Unlocking Apple equipment: iPhone. How to revive a locked iPhone Found iPhone 4 how to unlock password

It is quite rare for situations in which a user has forgotten the iPhone screen lock password. Typically the password is simple and the user unlocks the graphical lock in graphical mode.

This password itself is necessary to ensure that the smartphone cannot be hacked by unauthorized persons. Enabling this password means that it will be impossible to use the phone or even get to its desktop; the phone will only display the status bar, date and time.

However, the lock screen does not block the ability to connect to the “control center”, through which you can connect to an already known Wi-Fi network, bypassing the lock, and also turn on a flashlight, calculator and video camera.

How to unlock your iPhone

Bypassing the iPhone lock password is extremely difficult, since Apple has paid maximum attention to ensuring the security of the devices they produce.

Even a relatively simple four-digit code can lock a device so that it will be much easier to sell it for spare parts than to hack it. Not to mention the fact that you can enter a long password, which could take a hacker a lot of time to unlock.

In most cases, the owner of the device knows how to reset the lock password on an iPhone without much difficulty, since information about this possibility is provided by Apple itself when registering the device on iTunes in the user’s name.

However, unlocking your iPhone through this service means losing all the content on your phone, so it's best to keep a backup of your important data.

The number of attempts to enter the password is limited, and if you are persistent enough in this matter, you can still achieve a complete locking of the device, in which it can only be unlocked through iTunes.

It’s hard to imagine that the user himself would lead to this, but this happens from time to time. And the only way out in case of complete loss of the password is either to check all available combinations or to completely reset the data mentioned above.

Resetting the counter of incorrect attempts to enter passwords

If the user (or anyone else) has entered the wrong password into the iPhone's lock screen for long enough, there is an option to reset the counter. If the device contains extremely important data and the user has a rough idea of ​​what the password should be, this method will be justified, but manually guessing the password will take a very long time.

To do this, you need a USB cable and a computer with access to an iTunes account with which the smartphone has been synchronized at least once. Having all this, it follows:

1. Connect the device to the PC via a USB cable.
2. Synchronize the device through “settings” in the “Overview” tab.

Once the synchronization process begins, the device's temporary lock will be removed. Turning it off and using a hard reset on your iPhone will not achieve the same effect.

How to disable iPhone lock screen password

The iPhone screen lock security password can be disabled if the user so desires. Most often, this is justified when giving the device to a child, who may accidentally lock the device when the password is enabled. To do this you need:

• open Phone Settings, and then go to the “Touch ID and Password” menu, here you should;
• click “Turn off password” and confirm this action;
• enter a valid password and decide on your iCloud keychain.

It will be possible to leave your data protected in Apple services while keeping your own device relatively open. It is also not difficult to lock your iPhone back by repeating the above algorithm of actions, adjusted for enabling the password rather than disabling it.

Users of popular Apple smartphones often set a password on the gadget to increase the security of the mobile device and avoid troubles - theft, loss of the smartphone, or simply to protect their own data from people who can get into the phone.

Even though the password consists of only a few numbers, it is often forgotten. In this case, the problem of unlocking iPhone (4, 4s, 5, 5s, 6, 6 plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, X) becomes relevant, since an ordinary user is unlikely to figure out how to remove the lock on his own. Of course it is possible, but you must follow the instructions below.

Types of blocking

It’s worth noting right away that the expression “unlocking” an Apple smartphone can be used in different situations, and each of them differs in its context. So, there are several types of smartphone locking:

• The user may have simply forgotten the password, which consists of numbers, and needs to reset the password to gain access to the phone;
• Blocking a specific communication provider;
• Blocking via iCloud.

It must be borne in mind that, despite the same word denoting the situation, they have nothing in common with each other. Therefore, for each problem it is important to apply its own algorithm of actions, which was compiled by specialists.

Unlocking with iTunes

To restore access to your smartphone, you need to have a personal computer and the iTunes program at hand, which is part of the software for Apple gadgets. Yes, it is designed for storing and playing music tracks, but it is extremely useful for unlocking a smartphone.

Let's move on to the next method.

How to unlock via iCloud

Unlocking an iPhone via the iCloud service is a method similar to the previous one, but has a slightly different algorithm. This path is suitable only for those users who have connected the Find My iPhone function while using their mobile device. Without it, all that remains is to return to the previous method and try it.

If the option was enabled, then everything turns out to be even simpler. In an Internet browser open on a computer, just go to the iCloud service page and log in using your data. After this, you will need to use the search function for a mobile gadget, and the system will almost instantly detect it. After this, the “Erase iPhone” option will appear, which will unlock the system. Again, all data, photos and other information will be erased from the smartphone's memory.

Unlinking via support

When a smartphone is sold to another user, the previous owner must unlink the device from a special service that may limit the capabilities of the new user. Unlinking from the former Apple ID is necessary if the owner of the device needs a new account or other functions related to identification.

Today, the most effective way to unlink an iPhone from an Apple ID is to contact support. It is quite complex and lengthy, but it also has certain advantages - for example, it will work well if you need to completely delete an account without the possibility of returning it. So, you need to follow the following steps:

It is important to remember that it is best to fill out the form according to certain rules. So, the email must be the one for which the Apple ID was originally registered. In the “Subject” line a request is written about what needs to be deleted. And in the “Comment” line a letter is already left explaining the above request. You can write that the smartphone will be sold or become a gift.

Don't worry if you don't receive a response from support for a long time. They may respond in a few weeks, but the process will end immediately. After clicking on the link provided by company employees, the Apple ID will be completely unlinked.

Unlock via R Sim

R-sim is a universal chip card. Experts have created this module to activate and unlock the iPhone of most models so that users can use their operator’s network.

To use R-sim, you need to have a Nano-sim format SIM card with you. Very often, employees of workshops or communication stores can simply cut a regular SIM card to the required size, but it is best to ask for the operator’s card to be reissued in a mini size. So it will be much thinner than usual.

If you have a card, you need to remove the password from your smartphone and remove the password lock if it was installed on the SIM card. This is done so that the PIN code does not interfere with the correct setup of R-sim. Then you need to insert the chip card into the smartphone so that its “tail” goes under the tray and the chip does not lie on top. Along with the chip, a SIM card is also inserted into the device.

After all manipulations with the chip and SIM card are done, a setup menu will appear on the screen of the mobile device. In it you need to select the appropriate gadget model, your operator and accept the settings. Now the smartphone can be rebooted, and then within a few seconds the iPhone will receive a signal.

Removing Activation Lock

The “Find iPhone” option has been equipped with a new feature since the seventh software – iCloud Activation Lock. It is automatically turned on when setting the first option and significantly complicates life for users who purchased an unlocked smartphone. Each time you activate this option, the smartphone will request your Apple ID and password.

Basically, the problem of removing Activation Lock affects users who purchased a mobile gadget from Apple secondhand. It is known that resetting settings, activating through other programs or resetting settings will not help in this case. And bypassing the blocking is necessary to activate iCloud and start using your device normally.

Of course, you should never save money by buying such an expensive gadget not officially, as you can run into fakes. It can be noted that when buying an iPhone in person, in order not to have to worry about unlocking it, you need to check the full complex of the device.

This is the smartphone itself, a headset, a cable for connecting to a computer, a charger, a box with a sticker (later it will become clear why it is so important), on which you can see the serial number that matches the data on the phone. It wouldn't hurt to ask for a sales receipt.

In order to remove the binding of an iPhone to the Apple ID of the previous owner, if, after all, the phone was purchased unlocked, you need to follow certain recommendations that are associated with contacting support:

1. The first step is to write an official letter to contact company employees who will help solve the problem. There is no clear template for this, so you can briefly describe the situation and your request. You must attach a photo of the iPhone and the stickers that were on the box to the letter. You can also attach a sales receipt;
2. The smartphone box is really important. There are stickers with numbers and identification data on it. If there is no box, you can scan stickers from identical gadget models and make your own layout by entering the IMEI and serial number. The last one is especially important;
3. If you don’t have a receipt, you can also make one yourself. Of course, if you are not afraid of the liability that you may face for falsifying a document. Advice: first it is better to try to write a letter without a receipt, explaining to the employees that they have not saved it. It often happens that users are met halfway - after all, the company values ​​its customers;
4. All this is collected in order to prove to Apple employees that the phone is not stolen or misappropriated, but actually purchased. There's just no way to unlock it. All components must be photographed in one photo. Many people advise against using too good quality footage if the receipt and box are not genuine. Employees are unlikely to take a closer look;
5. When the photo is taken, you can write a letter to one of the official support service email addresses indicating the serial number. You can find out the request number (which you will then have to indicate in the letter) on the website that deals with troubleshooting, and select your problem there. Then you just need to schedule a call using, again, the serial number. This is also done on the website in a special form;
6. After 5-10 days, an Apple employee will respond to the letter. It will indicate that the issue has been assigned a specific number and a company representative will contact the user as soon as possible to resolve the issue. Usually the process takes quite a long time, but it has a good result - the company needs time to check the data.

Restoring without saving information - flashing

All Apple mobile gadgets operate exclusively on the iOS operating system, which is developed specifically for the iPhone, iPad and other devices of the company. Because of this, all resources and software are very tightly connected, literally every function is tailored to the users of these particular devices. In particular, the company very often releases firmware (software) updates, and new versions are designed to eliminate existing errors, improve the security of gadgets and make them more convenient.

The term “firmware” often refers to the process of restoring or updating software itself. To do this without saving user information and data, you need to seek help from specialists who are available in every service center. The operation can be performed right on the spot; it does not require much time. Why do you need firmware? Here are some typical situations:

• If a new operating system update has appeared, and your mobile device is running one of the previous versions. Here you just need to back up the information and then install the new firmware version;
• The latest version of the firmware is already installed on the smartphone, but after this procedure the mobile device began to work incorrectly, applications may crash or the system itself may become glitchy. In this case, you can restore the software, for which you need to enter a special recovery mode (which was already mentioned above), having previously saved the data, if necessary;
• The user independently tried to update the software, but a critical error occurred during the process. Because of this, the gadget may stop functioning correctly. A logo and an image of the cable will appear on the screen, and in some cases the smartphone may not turn on at all. Of course, there are many reasons for this situation. Including system error, incorrect firmware and much more. If the problem is in the program, then it is enough to restore the software. In most cases, this procedure will cause all data stored inside the device to be lost. If you take your smartphone to a service center in time, specialists can help you restore the information or part of it, and also explain how to proceed.

Is it possible to unlock an iPhone if it is locked/lost mode?

The “lost” mode, which is built into the software of Apple gadgets, is initially disabled only by entering the password used to unlock the device. If the user does not know the password or has forgotten it, he will have to identify the device and restore access to the Apple ID. If the mail associated with the ID is available, you can easily reset the password for the ID:

Once all the steps are completed, you can go to the official iCloud website. With two-factor authentication, you will need login confirmation, for which a code is used - it is sent to trusted devices from which the account has functioned in the past. Of course, if it was used only from one smartphone (locked in this situation), then you need to contact support.

In the event that there is no two-factor authentication, or a trusted device is found, it is enough to confirm your login using a verification code that will be sent to another gadget. Afterwards, you can safely go to the “Find iPhone” section, select the device and turn off lost mode.

Is it possible to unlock a found iPhone?

Of course, in our world there are many people who will try to take someone else's mobile gadget for themselves if they find it somewhere. Experts do not recommend even trying to unlock a found iPhone (or any other Apple device) since very often owners still find their smartphone. And in this case it will be difficult to explain why it was unblocked.

If we move away from moral advice, we can tell you very simple instructions that will help you change the unlock password for your Apple gadget. First, you need to connect your phone using a cable to your computer and wait while it syncs with iTunes. Then, again, you need to put the device into update mode - then it will begin connecting to the program on its own.

After this, a message will appear on the screen that the program has detected a device that requires recovery. Moreover, the program itself will recommend performing this procedure. Now you just need to click the “restore” button and wait until the process is over. After this, there will be no data or information left in the gadget’s memory, but if all steps are followed correctly, the method should help. Now the smartphone will work normally without requiring a password.

Often users of the famous smartphone from Apple wonder how to unlock an iPhone.

The fact is that this device is blocked in the absence of movements (touching the screen) and user actions. And you can remove the lock using a key that the user sets himself.

But if this very key is forgotten, then it is impossible to do this. And it turns out that such a good device will just lie there and do nothing.

There are several ways that help you resume full use of iPhone 4, 5 or 6, that is, bypass the key.

1. Method No. 1. iTunes

This is the easiest and most reliable way to solve the problem. On the Apple website it is positioned as standard for iPhone 4, 5 and 6. Therefore, it is worth resorting to first.

Step by step it looks like this:

• Download iTunes from Apple servers (here is the link) and install this program on your computer.
• Take your iPhone and connect it to your computer using a regular USB cable. Launch the program. It should automatically detect the device connected to the computer.
• Open the phone menu (corresponding icon at the top left). In the menu on the left, open the “Overview” section and in the block with the name of the device version, click the “Restore iPhone...” button.

Rice. No. 1. Restore button in iTunes phone bar

After this, the restoration of the iPhone will begin to the state in which it was originally.

In this case, all data will remain in place, although, to be on the safe side, they can be copied via a computer to a PC or flash drive, and then transferred again to the iPhone. Along with all the settings, the password will also be reset, after which the device can be used again as before.

If for some reason it is not possible to complete the steps described above, do this:

• In the same way, connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.
• Next, perform the so-called forced launch. We will not go into detail and tell you what it is, we will just say that on different versions it is launched as follows:

- iPhone 6s and below - simultaneously press (and hold) the “Sleep” and “Home” buttons until a picture appears, as shown in Figure No. 2;

- iPhone 7 and 7 Plus - simultaneously press (and hold) the “Sleep” and volume down buttons until a picture appears, as shown in Figure No. 2.

Rice. No. 2. Recovery Mode Screen

• A message will appear on the computer stating that something is wrong with the connected device and it is better to restore it (this is in brief). Actually, this is what we need. Click on the "Restore" button.

Rice. No. 3. Message about problems with your smartphone

After this, the recovery process will begin - exactly the same as when using iTunes normally. It usually takes no more than 15 minutes.

Attention! Perhaps the process will go wrong and you will have to do everything again. This happens and you need to be prepared for it.

By the way, there is a more aggressive method, which involves guaranteed erasure of all information. It also uses iTunes. But in most cases, standard recovery also works.

If this is not the case, it is better to use method No. 2 from our list.

2. Method number 2. iCloud

In this case, we will do without iTunes.

If someone has forgotten the password for an iPhone 6, 5 or 4, you can use Apple's cloud service to reset the password and, again, all factory settings.

Important! To use iCloud to reset your password, your iPhone must be connected to the Internet. If this is not the case, you will not be able to use the cloud.

But if it is still connected to the network (perhaps the user forgot to turn off the Internet and did the right thing), do this:

• From your computer or other device, go to the Apple phone/tablet/computer search service (here is the link). Log in there. In this case, use the same login and password that are used on the locked iPhone. That is, use the same Apple ID.
• Click on the “Devices” button and find your iPhone in the list. Make sure there is a green circle next to it - this means that this device is available. If this is not the case, you will not be able to use iCloud.

Rice. No. 4. List of available devices in the Apple device search service

• A new panel with information about the selected device and three buttons will appear on the right. Among them is the “Erase iPhone” button. This is the same recovery we used in iCloud. But it’s better, again, to dump all the files onto a computer or flash drive.

Rice. No. 5. Functions of the selected device on the Apple device search service

• Then you will need to enter the password again.

As you can see, in this case you can do without a computer. You just need to know the login and password for the Apple ID that is used on the locked iPhone.

3. Method No. 3. SemiRestore

The two methods described above will not work if you are using unofficial firmware. And in general, they don’t always work, so it would be nice to have another “ace in the hole.” The SemiRestore program acts as such.

To use this program, do the following:

• Download SemiRestore (here is the link) and install it on your computer.
• Connect your iPhone to your computer using the same USB cable.
• Launch SemiRestore and wait until the connected device is detected in the program window.
• When this happens, click on the only button that is located in the middle of the open window - “SemiRestore”. Actually, it implies the beginning of recovery.
• Wait for the cleaning process to finish. You can watch it in the program window.

Rice. No. 6. SemiRestore window and the process of restoring a connected iPhone

At the same time, a variety of processes will occur on the iPhone. It will turn off and on again. There is no need to be afraid of this - everything is fine. Just wait until it's over.

On some models, in particular 4, everything is even simpler - all you need to do is reboot or a few simple manipulations. Learn more about this in the video below.

If you are one of those who do not remember the iPhone code, then once you find out without a password, you can easily cope with this task. To do this, you need to be able to connect to a computer or laptop with iTunes installed.

Even if you have already entered the password incorrectly and the iPhone is locked, you can still synchronize it through iTunes. Before changing the code to enter the device menu, connect it to the USB port using the included cable (detachable from the charger). Be sure to synchronize your data so that you have the opportunity to restore it if it is lost if restored incorrectly.

To use a locked iPhone, you need to enter DFU mode. To do this, reboot the device as follows:

Simultaneously press the lock button and the Home key on the front panel for a few seconds;

When you see the apple-shaped logo on the screen, release the lock by holding the round center button;

Wait for the message about the need to synchronize with iTunes;

When your phone is found by the computer, you will see that it is in recovery mode;

Confirm your consent to this procedure.

To unlock your iPhone if , you need to wait a few minutes until synchronization is complete. The iPhone will return to DFU mode, but there will no longer be a security code on it.

The procedure for unlocking an iPhone without a password is simple, but quite lengthy. Often, users can’t stand it and disconnect the device from their laptop or computer. This should not be done, as if restored incorrectly, all your data may be completely lost. In addition, software malfunctions in the operation of the device may occur in the future.

If you have forgotten your password and don’t know what to do with it, use the suggested method, since it is impossible to unlock your iPhone without iTunes.

Other ways to unlock your iPhone if you forgot your password

So that you can navigate ineffective ways to restore an iPhone without a password, pay attention to the following.

Various sites report that there are bugs in the iOS operating system that allow you to bypass password protection if you make an emergency call. However, Apple has improved this gap, so hacking an iPhone without a password will not work in this way.

There is a method when it is recommended to delete a file with a security code from an iPhone through the IExplorer browser, however, this option is unlikely to lead to the desired result.

Some inept users claim that you can change the password on an iPhone if it is locked using the Find My iPhone application. However, this method is doomed to failure.

If you come across instructions that claim that you can unlock the password on an iPhone without iTunes, then you should not waste time using them, as they will be useless.

The story of the FBI's unsuccessful attempts to hack the Texas shooter's iPhone has spread all over the world. On the one hand, this shows the reliability of iOS as an operating system, and on the other, it serves as a warning to inattentive users. In this material we will tell you how to unlock iPhone 4S and other older models. We will not compete with the FBI in hacking practices. It is assumed that you perform all operations with your own smartphone.

Locking a phone can mean several actions. The simplest one, which the user encounters every day, involves protection from unauthorized access. The screen can only be unlocked by entering a numeric password. Without it, you can only make an emergency call to the rescue services. The call is free and can be made even with a negative balance.

This was done in case something happens to the owner of the smartphone. The person who finds it will be able to call for help even when the display is locked. You don't need to know the password for this. Additionally, to help doctors, the user can enter the necessary data into the electronic medical record in advance.

In addition to blood type, you can indicate chronic diseases and note intolerance to certain drugs. For emergency communication with relatives, a contact telephone number is indicated.

Thus, using the capabilities of the general lock screen, the iPhone owner can protect himself in case of unforeseen circumstances. To eliminate the possibility of guessing a password at random, there is a function to erase data after ten unsuccessful typing attempts. This option is activated by the user independently in the security settings.

If you manage to forget a given combination of numbers, but remember your Apple ID account information, you can reset your smartphone this way and then restore it from an iCloud backup.

iTunes

Synchronizing your iPhone with your computer is one of the purposes of iTunes. macOS has it built into the operating system, but Windows users can install it separately. Unlocking a normally working smartphone for which the user has forgotten the password is performed in one step. To do this, you need to connect to your PC using a USB cable. When the program recognizes the phone, select “Browse” in the navigation menu.

At the top of the main window, in the general information about the smartphone field, a marked item will appear. By clicking the “Restore” button, we start downloading the latest version of the OS - in this case it is iOS 11.2. The time it takes to receive it from Apple servers depends on the speed of the connection used. There is no user intervention required during the recovery phase, so you can leave your iPhone connected to your PC and do other things. After the flashing is completed, the data stored in memory remains unchanged, only the access code is reset.

Recovery Mode

If for some reason you cannot restore your iPhone using the method described above and remove the forgotten lock, you will have to sacrifice its contents. With regular synchronization with iCloud configured, the maximum you will lose is the data of the last 24 hours. In this case, you need to connect your smartphone and then put it into recovery mode. This is done in exactly the same way as a forced reboot.

For iPhone 4S (model A1387), press the power and home buttons simultaneously. The iTunes and cable logos will appear on the screen to indicate a successful connection. If you release the power button and hold only “Home” when the display goes dark, the iPhone will enter DFU mode. In both cases, iTunes will be able to find the device, download the necessary firmware and start its installation.

A lost device can be locked remotely using the Find My iPhone feature. It also allows you to erase data if necessary. You can use this option from any other Apple device or through a web browser. In the action menu, select the marked item and erase the data, returning the smartphone to its original factory state. After this, you can restore the data using iTunes if the backup is stored on your computer, or via iCloud if it is in the cloud.

You can perform this operation for devices linked to the same Apple ID or connected by family sharing.

Foreign mobile operators can sell iPhones with a contract. By purchasing such a device, you automatically become a subscriber for a period of one or two years. During this period, you pay the operator the cost of the device and services with a slight discount. This is a unique type of purchase in installments without obtaining a loan. The problem is that until the contract with the operator expires, you cannot use another SIM card on it, since its activation fails.

This is the most unpleasant type of blocking, which you cannot disable on your own. This is usually encountered when purchasing second-hand “gray” devices. Help in solving this problem is provided by specialized offices, which will need the IMEI of your smartphone from you. You can find it in the settings in the “General” group. In addition, to save time, it is advisable to know the foreign operator. The procedure for so-called “unlocking” a smartphone takes up to 20 days, and the cost varies from one to 10–12 thousand rubles.

Finally

The main condition for successful unlocking is knowledge of the Apple ID data. When buying secondhand, you should definitely make sure that the smartphone is unlinked from the previous owner’s account and reset to factory settings.

Video instructions

You can see how the described unlocking methods work in the overview video below.