What to Do If You Forgot Your iPhone Password
Last updated: 3 August 2025
Step 1: Stop Guessing
If you enter the wrong passcode too many times, your iPhone will become disabled. To avoid permanent lockout or delays, stop guessing and proceed with the correct recovery steps.
Step 2: Use 'Erase iPhone' (iOS 15.2 and Later)
If your device is running iOS 15.2 or newer and you're connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data, you may see an 'Erase iPhone' option after multiple failed attempts. Tap it, enter your Apple ID password, and your iPhone will be wiped so you can set it up again.
Step 3: Reset Using Finder or iTunes (All Versions)
If the 'Erase iPhone' option isn’t available, use a Mac or PC to reset your device: 1. Turn off your iPhone. 2. Connect it to your computer while holding the correct button (Side for Face ID, Home for older models). 3. Keep holding until the recovery mode screen appears. 4. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC) and choose 'Restore'.
Step 4: Set Up Your iPhone
After the reset, you'll need to set up your iPhone from scratch. If you previously backed up to iCloud or your computer, you’ll be able to restore your apps and data during setup.
Step 5: Enter Apple ID Password
To finish setup, you must enter the Apple ID password linked to the device. This is part of Apple's Activation Lock security feature — it prevents stolen phones from being reused.
If You Don’t Have a Backup
Without a backup, restoring your iPhone will erase all data. Unfortunately, there's no way to recover it once the device is reset. Always try to back up regularly via iCloud or iTunes to avoid data loss.