Forgot iPhone lock code - what to do?

If you forget your iPhone lock code yourself, good advice is expensive. But if you do the following steps, you'll quickly have an unlocked Apple device in your hands again.

Forgot iPhone lock code: Reset entire phone via iTunes

To remove the lock code of your iPhone, you have to reset the phone via a computer with iTunes and then import a backup to get your data back.

• Option 1: If you do not have a backup on your computer, your personal data on the iPhone will be lost! You can find out how to reset your iPhone in this case if you forget the lock code under "Reset iPhone - Here's how".
• Option 2: Alternatively, you can start the iPhone in DFU mode and reset it via iTunes. If you have activated the "Find my iPhone" function, this will unfortunately not work. You can find out how to solve the problem in the next paragraph.

Problem: "Find my iPhone" is activated

If the "Find my iPhone" function is activated and you have forgotten the lock code, you must completely delete your iPhone. However, it can then be restored from a backup.

1. Open the iCloud.com website and log in with your Apple ID.
2. Click here on the "My iPhone" category and select your iPhone under "All devices" above.
3. Then click on the "Delete iPhone" option on the right and confirm the instruction with your password.
4. Then agree to the "Remove from account" option.
5. If the iPhone is connected to the Internet, it will be completely deleted. To restore, you need to connect it to iTunes on your PC.

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In the event that you ever forget your code to unlock the iPhone, you should make sure that the smartphone is backed up regularly. Otherwise, data loss is almost inevitable. Under "iCloud" in the settings on the iPhone, you can also activate the automatic backup, which stores your data in the background in the iCloud. This way, your data is always protected, even if you forget the lock code again. If you need individual help with iPhone iOS, please contact the experts in the CHIP forum

Video tip: locate iPhone