How to Fix My iPhone is Disabled and Won't Connect to iTunes

Method 2: Forgot iPhone Passcode? Bypass it via Find My iPhone

Find My is mainly used to locate a missing device, but it can also erase a locked iPhone remotely. When you choose the "Erase" option, the iPhone removes its data and settings, including the screen passcode that is keeping you out.

Requirements for using the Find My app:

• Find My must have been enabled on your disabled iPhone
• Your locked iPhone is still signed in to your Apple Account
• Your locked iPhone must have an internet connection, or the erase will wait until it reconnects
• You know your Apple ID & password

Situation 1: Via iCloud.com

Steps:

1. Open icloud.com/find on any browser
2. Enter your Apple ID & password


Sign in to iCloud

3. Once the login is successful, open Find Devices, choose your iPhone from All Devices, and continue.


Click Find iPhone



Find My iPhone Enter Your Apple ID Password

4. Next, click All Devices and pick yours.


Click All Devices and Choose Your Disabled Device

5. Tap Erase iPhone. When you notice a prompt saying, “Erase this iPhone?” Tap Erase.


Click Erase iPhone



Click Erase to Confirm

6. Next, enter your Apple ID password.


Enter the Password to Continue

7. A verification code will be sent to your trusted device via message. Key in this code.


Two-Factor Authentication



If you stop partway through this web erase flow, Apple may ask you to sign in again and enter another verification code. It is easier to finish the process in one sitting once you start.

8. Provide your phone number and click Next


Enter Your Phone Number

9. The iCloud site will show you Erase Started. Your iPhone will also show the erase progress with a white Apple logo.


Find My iPhone Erase Started

10. Your iPhone will restart when the process is done. It can also display an iPhone locked to owner message. If you see that screen, enter your Apple ID & password, click Next, and then create a new passcode.

Situation 2: Via Find My iPhone (App)

If you have another Apple device nearby, you do not need a computer to erase your iPhone. You can use the Find My app to do the same reset.

Steps:

1. Open the Find My app (If you don't own the device you are using, you will need to log in using your own Apple ID & password)
2. Tap on Devices and choose the device you want to wipe
3. Scroll down and click Erase iPhone.


Find My iPhone App Erase iPhone

4. A prompt will pop up asking you to confirm Erase This Device. Click Erase.
5. Enter your Apple ID password to continue

If your disabled iPhone has no internet connection, an "Erase Pending" notification will appear. Once it connects to the internet, the erasure process will begin. If it is already online, the wipe starts right away.

Method 3 Use iTunes Recovery mode to unlock your disabled iPhone

If you forget your screen passcode and your iPhone is disabled, a computer restore still works through recovery mode. On current Macs Apple uses Finder, and on current Windows PCs Apple uses the Apple Devices app, but the recovery-mode reset steps are still the same basic idea.

Preparations:

1) You will require a PC or a Mac

For PC: Ensure you have Windows 10 or later and install Apple Devices or the newest version of iTunes

For Mac:

• For macOS Catalina or later models, open a Finder window
• For macOS Mojave and earlier, install and run the latest version of iTunes.

2) You will need a compatible USB cable. A loose cable can interrupt recovery mode.

Steps: (For Windows users)

1. Power down your iPhone

a. Disconnect your iPhone from the computer if it is connected

b. Switch off your iPhone according to its model:

• iPhone 8, 8 Plus X, and newer, including iPhone SE (2nd & 3rd gen): Press and hold the side and volume down buttons until you see the switch-off slider appear.
• iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6S, and 6: Press down and hold the side button until the power off slider appears
• For iPhone SE (1st gen), 5S, and older: Press the top button and don't release it until the power off slider is visible.

c. Drag the slider to power off your iPhone and wait a minute to ensure it is entirely switched off.

2. Set your iPhone to recovery mode

a. Get ready by identifying which button you will need to press and hold down in the next step.

• For iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, and later, including the 2nd and 3rd generation of SE, press the side button.
• On iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, use the volume down button
• For the 1st generation of iPhone SE and iPhone 6 and earlier models, use the home button.

b. Press and hold down the appropriate button for your iPhone and immediately connect it to your computer without releasing the button.

c. Hold the button until your screen shows recovery mode, then let it go.



Recovery Mode Screen


You need to start again if you see the passcode screen instead of the recovery mode screen.
3. Restore your iPhone

a. Open Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes. You will see a message saying the iPhone needs to be updated or restored. Choose Restore.



iTunes Click Restore iPhone

b. Next, click Restore and Update.



iTunes Click Restore and Update

c. An “iPhone Software Update” Window will come up. Click Next, then click Agree to accept the terms.

Note:
• If the “iPhone Software Update” download drags on for more than 30 minutes or your device escapes the recovery mode screen, repeat from step 2.
• If the screen displays an error message, “There was a problem downloading the software. The network connection timed out”, download the software update manually.

d. After the software finishes downloading, you will see a prompt confirming that the computer will erase and restore your iPhone. Click Restore.

e. On the screen, the bar will display “Extracting Software...” This means the computer is preparing the restore package for your iPhone.



iTunes is Preparing to Restore the Software on this iPhone

f. Your iPhone screen will display a progress bar to track the restoration process with the white Apple logo. Once the process is complete, your iPhone will automatically restart.



Your iPhone has been restored to factory settings

g. Once your iPhone has powered on, you can reset it and create a new passcode if you wish.

On the Apps & Data screen, select “Don't Transfer Apps & Data” if you didn't back up your content to Finder, iTunes, or iCloud before your iPhone got locked. But if you have a backup, choose either “Restore from iCloud Backup” or “Restore from Mac or PC.”

Set up Apps & Data