How Many Attempts To Unlock iPhone: Here Are Our Test Results

If you forgot the passcode you just set and have entered the wrong one multiple times, you might be wondering how many attempts you can make before your iPhone becomes disabled or unavailable. In this guide, I'll explain how many passcode attempts to unlock iPhone are allowed before an iPhone is completely disabled or unavailable, based on my tests with three iPhones running iOS 15.8.2, iOS 16.5, and iOS 17.4.1.

How Many Attempts to Unlock an iPhone?

The number of times you can enter the wrong passcode before your iPhone becomes disabled or unvailable depends on whether you lock the screen between attempts and the iOS version you're using.

If You Don't Lock the Screen Between Attempts

If you continue entering the wrong passcode without locking the screen, you'll get more chances to try.

In my test, on an iPhone 7 running iOS 15.8.2, I was able to enter the wrong passcode 22 times until seeing the "iPhone unavailable, try again in 1 minute" message. After that, I had 3 more attempts before the phone was completely locked, making it about 25 attempts in total.

Here's a table summarizing the consequences of failed passcode attempts based on different iOS versions and whether the screen is locked after each attempt:

On my iPhone 8 running iOS 16.5, I had 15 attempts until the "iPhone unavailable, try again in 1 minute" message appeared, and 5 more tries before the phone was fully locked—so about 20 attempts in total.

On my iPhone 13 running iOS 17.4.1, I was allowed 13 attempts until the "iPhone unavailable, try again in 1 minute" message, with 5 more chances afterward, totaling about 18 attempts.

If You Lock the Screen After Each Attempt

If you lock the screen after each failed attempt, Apple limits the number of tries. For the iPhone 7 running iOS 15.8.2, locking the screen after each attempt gave me 15 chances before the "iPhone unavailable, try again in 1 minute" message appeared, and another 3 attempts before it was fully locked—about 18 attempts overall.

On both my iPhone 8 and iPhone 13, I had only 6 attempts until the "iPhone unavailable, try again in 1 minute" message appeared, followed by 5 more attempts before the phone was completely locked—about 11 attempts in total.

For device running before iOS 15.2, it's 9 attempts in total before it's completely locked.

Forgot iPhone Passcode? How to Unlock It

If you enabled the data erasure feature when setting up your passcode, you have 10 attempts before the phone automatically erases all data. After the tenth attempt, the data is permanently wiped, and unless you backed up your information to iCloud, it cannot be recovered.

To regain access to your iPhone without a passcode, you can try any of the following methods. The important thing is to avoid websites that claim to unlock your phone in exchange for your Apple ID information—they do not work. Instead, here are some legitimate methods to unlock a disabled iPhone. Let's dive in!

Unlock iPhone Passcode Via Unlockit iPhone

In many cases, the methods to unlock an iPhone without a passcode can be too extreme. Some of us, including me, simply aren't tech-savvy enough to get it right. Such a method can do more harm than good. That's where the Unlockit iPhone comes in. This software is perfect for people that want a hassle-free experience when getting back into their phones.

What sets Unlockit iPhone apart?

• It is universally compatible with all iPhone models and supports iOS versions 12 through 17, including future updates.
• Developed by leading IT experts, the software simplifies the unlocking process with minimal steps and no need for repetition.
• An internet connection, iCloud, and iTunes are not required, making this the easiest method to unlock an iPhone.

Here's how to use it:

Step 1. Download and install Unlockit iPhone on your computer and run it.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone via a lightning cable and ensure a secure connection. Select "Unlock Screen Passcode" from the main screen.

Step 3. Boot your device into Recovery mode.

Step 4. Click 'Download' to get the required firmware.

Step 5. Once the firmware is downloaded, click 'Remove' to start the unlock process. Your phone will unlock within minutes, with no further steps required.

Unlock iPhone Passcode Using Recovery Mode

If you prefer a hands-on approach and don't mind some technical troubleshooting, unlocking your phone through Recovery Mode is another option.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Download iTunes on your PC or open Finder on your Mac.
2. Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode: Press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, then hold the side button.
3. Open iTunes or Finder, log in with your Apple ID, and select your device.
4. Choose the "Restore" option when prompted.
5. Wait while your iPhone is restored to its original settings.

Pros

1. No professional help required.
2. It's free and reliable.
3. It's Apple's preferred recovery method.

Cons

1. All data and customizations will be erased.
2. Sometimes the device won't boot into Recovery Mode.
3. Requires logging in with your Apple ID and password.

Unlock iPhone Passcode Using iTunes

If your iPhone was previously synced with a computer, you can use iTunes to unlock it.

1. Connect your device to the previously synced computer.
2. Open iTunes, select your device, and click 'Restore iPhone' in the Summary tab.

Your iPhone will return to its factory settings, and all data will be erased. Note that this method won't work if your computer was not previously synced to your phone.

Pros

1. Easy to use, even for beginners.
2. It's free.

Cons

1. You lose all data and customizations.
2. Your phone must have been synced to the computer you're using.
3. Requires logging in with your Apple ID and password.

Unlock iPhone Passcode Using Find My iPhone

Find My iPhone helps you locate lost devices and it can also be used to remove locks if you've forgotten your passcode or Apple ID.

This method is simple and Apple-approved, but it only works if Find My iPhone is enabled and the phone is connected to the internet.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Log into iCloud on your computer with your Apple ID.
2. Select the Find My iPhone app.
3. Choose "All Devices" and select the locked iPhone.
4. Click 'Erase iPhone' and confirm.

Pros

1. Easy to use.
2. No external help needed.

Cons

1. Requires your Apple ID and password.
2. You lose all data and customizations.
3. Won't work if Find My iPhone wasn't enabled or if the device isn't connected to the internet.

Unlock iPhone Passcode Via "Security Lockout"

The Security Lockout feature allows you to erase your iPhone after entering the wrong passcode multiple times without computer.

1. Ensure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data.
2. Tap 'Erase iPhone' on the Security Lockout screen.
3. Enter your Apple ID password to log out.
4. Tap 'Erase iPhone' again to reset your phone.

Pros

1. Preferred by Apple.

Cons

1. Only available if Find My iPhone is enabled and your device is running iOS 15.2 or newer.
2. All data and settings will be erased.

FAQs

Q1: Can I enable Find My after my iPhone is locked?

No, Find My must be enabled before your phone is locked. Once locked, you cannot enable it.

Q2: What is Apple's most trusted method for unlocking an iPhone?

Apple prefers methods that allow users to unlock their phones themselves. However, using a trusted service like Unlockit iPhone is a great option for non-tech-savvy users.

Q3: How do I check if my iPhone is synced to a computer?

Log into iCloud with your Apple ID and view all connected devices. Both your iPhone and computer should be listed there.

Q4: How can I prevent forgetting my passcode?

Consider using Face ID or Touch ID for easier access. Both are secure and convenient alternatives.

Conclusion

If you ever get locked out of your phone, you now have several methods to regain access. While many of these options require specific settings or may take time, the easiest and most efficient solution is to use Unlockit iPhone. When it comes to your phone, it's always better to avoid unnecessary risks.