How to Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working

Joy Taylor Last Updated: Jun. 11, 2020

There are many possible factors leading to the iPhone password not working. It could be an iOS software glitch. For example, according to the user’s feedback, many iPhone passcode not working accidents came after new iOS upgrading; It could also be some faulty operation, such as entering a password wrongly over ten times by naughty kids, or inadvertently in your pocket, etc.

iPhone Passcode Not Working

Finding the reason is not what we focus on in this guide. The more important thing is how to fix this iPhone passcode not working issue. We have listed all the possible solutions, you could have a try on them and choose the perfect one for your situation.

Method 1. Fix by Rebooting iPhone

The first solution does not require too much. Sometimes mobile phone problems can be easily solved by rebooting the device. So if you updated the iPhone to a new iOS version and found the screen passcode not working, long-press the side button to reboot your iPhone. Then restart your iPhone and see if the screen password is working.

Reboot Your iPhone

Method 2. Fix by Restoring iPhone with iTunes

If you have synced your iPhone with iTunes, this way works for you. As restoring iPhone would erase all the settings, which include your iPhone screen password, you wouldn’t be bothered any longer. Here are the detailed steps of how to erase your iPhone and restore it with iTunes backup:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer you have synced with.

Step 2. Open iTunes. If asked for a passcode, try another computer you’ve synced with, or enter recovery mode as the fourth part instructs.

Step 3. Wait for iTunes to sync your device and make a backup.

Step 4. After the sync and backup have finished, click Restore iPhone.

Step 5. When you are at the Set Up screen while restoring your iOS device, tap Restore from iTunes backup.

Step 6. Select your device in iTunes. Look at the date and size of each backup and pick the most relevant one. After the iPhone is set up, you can make your new passcode in Settings.

Method 3. Fix by Erasing iPhone with iCloud

To remove the iPhone password, another way you could try is to remotely erase your iPhone with iCloud. Here we will show you how.

Step 1. Go to iCloud.com on your computer or another iPhone/iPad.

Step 2. If required, sign in with your Apple ID.

Step 3. Then at the top of the browser, select All Devices. You can see all the devices under the same Apple ID.

Choose your iPhone on iCloud

Step 4. Select the device you want to erase.

Step 5. Then tap on Erase iPhone, which will erase your whole device, including its passcode.

Erase your iPhone on iCloud

Step 6. Now you can either restore the iPhone from a backup or set it up as new.

Method 4. Fix by Entering Recovery Mode

If you have never synced iPhone with iTunes, or set up Find My iPhone in iCloud, then you need recovery mode to erase the old password and make a new one.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer > Open iTunes.

Step 2. After the iPhone is connected, force restart it:

• On an iPhone 11/Xs/Xr/X/8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery-mode screen.
• On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery-mode screen.
• On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery-mode screen.

Step 3. When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Restore > iTunes will download software for your iPhone. If it takes more than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode and you’ll need to repeat steps 2 and 3.

Step 4. Wait for the process to finish. Then you can set up your iPhone.

Method 5. Remove iPhone Screen Passcode with AnyUnlock

Besides the official methods we’ve mentioned before, there are some third-party tools that can also help you to remove iPhone screen password. AnyUnlock, developed by iMobie, is specialized in the removal of iOS device passcode, including iPhone screen password, Apple ID, iTunes backup password, and Screen Time password. Now free download AnyUnlock and follow the steps below to unlock your iPhone password.

Step 1. Launch AnyUnlock on your computer. Click “Unlock Screen Passcode”.

Choose Unlock Screen Passcode

Step 2. Connect your device to the computer, click “Start”.

Tap Start Button

Step 3. Download the iOS firmware, this is for unlocking the screen passcode. It might take a long time to download the package, so please just keep patient.

Download iOS Firmware

Step 4. When the firmware downloading is finished, click the “Unlock Now” option. Then it will unlock the screen passcode automatically. Please do not disconnect your device until it restarts.

Tap on Unlock Now to Remove Screen Passcode

Step 5. And when the recovery process is completed, you will see the “Screen passcode removed successfully” interface.

Watch the video guide of unlocking iPhone password with AnyUnlock on YouTube!

Method 6. Remove Screen Lock with PhoneRescue for iOS

There are a lot of third-party tools developed for iPhone password removal. Apart from AnyUnlock, we also suggest you try PhoneRescue for iOS. It supports to restore the iPhone Screen Lock Passcode with a few clicks. No matter what the situation you were encountering, you can revive your iPhone easily.

Step 1. Preparations.

• Install PhoneRescue for iOS on your computer.
• Connect iOS device to computer with the USB cable.
• Choose Device Rescuer – Lock Screen Passcode option.

Remove Screen Lock Passcode

Step 2. Downloading.

• Click button & Select option
• Enter Recovery mode & download the patched firmware.

Please follow the 3-step instruction in the window to enter the “Recovery” mode.

Remove Screen Lock Passcode-Recovery

After entering the “Recovery” mode, the interface below will display. Please select the matched info for your device and click “Download” button to download the firmware.

Remove Screen Lock Passcode-Recovery-2

Step 3. Removal.

• Waiting for the removing Lock Screen Passcode process.
• Set up your iOS device.

After downloading the firmware package, PhoneRescue will remove the lock screen passcode automatically. Please do not disconnect your device until it restarts.

Remove Screen Lock Passcode-Removal-3

And when the recovery process is complete, you will see the complete page below. To go back to the previous page, you can click  button. If you want to go back to the homepage, please click  button.

Remove Screen Lock Passcode-Removal-4

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are three different but all practical ways to help you with iPhone passcode, not the working issue. According to your own situation, choose the best one. If you have any questions about these methods or have some other new ones, please leave your messages in the comments below.

Joy Taylor

Member of iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android related issues.