Apple store closest to your home, select the Sales box, then type the name of the town or province where you live in the Full address, city or postal code field and click the Go button.
If desired, you can perform a more targeted search by clicking on the drop-down menu next to All products and selecting the iPhone option.
On the same topic, we recommend reading on how to unlock iPhone with Siri. In-depth, you will also find other opening the phone methods without knowing the access code, taking advantage of some security holes in the iOS operating system.
