[5 Useful Ways] Unlock iPhone 7 Passcode and Carrier

Method 2: Forgot iPhone 7 Passcode? Unlock it via iTunes Recovery Mode

Recovery Mode is a built-in iOS troubleshooting mode where you can use either iTunes or Finder to diagnose and fix the problems of your iPhone while it is connected to a computer. Putting your iPhone into Recovery Mode doesn't require any passcode or password, and iTunes offer options to update the iOS software or restore the device.

The “Restore” function means a factory reset for your iPhone. It deletes your data and settings, including the passcode, so you can set up the iPhone 7 again from scratch or restore a backup.

Preparations:

1. A PC or Mac
• If you're using a PC: update Windows, then use the Apple Devices app if it is available. If not, install the latest version of iTunes.
• If you're using a Mac:
1. For macOS Catalina or newer, open a Finder window.
2. For macOS Mojave or older, install and open the latest version of iTunes.
2. A compatible USB cable

Steps: (For Windows Users)

1. Turn off your iPhone
1. Unplug your iPhone from the computer if it’s connected.
3. Turn off your iPhone using the method for your iPhone model:
• iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and later, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation): Press and hold both the side button and the Volume down button until the power off slider appears.
• iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6: Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears.
• iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 5s, and earlier: Press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears.
4. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone, wait a minute to make sure that it turns off completely.
2. Put your iPhone in recovery mode
1. Press and hold the volume down button of your iPhone 7 while immediately connecting it to the computer.
2. Keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPhone 7, then let go.


See the recovery mode screen

Note: If you see the passcode screen, you need to repeat step 1 (turn off your iPhone) and step 2 (put your iPhone in recovery mode) again.

3. Restore your iPhone
1. Open iTunes or Apple Devices and wait for the prompt that says the iPhone needs to be updated or restored. There are 2 options: Update or Restore. Click Restore.


The iphone that requires it to be updated or restored

2. Confirm Restore and Update.


All of your media and other data will be erased

3. You will see “iPhone software update” Follow the prompt by tapping Next and then Agree on the terms.
4. When the “iPhone software update” download is completed, the computer will show that it will erase and restore your iPhone to the latest iOS version supported by that device. Then click Restore.

If “iPhone software update” can’t be downloaded successfully due to some errors like network connection timed out. You can manually download the iPhone software update.
5. The bar above will show “Extracting software…”. It means iTunes is preparing to restore the software on this iPhone.


Preparing to restore the software on this iphone

6. The progress bar appears with an Apple logo on your iPhone. Wait for your iPhone 7 to restart automatically when the restore finishes.


click this icon to check the download process

7. After your iPhone restarts, you can create a new passcode during setup. If Activation Lock appears, enter the same Apple ID and password linked to the phone before you continue.

Method 3: How to Unlock iPhone 7 via Find My iPhone (iCloud.com)

Find My iPhone is a great feature offered to iOS users to locate your lost or stolen device. It can also erase the phone remotely, which removes the forgotten passcode but leaves Activation Lock in place for security. You can start that erase from iCloud.com or from the Find My app on another Apple device.

Requirements:

1. ‘Find My iPhone’ must be enabled before you get locked out of your iPhone 7.
2. The locked iPhone must already be signed in to the Apple account linked to Find My.
3. The locked iPhone must be linked to the internet via Wi-Fi or a cellular network.
4. You must remember your Apple ID and password

Steps to Using Find My iPhone:

1. Visit iCloud.com on a browser, whether by mobile or computer
2. Enter your Apple ID and password


Enter your apple id and password

3. After successful login, click Find My and enter your Apple ID password again, then click sign in


Click Find iPhone



Enter your Apple ID password

4. Select “All Device” and find your iPhone 7.


Click all device and choose your device

5. Choose “Erase iPhone.” Tap the “Erase this iPhone” prompt and confirm “Erase.”


Click erase iphone



Click erase

6. Enter your password to continue


Enter the password to continue

7. A message with a verification code will be sent to your trusted device. Enter the code to continue.


Two factor authentication

8. Enter your phone number, click “Next,” and then select “Done.”


Enter your phone number

9. The iCloud website displays, “Erase Started,” and at the same time, your iPhone will show the progress of erasing with a white apple logo. After completion, your iPhone will restart automatically. Swipe up on the screen and begin setup again.


Erase started

10. Your iPhone may show, “iPhone locked to owner,” Enter your Apple ID and password. Click “Next” and create a new passcode.

Part 2: How to Unlock your iPhone 7 to use with a different carrier

A carrier-locked phone is known as a cell phone locked to a specific carrier's network. This means that the phone can only be used with a specific carrier's service, and will not be able to perform with any other carrier's service.

How to check if your iPhone is locked by a carrier？

There are 3 ways to check if your iPhone 7 is locked to a specific carrier: through Settings, with another SIM card, or by contacting the carrier directly.

A. Via Settings

1. Go to Settings
2. Open General and then About
3. Check the Carrier Lock field. If it says No SIM restrictions, the iPhone is unlocked.

Note: This Settings check is the most direct way to confirm the carrier-lock status on current iPhones.

B. Via SIM Card

1. Try making a call from your old carrier to see if it works.
2. Now, change your Sim by ejecting and inserting the new one.
3. Again try to make a call and see if it works.

If it does not work, your iPhone 7 is locked to a carrier. But if the call is successful then it means your iPhone is not carrier-locked.

C. Via contacting the carrier

If you think your iPhone 7 is locked to a specific carrier then contact your carrier and check the status of your device.

2 Most Reliable Methods to unlock iPhone carrier (Suitable for All iPhone Models)

Only your current carrier can officially unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier. Before you try any unofficial route, check whether you already meet your carrier's unlock requirements.

Method 1: Unlock iPhone Carrier with SIM Unlock Chip

SIM unlock chips are unofficial accessories that try to get around a carrier lock by changing how the SIM is read by the phone.

These chips are easy to find online and usually cost around 20 to 30 dollars. But they can be fragile, may stop working after iOS or carrier changes, and are not the official route recommended by Apple or the carrier.

Steps:

1. Buy a SIM Unlocking Chip according to your iPhone 7 model.
2. Place your SIM in the unlocking chip properly and insert it into your iPhone 7.


insert fold chip

3. Enter your ICCID number that is available on the back of every SIM Card.


The ICCID

4. Now, restart your iPhone.

Method 2: Contact your carrier

What mobile carrier is locked to your iPhone? Check popular mobile carriers below:

AT&T

To unlock AT&T SIM, follow these steps:

1. Open your iPhone settings and go to General then About
2. Locate your IMEI number
3. Go to the online unlocking portal of At&T
4. Now, enter your IMEI number and follow the prompt to unlock your iPhone 7.

AT&T allows you to unlock your iPhone after only 6 months and you can also contact their customer support for unlocking procedures.

T-Mobile

To unlock your T-Mobile sim card, follow:

1. Launch the T-Mobile website and sign in to your account.
2. Tap the Account icon in the top left corner of your screen
3. Select the line of service from the list
4. Go to Device and check your iPhone 7 unlock status

Note: If your iPhone 7 carrier is still locked, try calling 877-746-0909 or *6 for assistance.

Sprint

To unlock Sprint, here are the eligibility criteria you need to satisfy:

1. Use your Sprint carrier-locked device for 50 days and 90 days to unlock domestic and international unlocking respectively
2. The purchase date for the iPhone should be before 2016 and it must not be reported lost or stolen.
3. After all the billing and payments are cleared, dial 888-211-4727 to unlock the Sprint carrier-locked device.

Verizon

To unlock your Verizon Sim card, follow these steps:

1. Use your active Verizon iPhone for 60 days.
2. Clear all your billing for the iPhone.
3. Your iPhone will be automatically unlocked if the steps are fulfilled.