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 the go-to app for everything related to location tracking. Not only is it perfect for tracking down misplaced or stolen devices, but it also has a handy "Erase" feature. This allows users to effortlessly reset their locked Apple devices. By opting for the "Erase" function, all data and settings are wiped clean from the iPhone, including that pesky screen passcode blocking access.

Requirements for using the Find My app:

• Find My must have been enabled on your disabled iPhone
• Your locked iPhone is still logged into your iCloud account
• Your locked iPhone must have an internet connection
• You know your Apple ID & password

Situation 1: Via iCloud.com

Steps:

1. Open iCloud.com on any browser
2. Enter your Apple ID & password


Sign in to iCloud

3. Once the login is successful, click Find iPhone, provide your Apple ID again and tap Sign in.


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



Engaging in other activities while running this process and returning to it later will require you to reenter your password again. You will also receive a new verification code which you will have to reenter. To avoid repeating the process over again, complete it in ago.

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 white Apple logo.


Find My iPhone Erase Started

10. Your iPhone will self restart once the process is done. It will also display an iPhone locked to owner message. Once you see this notification, enter your Apple ID & password and click Next, then create a new passcode.

Situation 2: Via Find My iPhone (App)

If you possess another Apple device or someone around you has an iOS, you do not need a computer to erase your iPhone. You can use the Find My app to accomplish the same task.

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 pop up. Once it connects to the internet, the erasure process will begin. If it's already online, the clearing process will start immediately, wiping everything clean.

Method 3 Use iTunes Recovery mode to unlock your disabled iPhone

For devices running on iOS 15.4.1 and later versions, if you forget your screen passcode and disable your iPhone, iTunes cannot recognize your device automatically. To use iTunes to unlock your device, you will have to set it to recovery mode manually so iTunes can recognize it first. Once iTunes notices your disabled iPhone is in recovery mode, it will provide you with an option to factory reset (restore) it.

Preparations:

1) You will require a PC or a Mac

For PC: Ensure you have windows 8 or later and install 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.

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 iTunes. You will encounter a message saying, “There is a problem with the iPhone “iPhone” that requires it to be updated or restored.” You will then be offered two options, Update or Restore. Click 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 downloading the “iPhone software update” successfully, you will notice the following pop-up, “iTunes will erase and restore your iPhone to ios 15.4.1 and verify the restore with Apple”. Click Restore.

e. On the screen, the bar will display “Extracting Software...” This means iOS 15.4.1 iTunes is getting ready to restore the 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