If you forgot your iPhone passcode, the only official way to get back in is to erase the iPhone and then restore your data from a backup if you have one.

Big warning first

  • There is no magic “bypass” that keeps all your data if you don’t know the passcode.
  • Any method that works will erase the iPhone (apps, photos, messages) and then you can restore from iCloud or a computer backup.
  • Be very careful with random “unlock tools” you see online; many are paid third‑party apps, not from Apple, and can be risky.

Option 1 – Use Apple’s recovery mode (with a computer)

Use this if you have access to a Mac or Windows PC. This is Apple’s standard process.

  1. Turn off your iPhone.
    • On recent iPhones: Hold Side button + Volume button until the power slider appears, slide to power off.
  1. Enter recovery mode.
    • Connect your iPhone to the computer while holding the correct button:
      • iPhone 8 and later: hold the Side button while plugging in until you see the recovery‑mode screen.
   * iPhone 7/7 Plus: hold Volume Down while connecting.
  1. On the computer, open Finder or iTunes.
    • You should see a prompt that your iPhone is in recovery mode and needs to be updated or restored.
  1. Choose “Restore.”
    • This downloads software and erases the device so you can set it up again.
  1. Set up your iPhone.
    • During setup, sign in with your Apple ID and choose to restore from iCloud backup or computer backup , if you have one.

If the download takes longer than 15 minutes and the device exits recovery mode, you’ll need to repeat entering recovery mode and try again.

Option 2 – Erase using “Find My” (no computer, but needs Find My on)

This works if Find My iPhone was already enabled , and you know your Apple ID and password.

From another device or browser

  1. Go to iCloud.com on another phone, tablet, or computer and sign in with your Apple ID.
  1. Tap Find My and select your locked iPhone from the list.
  1. Choose Erase This Device (or “Erase iPhone”).
  1. Confirm. This will erase the iPhone remotely.
  1. After the erase, set it up again and restore from iCloud or other backup.

From another Apple device (Find My app)

  1. Open the Find My app on another iPhone, iPad, or Mac where your Apple ID is signed in.
  1. Select your locked iPhone.
  1. Tap Erase This Device and follow the prompts.

Again, this wipes the phone; you’ll get your data back only if you have a backup.

Option 3 – “Erase iPhone” / “Forgot Passcode?” on the lock screen

On newer iOS versions, after several wrong attempts you may see Security Lockout and buttons like Erase iPhone or Forgot Passcode?.

  • Intentionally enter the wrong passcode repeatedly until “Erase iPhone” or “Forgot Passcode?” appears.
  • Tap it, sign in with your Apple ID and password, and confirm erase.
  • The iPhone will erase itself; then you go through setup and restore from backup.

This method also requires the device to be yours and associated with your Apple ID.

What if you don’t have any backup?

  • You can still erase and unlock the iPhone using recovery mode or Find My, but you’ll start from a clean slate—no way to recover old photos, chats, or app data.
  • Apple’s security is specifically designed so that if you can’t unlock with passcode or Apple ID, you can’t get at the data.

If the data is extremely important, your only realistic path is to try to remember the correct passcode or Apple ID; official support cannot break encryption for you.

Are third‑party “unlock” tools worth it?

You’ll see names like AnyUnlock, PassFab, Dr.Fone, and others promising to unlock iPhones without a passcode.

  • They typically still erase the device to remove the passcode, just like Apple’s method.
  • They often require a computer, downloads, and sometimes paid licenses.
  • There are reliability and privacy risks; they are not endorsed by Apple.

For most people, sticking to Apple’s own methods (recovery mode or Find My) is safer and free.

Quick HTML table: main options

[2][6] [9][7] [1][3][9] [3][8][10][1]
Method Needs computer? Needs Apple ID? Erases data? Good if…
Recovery mode (Finder/iTunes) Yes Yes, at setup Yes You have a Mac/PC and maybe a backup on it.
Find My (iCloud.com / app) No (just another device) Yes Yes Find My was turned on and you remember Apple ID.
“Erase iPhone” / “Forgot Passcode?” on lock screen No Yes Yes You see Security Lockout and the erase option.
Third‑party unlock tools Usually yes Often yes Usually yes You accept extra risk and cost (not recommended).

Forum‑style recap

“What to do if I forgot my iPhone password?”
In 2026, the standard answer across tech forums is still: you must erase the iPhone and then restore from a backup if you have one—there’s no supported bypass that keeps all your data.

If you tell me which iPhone model you have and whether you have a Mac/PC or another Apple device, I can walk you through the exact button presses step by step.