How To Unlock A Disabled iPhone Without iTunes In 4 Ways [2023]

Bradley Jonathan | Mar 29, 2023

A veteran journalist, dedicated to reporting the latest smartphone technology innovations. He tests all methods himself to provide an unbiased how-to piece on all iPhone issues.

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Are you locked out of your iPhone by wrongly entering your passcode several times? Or has someone tried to force their way into your device? In such situations, the security feature disables the iPhone, which may create a nuisance in case of emergency calls and requirements. This article intends to guide you on how to unlock a disabled iPhone without iTunes in 4 ways. Scroll down to read more!

Why Is Your iPhone Disabled?

Why is your iPhone showing iPhone is disabled? After 10 failed passcode attempts, iPhones will disable and lock users out.

There are many reasons why your iPhone could be disabled due to too many incorrect passcodes, including:

  • you traveled without your iPhone and forgot the passcode upon returning;
  • your child entered the wrong number too many times;
  • a friend confused your iPhone and entered his/her passcode into your iPhone

This feature, designed by Apple to protect you from thieves or hackers, isn’t going away. But there are solutions to accessing your iPhone again.

Why Not With iTunes?

Previously, iPhone users with disabled iPhones would go to iTunes for help to unlock their iPhones. However, iTunes has fallen out of favor with many users, due to the weight of the app and confusing features, not to mention that it is constantly crashing. Some users avoid iTunes altogether, and accessing it to unlock their iPhones just isn’t an easy solution.

There are plenty of ways to unlock a disabled iPhone without iTunes, here is how.

Method 1: Unlock the Disabled iPhone Via Mobitrix LockAway

A disabled iPhone is not just inconvenient - it can be downright disruptive to your life! If you need your iPhone unlocked quickly and effectively so that you can get back to work, or communicate with your family, there is a good solution. To get access to your iPhone as quickly as possible, turn to Mobitrix LockAway- Unlock iPhone Passcode. This effective software can remove the iPhone passcode and Apple ID without iTunes or iCloud in just 20 mins.


Mobitrix LockAway is a practical way to regain access to a disabled iPhone or remove an Apple ID. If you remove the Apple ID on your iPhone, you will be able to access your iPhone again without any issues.

Mobitrix LockAway is:

  • Easy to use – Unlock your disabled iPhone without iTunes.
  • Quick -- Remove iPhone locks with a few clicks in 20 mins.
  • Effective - Bypass the locks on your iPhone without a passcode.
  • Versatile – Supports all iOS versions and iPhone/iPad models.
  • Secure - Unlock your iPhone by yourself and 100% secure your privacy.

Steps to remove the passcode:

  1. Connect the disabled iPhone to the computer.
  2. Click on “Unlock Screen Passcode” in the main menu.
    3. unlock screen passcode home

    Select "Unlock Screen Passcode" in the main menu

  3. Click Start to remove iPhone Passcode.
    4. unlock screen passcode product

    Click Start to remove iPhone Passcode

    unlock screen passcode remove screen lock

    The process of removing the screen lock

  4. The iPhone Unlocking is complete!
    5. unlock screen passcode unlock is complete

    The iPhone Unlocking is complete

Mobitrix LockAway is very easy and effective. It is the fastest and most convenient approach if you need to regain access to your iPhone in a hurry.

There are two ways to use Find My iPhone to unlock a disabled iPhone without iTunes, one is direct with the app, and the other is with iCloud. Both methods are described step by step below.

Method 2: Unlock the Disabled iPhone Via Find My iPhone (App)

If you have access to another Apple device, either a friend’s iPhone or an iPad, then you can the Find My App to unlock your disabled iPhone without a computer. Here is how:

  1. Open the Find iPhone app on any other iPhone or iPad.
    2. Find My app on iPhone

    Find My app on iPhone.

  2. Input your Apple ID and password then tap Sign In.
    3. Sign in on the Find My iPhone app

    Sign in on the Find My iPhone app

  3. Tap Devices at the bottom and select your disabled iPhone from the list. (You will see your device icon on the map showing its current location)
    4. List of Devices on Find My app

    List of Devices on Find My app

  4. Tap Actions at the bottom of your screen and tap Erase iPhone on the next interface. (You will be required to enter your Apple ID password to continue)
    5. Erase iPhone button on Find My app

    Erase iPhone button on Find My app

  5. Input a phone number that you want to appear on the disabled iPhone screen after the process finishes and tap Next.
    6. Adding a phone number to receive the erase iPhone alert

    Adding a phone number to receive the erase iPhone alert.

  6. Add the message to be displayed with the phone number above and tap Done.
    7. Write the message to be displayed

    Write the message to be displayed

  7. Tap OK on the new popup to confirm the erase process has started. You will see a progress bar and the Apple logo on the disabled iPhone.
    8. Confirming the Erase started process

    Confirming the Erase started process

  8. Wait for it to complete and the “Hello” screen to appear. Your iPhone will be unlocked and you can set it up fresh.

Pros:

  • This is an approved, official way to reset a disabled iPhone
  • Easy to use, as long as you have access to another iOS device.
  • No need to download new software, as long as you have turned on Find My iPhone App previously

Cons:

  • You must use another iOS device, such as an iPad or iPhone. You cannot use this method with an Android iPhone or computer.
  • It will not work if you have never enabled Find My iPhone previously
  • You may lose some data if you have not backed up through iCloud recently
  • It may not work properly if your iPhone is not charged/the battery is dead

Method 3: Unlock the Disabled iPhone Via Find My iPhone (iCloud)

Find My is a free app and service to help track or trace your lost or stolen Apple devices. Additionally, Find My has an “Erase it with ease” function that you can use to unlock your disabled iPhone without iTunes. The Erase function deletes all the content, data, settings, and even the screen passcode you forgot. It allows you to set up the iPhone again.

  1. Visit the icloud.com website.
  2. Enter your iCloud account credentials.
    3. enter your apple id and password

    Enter your Apple ID and password

  3. Navigate to Find iPhone and open it.
    4. click Find iPhone

    Click Find iPhone

  4. Input your Apple ID password again and tap Sign In .
    5. enter your apple id password

    Enter your Apple ID password

  5. Click All Devices and select the disabled iPhone.
    6. click all device and choose your device

    Click All Devices and choose your device

  6. Click Erase iPhone.
    7. click erase iphone

    Click Erase iPhone

  7. A new window will pop up—Click Erase to confirm.
    8. click erase

    Click Erase

  8. Enter the Apple ID email address and password linked to the locked iPhone to continue.
    9. enter the password to continue

    Enter the password to continue

  9. A verification code is sent to your trusted device then you can enter it in the fields provided. (If you don’t use Two-Factor Authentication, you won’t see this step)
    10. two factor authentication

    Two-Factor authentication

  10. Add your phone number to get a notification after your iPhone has been erased. Click the Next button.
    11. enter your phone number

    Enter your phone number

  11. You will see a prompt saying “Erase Started” on the iCloud website. Also, a progress bar with the Apple logo will appear on your iPhone display. (If it is not connected to the internet, it won’t get erased until the next time it is online.)
    12. srase started

    Erase started

  12. Wait for the erase process to finish and your iPhone to restart. Swipe up to reset the iPhone. If you see the “iPhone Locked to Owner” message, input your Apple ID and password. Click Next, and you will have unlocked your iPhone. You can proceed to make a new passcode.

Pros:

  • Using Find My iPhone with iCloud is an easy and official way to unlock a disabled iPhone for free
  • It is convenient, there is no need to download software.

Cons:

  • You may have to solicit the help of a friend for their iPhone or iPad.
  • If you have never turned on your Find My iPhone App, then this method will not be an option for you.
  • You may lose some data if you have not backed up through iCloud recently
  • It may not work properly if your iPhone is not charged/the battery is dead

Method 4: Unlock the Disabled iPhone Via Siri

Siri, your iPhone’s personal assistant feature can do much more than just tell you the weather - it can also help you unlock a disabled iPhone! It is generally considered a type of loophole and isn’t an official method approved by Apple. This method works with iPhones that run on iOS 8.0 through to iOS 10.1, devices using other systems will not have this option.

Here is how to use the Siri bug to unlock your disabled iPhone without iTunes:

  1. Turn on Siri, and ask the time in order to turn on your iPhone’s iOS clock.
  2. Tap the clock when it appears on your screen and select the “+” to add a new clock.
    3. unlock-iphone-without-passcode-via-siri

    click on the + icon

  3. A new screen will appear and ask you to choose a city - type anything at all in this space.
  4. Double-tap whatever you have written and “Select All”.
    5. select-all-with-siri

    Select All the characters

  5. When options appear (Cut/Copy/Define/Share) choose “Share”.
    6. unlock via siri - share

    Select Share

  6. Another window will appear, select the “Message” icon, when the New Message appears, type anything in the “To:” field.
    7. return-to-home-screen-without-iphone-passcode

    Select Message and paste the text

  7. Select “Return” on your keyboard (the reverse arrow, not the swipe-screen).
  8. Whatever you have typed should be highlighted in green. Tap “+” for this text. From the options presented, select “Create New Contact”
    9. unlock via siri - create new contact

    Create New Contact

  9. Now, select “Add Photo”, then “Choose Photo”
    10. unlock via siri - choose photo

    Choose Photo

  10. This will open your photo albums, and in doing so unlock your disabled iPhone.
    11. unlock via siri - photo moment

    Select Photos Moments

  11. Return Home and make a new passcode that you will remember

Pros:

  • This option is free
  • It unlocks your disabled iPhone without losing data
  • If you follow the steps exactly, it will unlock your iPhone easily

Cons:

  • This method only works for iPhones running on iOS 8.0 – iOS 10.1. It will not work with other systems.
  • It is not an official option approved by Apple
  • As it is a loophole, Apple may fix this function and it will not be available in the future

Method 5: Unlock the Disabled iPhone Via Finder On Mac

apple support app

Unlock the Disabled iPhone Via Finder

If you have a Mac computer that runs on macOS Catalina, you have another option available to unlock your disabled iPhone. Finder is a feature that can unlock a disabled iPhone, as an alternative to iTunes.

To use this method, you need to have your iPhone with you and connect it to your Mac with a USB cable.

Note: this option works only with Mac computers running on macOS Catalina, not other systems.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac computer with the USB cable.
  2. Open Finder
  3. When the recovery mode screen appears, start Recovery Mode
  4. Then select “Restore”
  5. When the restoration is finished, you may log in to iCloud and restore with your most recent backup

Pros:

  • Using Finder with MacOS Catalina is an official way to unlock disabled iPhones for free
  • It is a simple method with few steps

Cons:

  • This option only works if you have a macOS Catalina. It will not work with other computers or other systems.

Tips: Restore the data and settings after erasing iPhone

After removing the passcode, you can restore your data through backups on iCloud.

Also Read :
  1. [4 Ways] Fix "iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes" Error
  2. [4 Powerful Ways] Reset iPhone without Password in 2022
  3. [4 Powerful Ways] How to Back Up iPhone? (2022 Guide)
  4. [4 Useful Ways] How To Wipe iPhone Without Passcode?
  5. [ All Type] How to Change Password on iPhone in 2022
Summary

There are several ways to unlock a disabled iPhone without iTunes. Some are official methods, such as with iCloud, while others make use of a loophole with Apple’s Siri feature. However, the fastest way, with the fewest amount of steps involved, is to use Mobitrix LockAway. If you’re in a hurry and worried about losing data, try using LockAway to restore a disabled iPhone safely and quickly.