How to Unlock an iPhone Without Siri GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > iPhone & iOS

How to Unlock an iPhone Without Siri

A locked phone isn't necessarily an expensive paperweight

By Susan J. Owens Susan J. Owens Writer Ohio State University Former Lifewire writer Susan J. Owens is a tech writer focused on AI, blockchain, and virtual machines. Her work appears in InformationWeek, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 23, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section Only Attempt to Unlock Your Own Device Use iTunes to Unlock Your Phone Use Find My iPhone to Unlock Your Phone When You've Entered the Wrong Passcode Too Many Times What to Do After Your iPhone Is Unlocked Whether you've forgotten your passcode, or you can't enter the code on your phone because of a damaged screen, all hope is not lost. Learn how to unlock your iPhone without Siri or a passcode. Unlocking an iPhone with these methods could put you at risk of losing some, or all, of your data if you haven't backed up your device to iTunes or iCloud.

Access and Ethics Is This Your Device

Before we start, understand that this information is intended to help people access information on their own devices. Passcodes are an important iPhone safeguard in preventing other people from accessing our private information. More importantly, unlocking a cellular device grants access to social media accounts, email accounts, and messaging apps that should only be used by the owner. Unlocking someone else's phone without their permission may also be illegal, depending on where you live. Regardless of any lack of legal ramifications, unlocking someone else's device is an invasion of privacy and is unethical.

How to Unlock Your iPhone Without Siri or Passcode Using iTunes

When using iTunes to unlock your phone, you'll be wiping out the passcode of your device, which also wipes out the data. To use iTunes to unlock your phone, use any computer, including a non-Mac computer, as long as the computer has the latest version of iTunes. However, when restoring your device using iTunes from a backup, you must use a computer you've previously used to sync your phone. Otherwise, your data will not be there. Use a computer to open iTunes on a Mac or PC. Turn off your device and boot into recovery mode. On your computer, you'll see the option to Restore or Update in iTunes. Select Restore. iTunes will begin downloading software for your device, which could take up to 15 minutes. If 15 minutes have passed, and the software hasn't downloaded to your device, your device will automatically exit recovery mode. Repeat the steps above. After this process, your iPhone should be restored with the information from its last backup, but will no longer require the password. Once the process is complete, you can set up and use your device. Apple gives you an option to configure your device to erase itself after 10 consecutive incorrect password attempts. While this is off by default, turn it on by going to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. You'll be asked to enter your password to enter this area. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Erase Data toggle to On.

How to Unlock iPhone Without Siri or Passcode Using Find My iPhone

Find my iPhone isn't only useful for helping you locate a lost device, but can also be used to help you access a locked iPhone. Using Find my iPhone will erase your passcode, and unfortunately, all of your data. However, once the process is complete, you can use iTunes or iCloud to restore your data. Use another device or computer to visit the Find my iPhone page. You don't need to use an Apple device to open this page, only a web browser with an internet connection. Sign in with your iCloud password, which is the Apple ID associated with your device. Select All Devices at the top middle of your screen. All of your devices associated with this Apple ID will appear on your screen. Select the device you are trying to unlock. Select Erase iPhone to delete all your data on your device, including your passcode. Use iTunes or iCloud to restore your data.

Unlock iPhone After Entering Wrong Passcode Too Many Times

If you or someone else have entered the wrong password too many times, your Apple ID automatically locks, as a security measure. Here's how to unlock your Apple ID. The Apple support page doesn't specify the number of attempts, but says, "After multiple unsuccessful attempts to unlock your account, your Apple ID will remain locked and you can try again the next day." Go to iforgot.apple.com to unlock your account with your existing password or to reset your password. You may be required to answer a few security questions to verify your identity. If you've activated two-factor authentication, you can use a trusted device or phone number to unlock your Apple ID.

After Your iPhone Is Unlocked

By following one of the methods above, your iPhone will unlock and you can set a new passcode. You can also restore the iPhone using an existing backup from iTunes or iCloud. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Unlock an iPhone Without a Passcode Forgot Your iPhone Passcode? Here's How to Fix It How to Reset Restrictions Passcode on an iPhone How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Any Phone How to Factory Reset an iPhone (All Models) How to Restore Your iPhone From a Backup How to Fix 'iPhone Is Disabled' Error How to Set up a New iPhone How to Restore Your iPod Touch to Factory Settings How to Change Your iPhone's Name How to Unlock iCloud-Locked iPhones How to Set Up and Use Touch ID, the iPhone Fingerprint Scanner How to Fix: I Forgot My iPad Password or Passcode How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone How to Delete an iCloud Email Account Permanently How to Unlock Your Apple Watch with iPhone or Passcode Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies