How to Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working

Roger Smith Posted on: Jan. 23, 2019, Last Updated: Oct. 28, 2019

Passcode on iPhone is a very common way to ensure the safety of users’ confidential and vital information. But sometimes, iPhone users would encounter in the wrong passcode, invalid touch id and cause the screen locked on iPhone 11/XS/XR/8/X/7/6s. Will this be fixed? and how could this happen?

iPhone Passcode Not Working

Honestly, there are many possible factors leading to 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.

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. By far, the only way to solve this problem is by erasing the old password and setting a new one. But how exactly? Here are several methods below, and choose the perfect one for your situation.

Method 1. Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working with iTunes Restoring

If you have synced your iPhone with iTunes, this way works for you to erase the old password saved on iPhone.

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 use recovery mode in the third part.

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 iPhone is set up, you can make your new passcode in Settings.

Method 2. Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working with iCloud Restoring

Step 1. Go to iCloud.com/find with another iDevice, or computer.

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

Step 3. Then at the top of the browser, select All Devices.

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.

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

Note: If your iPhone isn’t connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network, you can’t erase it with Find My iPhone.

Method 3. Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working with 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 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 4. Fix iPhone Passcode Not Working Within Clicks

Method 1-3 is totally free to restore your iPhone passcode, but a little bit complicated if you did not ever restore iPhone before. As PhoneRescue for iOS released its newest version recently, 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 matched 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 firmware package, PhoneRescue will remove 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 previous page, you can click  button. If you want to go back to 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. Thanks.

Roger Smith

Work for iMobie team for 5 years as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS or Android related issues.