How to Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working [2023]

I just updated my phone through iTunes. I have my phone set to require a passcode to open it. Today after updating my phone it now says my passcode (the one I set) is not correct. I am 100% sure that it is correct. How can I get into my phone?

Sometimes the iPhone will ask for a 6-digit passcode after an update. But have you ever faced a situation as the above user says: iPhone won’t accept the correct passcode after updating, or, your new iPhone 13 or iPhone 12 won’t unlock with the passcode? This issue usually happens after updating to the latest iOS version, restarting the device, changing passcode settings, etc. Finding the reason is not only what we focus on in this guide. The more important thing is how to fix this iPhone passcode not working issue.

Keep reading this post, you will get some clues about why iPhone or iPad passcode not working, including entering iPhone passcode not working, iPhone not accepting passcode, iPhone not recognizing the correct passcode, etc. And here are some possible solutions listed to unlock iPhone or iPad screen. What’s more, you can learn the quickest method to reset the passcode and unlock iPhone when passcode not working or forgot the iPhone passcode.

Bonus Tip: What to Do If Your iPhone Passcode Is Expired? >

Why Is My Passcode Not Working on My iPhone

Normally, you can set a passcode to protect your privacy. Touch ID or Face ID can also be set instead of a passcode. But, you need to enter the passcode when restarting your iOS devices, updating system software, swiping up to unlock your iPhone 12, iPhone 13, pressing the Home button on iPhone 8/7/6, erasing your device, installing new iOS or iPadOS Configuration profiles, etc.

There are many possible reasons leading to the iPhone passcode not working:

• An iOS Software Glitch: according to the user’s feedback, many iPhone passcode not working issue came after new iOS upgrading;
• Users’ Faulty Operation: enter a screen password wrongly over ten times by naughty kids, or inadvertently in your pocket, etc – if you entered the iPhone passcode 10 times and can’t unlock your iPhone, you will get iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes page and you need to restore your iPhone at that moment.)
• iPhone Passcode Changed Itself: after iOS 9, Apple replace the 6-digit passcode with a 4-digit passcode.
• iPhone won’t Accept the Correct Passcode: for unexpected reasons, your iPhone may fail to recognize your passcode even if you have entered the correct one.

Read this iPhone unlocking tip as well: What to Do If Your Passcode Is Required to Enable Face ID? >

1. Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working by Rebooting iPhone

Some users complained that iPhone passcode not working, passcode not working on iPhone or iPhone won’t accept the correct passcode. The first solution does not require too much. Sometimes iPhone passcode, not working 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.

Can’t restart your iPhone? Here are solutions: iPhone Won’t Restart or Force Restart Not Working? How to Fix >

2. How to Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working with AnyUnlock 1-Click [SAFE & EASY]

If your iPhone passcode doesn’t work and iPhone keeps saying the passcode is wrong, AnyUnlock – iPhone Password Unlocker enables you to remove and get into the iPhone without a passcode. AnyUnlock is an unlocking software developed by iMobie, which has specialized in the removal of apple devices’ passcode. Except for the iPhone passcode, you can unlock the iCloud activation lock, MDM lock, screen time password, etc. Check what can you do with AnyUnlock:

Key Features:

• Fix the iPhone passcode not working by directly removing the passcode from your iPhone, so that you can set a new one.
• Besides, if you entered the iPhone passcode several times and iPhone is disabled, you can also get into the locked iPhone with simple clicks.
• It supports the latest iPhone models and iOS versions, including iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and iPhone 12.
• Also, if you forgot the Apple ID and password, AnyUnlock can also remove the iCloud account from your iPhone.
• What’s more, you can bypass MDM lock, and remove the iTunes backup password, and Screen Time password with the help of AnyUnlock.

Now, you can freely download AnyUnlock and follow the steps below to unlock your iPhone passcode.

How to Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working with AnyUnlock:

Step 1. Click Unlock Screen Passcode

Free get and Launch AnyUnlock on your computer > Click Unlock Screen Passcode.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone

Connect your device to the computer and you can read the supported scenarios > Click Start.

Step 3. Download the iOS Firmware for iPhone

iOS firmware is for unlocking the screen passcode. It might take a long time to download the package. And AnyUnlock will update your iPhone to the latest iOS version that your device supported.

Step 4. Tap on Unlock Now

When the firmware downloading is finished, click Unlock Now option and you can read the notification first. Then it will unlock the screen passcode automatically. Please do not disconnect your device until it restarts.

Step 5. Screen Passcode Removed Successfully

And when the recovery process is completed, you will see Screen passcode removed successfully interface as below.

Video Guide on Fixing iPhone Passcode Not Working:

Check fixes to Touch ID not working issue: How to Fix Touch ID Not Working on iPhone iPad >

3. Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working 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:

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

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

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

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

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

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.

4. Fix Enter iPhone Passcode Not Working via iCloud

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

• Go to iCloud.com on your computer or another iPhone/iPad.
• If required, sign in with your Apple ID.
• Then at the top of the browser, select All Devices. You can see all the devices under the same Apple ID.

• Select the device you want to erase.
• Then tap on Erase iPhone, which will erase your whole device, including its passcode.

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

5. Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working via Recovery Mode

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

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

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

• On an iPhone 13/12/11/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.

6. Fix iPhone Not Accepting Passcode with PhoneRescue

PhoneRescue for iOS is a comprehensive iOS data recovery solution. It supports fixing various system problems like iphone password not working, iOS update failure, iPhone won’t swipe up to unlock, iPhone stuck on Apple logo, etc., also, including iPhone passcode not working. Since passcode issues could be caused by an iOS update, or other system glitches. No matter what situation you were encountering, you can revive your iPhone easily with PhoneRescue for iOS.

Step 1. Install PhoneRescue for iOS on your computer. Connect iOS device to computer with the USB cable. Choose Device Rescuer – Repair iOS System.

Step 2. Choose Standard Mode or Advanced Mode.

Step 3. Follow the 3-step instruction in the window to enter the Recovery Mode.

Step 4. And when the repair process is complete, you will see the complete page below.

What Happens After 10 Failed Passcode Attempts

What happens after 10 failed screen time passcode attempts? After many failed screen time passcode attempts, your iPhone will be disabled. The length of the disablement depends on how many times you’ve entered the wrong passcode. Subsequent attempts result in a longer disablement period. 

While your iPhone or iPad will not be locked, you will not be able to change any screen time settings until you enter the correct passcode.

Luckily, solutions are available to reset the Screen Time Passcode without erasing any data. Please free to read: How to Fix Screen Time Passcode After 10 Failed Attempts>>

The Bottom Line

As you can see if you have some problems such as: iPhone passcode not working, passcode not working on iPhone or iPhone won’t accept the correct passcode… Then there are several different but all practical ways to help you with the above issues. According to your own situation, choose the best one. And don’t hesitate to download AnyUnlock to fix iPhone not unlocking with the correct passcode. If you have any questions about these methods or have some other new ones, please leave your messages in the comments below.