Locked out of your iPhone and forgotten your passcode? Use a computer to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode so you can erase your phone and set it up again.
Forgotten the passcode on your iPad?
Forgotten the passcode on your iPod touch?
Use your iPhone to reset your iPhone passcode
Use your old passcode to temporarily access your iPhone or iPad in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 or later
If you’ve entered the wrong passcode on your iPhone Lock Screen too many times, an alert will let you know your iPhone has been disabled. (Find out what to do if you see “[Device] unavailable” or “Security Lockout” on your iPhone or iPad.)
If you can’t remember your passcode when you try again, use a computer to put your iPhone in Recovery Mode. Recovery mode allows you to erase the iPhone, giving you access to set it up again. You will need your Apple ID and password to set your iPhone up again.
After you’ve erased your iPhone, you can restore your data and settings from a backup. If you didn’t back up your iPhone, you can set it up as a new device and then download any data you have in iCloud.
Step 1: Make sure you have a computer (Mac or PC)
This process requires a Mac or PC. If you’re using a PC, make sure it has Windows 10 or later and the Apple Devices app or iTunes is installed. You’ll also need the cable that came with your iPhone or another compatible cable to connect your iPhone to the computer.
If you don’t have a computer and you can’t borrow one, you’ll need to go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider for help.
Step 2: Turn off your iPhone
Unplug your iPhone from the computer if it’s connected.
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.
Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone, then wait a minute to make sure it turns off completely.
Step 3: Put your iPhone in recovery mode
Get ready by finding the button on your iPhone that you’ll need to hold in the next step:
iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X and later, including iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation) use the side button.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus use the volume down button.
iPhone SE (1st generation) and iPhone 6s and earlier use the Home Button.
Press and hold the correct button for your iPhone while immediately connecting your iPhone to the computer.
Continue to hold the button while the Apple logo appears and don’t let go of the button until the image of a computer and cable has appeared.
If you see the passcode screen, you need to turn off your iPhone and start again.
If you can’t get your iPhone to show the recovery mode screen and you need help, contact Apple Support.
Step 4: Restore your iPhone with your Mac or PC
Locate your iPhone in the Finder, or in iTunes or the Apple Devices app if you connect to a PC. (Find out how to find your connected iPhone.)
Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update. Your computer will download software for your iPhone and begin the restore process. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then turn off your iPhone and start again.
Wait for the process to finish. Once the process has finished, your device will restart and show a setup screen.
Disconnect your iPhone from the computer, then set up and use your iPhone.
Need more help?
Find out what to do if you see an error when you update or restore your iPhone, iPad or iPod
Find out how to change your iPhone passcode
Find out how to use iCloud to erase and restore your iPhone
If you can’t complete any of these steps, if you’re still prompted for a passcode or if you need any other assistance, contact Apple Support.
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