Anyone who uses code entry as the unlock method on their iPhone and has entered the wrong passcode too often is facing a big problem: iPhone is disabled. We reveal what to do now.
Anyone who finds his cell phone in this condition, either has not written too often after a night of drinking or a child has been happily playing on the screen. Whatever the reason for the iPhone was disabled, the bad news first: iPhone data is irretrievably lost if the cell phone is not backed up. In this guide, we explain the recovery procedure for all popular iPhone models.
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Forgot your iPhone passcode – be careful if you enter the wrong passcode too often
A long time must have elapsed between entries before the iPhone locks up and displays the “iPhone is disabled” message. Because Apple’s protection does not take effect immediately after ten consecutive incorrect code entries. Rather, it also blocks entry for up to an hour if the code is entered incorrectly too many times. Here’s how Apple staggers unlock attempts:
- 6 failed attempts: “iPhone is disabled, please try again in 1 minute.”
- 7 wrong entries: “iPhone is disabled, please try again in 5 minutes.”
- 8 incorrect entries: “iPhone is disabled, please try again in 15 minutes.”
- 9 incorrect entries: “iPhone is disabled, please try again in 60 minutes.”
- 10 incorrect entries: “iPhone is disabled”
What to do if the iPhone has been disabled?
When the iPhone is disabled, it can be reset to remove the passcode lock. As already mentioned at the beginning, all data, apps, contacts and photos on the device will be deleted. It is even more important to regularly create a backup.
If you’re using an iPhone and using a Windows PC for recovery, you do it through iTunes. Mac users restart iPhone using Finder. First, the iPhone will go into recovery mode.
Enable recovery mode on iPhone 8 or newer:
- The iPhone must not be connected to a computer
- Press and hold the right side button and one volume button
- Turn off the iPhone using the slider
- Now hold the side button and connect the iPhone to the computer with a cable
- Press and hold the side button until the screen shows recovery mode
Enable recovery mode on iPhone 7 or 7 Plus:
- The iPhone must not be connected to a computer
- Hold the right side button
- Turn off the iPhone using the slider
- Now hold the volume down button and connect the iPhone to the computer with a cable
- Press and hold the volume down button until the screen shows recovery mode
Enable recovery mode on iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6s or earlier:
- The iPhone must not be connected to a computer
- Press and hold the right side button or the top button
- Turn off the iPhone using the slider
- Now hold down the home button and connect the iPhone to the computer with a cable
- Press and hold the home button until the screen shows recovery mode
On Windows, the iPhone can now be restored through iTunes. On macOS, the option is in the Finder. I get the message: “There is a problem with ‘iPhone’ that requires an update or restore.” Here, users of a disabled iPhone must now select “Restore” instead of “Update”.
If it takes more than 15 minutes to charge, the iPhone will exit recovery mode and you will need to repeat the steps until you choose to restore to computer.
Erase iPhone via iCloud
Anyone who has turned on “Find My iPhone” on their iPhone or can’t use the computer to reset their iPhone can also use iCloud to reset it. All data will also be deleted and an existing backup can be loaded:
- Go to Apple’s iCloud website in a web browser
- Sign in with Apple ID and password (perform two-factor authentication if necessary)
- Click the Find iPhone icon
- Select “All Devices” at the top
- Click on iPhone disabled
- Click “Erase iPhone”.
- The device must now be removed from the list for the activation lock to be removed
The device can be wiped through the iCloud website. / © NextPit
Recover data: via iTunes, Finder or iCloud
The disabled iPhone is now unlocked, but there is no data on it either. The iPhone can now be set up as a new device or, ideally, restored from a recent backup. To do this, Windows users connect iPhone to PC and select the most recent backup during the setup process. Mac users can find the device in Finder and also select the most recent backup to restore data.
If you signed up for a storage plan on your iPhone and turned on automatic backups through iCloud, you can restore iPhone through iCloud Backup during the setup process. In our detailed guide, we show step by step how to safely create and backup iPhone via iCloud or iTunes.
In the next few days I have decided to write you the most common iPhone problems and their solutions. By doing so, I focus on the problems that keep popping up around me. Do you have problems or questions with your Apple device that you could create a guide for? Let me know in the comments or send me a message.
You can find more tips and tricks for your iPhone here: