How to fix locked out iPhone, forgot passcode on Apple iPhone XS

When you see the ‘iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes’ message on your screen, it denotes that your iPhone is locked out and that you’ll need to unlock it through iTunes, then restore it from the most recent backup. 

Read on to find out what to do if you’re facing the same issue and get locked out of your iPhone XS.

One of the most annoying problems you could encounter with your iPhone is when you forget the PIN code and then you’re locked out. This is definitely such a bummer since you couldn’t get to use your device at all. 

Normally, you’ll be locked out of your iPhone after 10 consecutive incorrect passcode entries. That’s how Apple crafted their iOS devices to ensure security. In case you accidentally ended up being locked out of your iPhone due to several incorrect passcode attempts, then this post highlights the possible solutions. Read on to learn what to do in case you’re accidentally locked out of your iPhone and forgot the passcode to unlock your device.

Before we proceed, if you’re looking for a solution to a problem with your phone, try to browse through our iPhone XS Help Guides page to see if we support your device. If your phone is in the list of our supported devices, then go to the troubleshooting page and look for similar problems. Feel free to use our solutions and workarounds.

Troubleshooting iPhone XS that’s locked out or disabled

For those who haven’t been locked out of their iPhones before, this issue might be very difficult to understand, let alone fix, but it’s actually not that difficult. Here’s what you need to do: 

First solution: Sync your iPhone XS with iTunes to fix locked out issue.

If you’ve recently backed up your iPhone and still remembers the correct passcode, then you can restore your device and everything in it by syncing to iTunes. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Using the Apple-supplied USB/lightning cable, connect your iPhone to the computer that you used to synced before. 
  2. Open iTunes on your computer once it’s connected.
  3. From the iTunes main screen, select the Sync option. 
  4. Once prompted, enter your device passcode to unlock your phone. This will backup your iPhone to the computer. 
  5. Click the option to Restore iPhone from the most recent backup.
  6. Then follow the rest of the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

You can disconnect your iPhone from the computer right after the restore process is completed.

ALSO READ: How to fix Apple iPhone XS that cannot connect to WiFi network

Second solution: Utilize Find my iPhone to wipe your device. 

You can also use Find My iPhone to erase your device through iCloud if your iPhone is connected to the Internet. Just follow these steps:

  1. Open iCloud website using a different device.
  2. Enter your Apple ID and password from the iCloud sign-in page. 
  3. Select All Devices at the top of the browser.
  4. Select your iPhone XS from the list.
  5. Click the option to Erase [iPhone]. This will erase all data on your device and set it up as new or restore it from the backup. 

Just follow the remaining on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Third solution: Restore your iPhone XS in recovery mode.

Recovery mode restore is the only option for restoring your device if you’ve never synced it with iTunes or set up Find My iPhone in iCloud. This feature will erase everything from your iPhone including its passcode.

If you really couldn’t remember your passcode anymore, then the only option you have is to erase all data and restore your iPhone in recovery mode. This procedure allows you to bypass the lock screen completely and reset the passcode. All of your data will be wiped out completely and revert to default factory settings. However, you can restore any backup after the recovery mode reset is done. If everything is ready, just follow these steps to get started with a recovery mode restore to fix or unlock your iPhone that’s locked out.

  1. Using the supplied USB/Lightning cable, connect your iPhone XS to the computer then open iTunes on your computer.
  2. Press and release the Volume up button quickly.
  3. Press and release the Volume down button quickly.
  4. Then press and hold the Side button until you see Recovery Mode on your phone. Do not release the Side button if you’ll see the Apple logo screen as you will need to enter recovery mode to restore your device.
  5. Once iTunes prompts you to Restore or Update, select Restore. This will allow iTunes to download the software for your device. Your phone will exit recovery mode if the download takes more than 15 minutes. If that happens, just repeat the steps to enter recovery mode again. 

Once the recovery mode restore process is complete, exit recovery mode and then continue with the initial set up process. 

ALSO READ: How to fix Apple iPhone XS that can’t receive incoming calls

Fourth solution: Perform Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode restore. 

The last option you may consider resorting to aside from a recovery mode restore is the Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode restore. DFU is a state where your iPhone is still able to communicate with iTunes even when the boot loader or iOS is not activated. Once your device has entered this state, it can be updated, restored, or bypassed. Similar to a recovery mode restore, performing a DFU mode restore allows you to erase all data from your iPhone including the passcode. Here’s how to put your iPhone XS in DFU mode and restore it through iTunes:

  1. Connect your iPhone XS to the computer using the supplied USB/Lightning cable. Once connected, open iTunes on your computer. 
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume up button.
  3. Press and quickly release the Volume down button.
  4. Press and hold the Side/Power button until the screen goes black.
  5. After the screen turns black, press and hold the Volume down button while keep holding down the Power/Side button
  6. Wait for 5 seconds then release the Power/Side button but keep holding the Volume down button until your iPhone XS shows up in iTunes. 
  7. Release the Volume down button once you see your iPhone in iTunes then follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to start restoring your iPhone through iTunes.

If you’ve successfully restored your iPhone XS in DFU mode, disconnect it from the computer then perform a force restart on your iPhone exit and boot your device back into normal mode. Here are some steps:

  1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
  2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
  3. Lastly, press and hold the Side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo. 

Wait for the restart process to complete then switch your device to normal mode.

ALSO READ: How to Fix Missing Personal Hotspot on iPhone XS

Fifth solution: Use third-party software to unlock your iPhone XS.

If all procedures are not successful and your iPhone is still locked out, try using a non-Apple iOS unlock software. You can download these types of tools by purchasing them or download for free on a compatible computer. Some popular third-party unlocking tools are Dr. Fone, iOS Passcode Removal, Tenorshare 4uKey and iMyFone Lockwiper. 

Prior to downloading any iOS unlocking software, be sure to read its description, system requirements and reviews from previous users. This will help you determine if the software is indeed compatible with your computer and works best with your iPhone XS operating system. You’ll also be informed about important details by reading the reviews and feedback of the previous users. Once you’ve decided on which tool to pick, download and install the software on your computer then connect your iPhone XS to the computer just like what you usually do when using iTunes to manage your device. 

Still locked out of your iPhone XS?

For further assistance and other advanced solutions, contact your iPhone provider and report the issue. You can also take a trip to the nearest authorized Apple service center and ask help from an iPhone technician to unlock your phone

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We are committed to helping our readers fix the problems with their phones as well as learn how to properly use their devices. So, if you have other issues, you may visit our Help Guides page so you can check by yourself the articles we’ve already published that contain solutions to common problems. Also, we do create videos to demonstrate how things are done on your phone. Visit our Youtube Channel and please subscribe to it. Thanks.


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