The unlock code for an iPhone or iPad becomes the device’s password so that it can be accessed and used normally. We could assimilate it to the PIN code of the SIM card, which we cannot use and can even become blocked when we enter it incorrectly on several occasions.
It is the way in which iOS “ensures” that the person who is using the device is the authorized user, and possibly not other than the person who configured it for the first time and, therefore, is characterized by being the owner of the same.
Entering our unlock code to the iPhone incorrectly several times, when we believe it is the correct one, can end up becoming a truly frustrating experience. Especially when we enter a password thinking that it is the correct one and yet nothing works.
Worse still, after a certain number of unsuccessful attempts, a message will appear on the screen of our mobile phone informing us that the iPhone has been deactivated . At that time, the device will be disabled and the only way to use it again is by connecting it to iTunes or deleting its content through iCloud . So what can we do when we can’t remember the password (or the unlock code) for the device?
Be patient
When we make a mistake when entering the unlock code for our iPhone and the device continues to be locked, it is normal to try again repeatedly without stopping to think for a moment if it was originally the correct password. This is even more common when, in addition, we are in a hurry to use the device.
If it has ever happened to you, you probably know that, after a certain number of failed attempts, the iPhone will be locked for a certain time, during which time it will not be possible to enter the code again.
Although it is true that initially the deactivation period can be 1 minute, if we commit the clumsiness of entering the wrong unlock code several more times, this period can reach 60 minutes. And what is even worse: it can happen that, simply, the iPhone is completely blocked.
Therefore, although it may seem obvious, it is advisable to be patient and not make the mistake of re-entering new codes quickly if we are not sure that they are correct .
A good solution can be to sit down in front of the device, calmly, and write down the codes already entered (and that have not been correct), and write down those that we think could be. Again, it is advised to try again only when we are one hundred percent sure that it could be the right one .
Restore iPhone using iTunes
When we exceed ten attempts, the iPhone is completely blocked , so the solution is only to connect it to iTunes and restore it . Although you may think that it is an easier option than remembering the correct unlock code, there is a problem: this step will delete all the data on the device , so unless we have a recent backup , we will end up losing everything.
To start the process, we need to connect the iPhone to the Mac or PC, and launch iTunes . We wait a few minutes for iTunes to sync with the device. If nothing happens, we must click on the phone icon shown in the left column.
We click the Restore iPhone button, and wait a few minutes for the restoration process to complete. Once it is finished, we can select the option Restore from the iTunes backup , selecting the most recent backup.
Deleting iPhone content using iCloud
If you’ve ever lost your iPhone, you may have already used the Find feature. Of course, this option will only work when the disabled iPhone is connected to the Internet.
On the Mac we go to icloud.com, and click on the Find my iPhone option. Then, we must enter the password of our Apple account and, a few seconds later, a map will appear on the screen that will show the approximate location of our devices.
We click on the All devices option, which we find at the top of the screen, and select the iPhone that we want to delete (obviously, the one that is locked). Then, we click Erase iPhone , and the system will start to erase it remotely. Keep in mind that this step will also delete the content of the device, so it is not advisable to do it unless we have a recent backup.
