How to Unlock iPhone: Screen, Carrier & iCloud Activation Lock

An iPhone lock can mean many things:

• It could be the simple screen lock — a forgotten passcode or unavailable Face ID/Touch ID. 
• Perhaps it is the Activation Lock which needs the original Apple ID to bypass.
• Maybe it is a carrier lock that restricts the phone to one mobile network.

Each of these locks on the iPhone can be removed in different ways. In this guide, we’ll go through all the solutions to unlock iPhone whether it’s stuck on screen lock, Activation Lock or carrier lock. We’ll introduce both official ways, such as iTunes restore to unlock iPhone passcode and alternatives like Passixer to bypass screen lock, iCloud lock or other 5 types of iOS locks.

How to Unlock iPhone Lock Screen

Unlocking an iPhone lock screen is straightforward when you still remember the passcode. If the password has slipped your mind or Face ID/Touch ID has stopped working, don’t worry, we’ll cover how to bypass iPhone lock screen with or without passcode here.

Types of iPhone Screen Lock

iPhone offers three types of screen locks, including passcode (a 4-or6-digit code or a custom code), Face ID and Touch ID. To set up Face ID or Touch ID, you must first create a passcode.  

• From iPhone 5s through iPhone 8 Plus, models with a home button came with Touch ID.
• Starting with iPhone X in 2017, Apple introduced Face ID, which has since become the standard.

How to Unlock iPhone with Passcode or Face ID

When you remember your passcode or Face ID is available, unlocking iPhone is as simple as it gets:

• Wake your iPhone.
• Position your face to get in. If Face ID doesn’t work, the passcode field will appear automatically. Type in your digits to get back in.

How to Unlock iPhone Without Passcode or Face ID

There are times you need to bypass Face ID and passcode on iPhone. For instance, your iPhone asks for the screen passcode after several unsuccessful Face ID attempts, but you may have forgotten it because you seldom enter it. Take it easy, in this part, we will discover effective ways for you to get into your locked iPhone with or without losing data.

Unlock iPhone Passcode Without Resetting [No Data Loss]

If you are locked out of your iPhone because you forget the new passcode you set recently, then this part is for you. Read on to check whether you meet the conditions to unlock your iPhone without passcode and data loss.

Use Previous Screen Passcode (Only Way Without Losing Data)

On iOS 17 versions or later, you get one chance to remove the forgotten passcode with the previous one. No data loss will occur during the passcode removal. However, this way only works if you have changed the passcode within the last 72 hours and you still remember the old one.

Here’s how:

Step 1. Intentionally enter the wrong passcode a few times until the iPhone Unavailable screen appears.

Step 2. Tap Forgot Passcode? at the bottom.

Step 3. If you changed the passcode in the last 72 hours, you’ll see the Enter Previous Passcode option here. Tap that.

Step 4. Enter the old passcode. Then, iOS will prompt you to create and confirm a new passcode.

Step 5. Once done, you’ll regain access to your iPhone with no data loss.

Aside from this Apple-approved method, you’ll come across various “tricks” online claiming to unlock an iPhone without erasing data. Most of them worked years ago but now Apple has patched them. Still, if you’re curious or using the old iPhone, you can check these older approaches:

Unlock iPhone Passcode with Resetting [Data Loss]

Factory resetting is necessary for unlocking a locked iPhone most of the time, meaning that all data and settings will be wiped from your iPhone. Next, we will share you the powerful ways to remove iPhone screen lock under different cases.

⚠️ Warnings

• 1. All personal data and settings will be erased, including photos, apps, Wi-Fi passwords, eSIM profiles and more.
• 2. You will need the SIM PIN after the reset, if you have set one before.
• 3. If Find My is enabled on your iPhone, you have to provide the Apple ID and password to bypass Activation Lock after reset.

by Lorena Senior Content Strategist & Editor

Here is the overview of reset methods in brief, so you can decide which suits you best:

Way 1. Reset iPhone Without iTunes

Although iTunes or Finder is a useful tool to restore and unlock your iPhone, it may not be available to you because of failed iPhone detection or you want a quicker method to regain access to your locked iPhone. In such cases, Passixer iPhone Unlocker must be what you want.

Passixer is specifically designed to handle all types of iOS screen locks including 4-digit or 6-digit passcode, a custom alphanumeric/numeric code, Face ID or Touch ID. It will also work if the device screen is unresponsive or broken. Passixer will remove iPhone screen lock in around 30 minutes and let you set up the device as new.

Steps to Use Passixer iPhone Unlocker

Way 2. Reset iPhone from Lock Screen

On iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and later, Apple has added a convenient Erase  option right on the lock screen. It lets you factory reset the iPhone without needing a computer. Still, there are a couple of conditions, besides the system requirements:

• Find My iPhone must be switched on.
• The locked iPhone should be connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• Your iPhone is signed with an Apple ID and you know the Apple ID password.

As long as these conditions are in place, here’s how the process unfolds:

Step 1. Enter the wrong passcode to invoke the iPhone Unavailable screen. Tap Forgot Passcode(iOS 17 or later) or Erase iPhone(iOS 15.2 to iOS 16).

Step 2. In iOS 17 or later, tap iPhone Reset > Start iPhone Reset. For iOS 15.2 to iOS 16, hit Erase iPhone again.

Step 3. The phone will display the Apple ID associated with the device. Type in the Apple ID password to confirm it’s you.

Step 4. Finally, tap Erase iPhone to confirm.

Way 3. Reset iPhone Using Another Device

Another simple method is to unlock the disabled iPhone with another device via Apple’s Find My service. You can do this either from the Find My app on another iPhone or iPad signed in with the same Apple ID or through any browser on an Android phone or other devices.

Requirements:

• Your Apple ID and password in the disabled iPhone.
• The locked iPhone must be online, so the reset can be triggered instantly.
• Find My is activated on the locked iPhone.

Here’s how it works on browser:

Step 1. On another device, simply visit iCloud Find My in a browser.

Step 2. Sign in with your Apple ID.

Step 3. Go to All Devices and select the iPhone that’s locked.

Step 4. Choose Erase This Device. This wipes all data and removes the lock screen, given the iPhone is online.

Step 5. Once reset, the iPhone will display the activation screen. Enter the same Apple ID and password to get back in.

Way 4. Reset iPhone via Computer

You can also lean on iTunes, Finder or the Apple Devices app to restore the iPhone to factory state and thus remove the passcode. For details, here’s how to unlock iPhone with computer:

Step 1. Shut down the iPhone and connect it to your computer.

Step 2. Put iPhone into recovery mode by pressing the correct button combination.

Step 3. Once in recovery mode, a pop up window will appear in iTunes, Finder or the Apple Devices app. Choose Restore. After the reset is done, the iPhone will reboot to the setup screen.

Bonus: How to Unlock Broken/Unresponsive iPhone

If your iPhone doesn’t accept the correct iPhone passcode because the touch layer of the devices has died. Don’t hurry to factory reset the phone to regain access, which will erase all data and settings. There are ways to access the locked iPhone with broken screen without any data loss. Workarounds such as Apple’s built-in accessibility features or external hardware can work. To explore your options, see: How to Unlock iPhone with Broken Screen.

How to Unlock iPhone from Carrier

Another type of common lock you face on an iPhone is the carrier lock (also called a SIM lock). When this lock exists, your iPhone only works with one specific mobile carrier’s SIM card.

For example, if you purchased an iPhone from AT&T under contract, it will typically accept only AT&T SIM cards. To make the iPhone work with any SIM card, the carrier lock has to be removed. That’s exactly what we’ll explore in this section, from checking whether a SIM lock exists on your device to removing the carrier lock for good.

How to Check If Your iPhone Is Carrier Unlocked

Almost all carriers (in most regions) follow auto-unlock policies set by the local governments, so it is better to first check the current phone status. This avoids any unnecessary steps. You can check if the iPhone is unlocked with or without a SIM card yourself. Here’s how both the process looks:

Way 1. Via iPhone Settings

This option is available on iOS 14 and later:

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > About menu.

Step 2. Scroll down until you see Carrier Lock (or Network Provider Lock) line and check the prompt next to the option.

• No SIM Restrictions: The iPhone is unlocked and can be used with any SIM card.
• SIM Locked: Your iPhone is currently tied to a carrier.

Way 2. Insert Another SIM Card

On any iPhone model:

Step 1. Remove the current SIM card. Place a SIM card from a different carrier in the SIM tray.

Step 2. Check the result:

• If the phone connects and shows network bars, it is not locked.
• If you see SIM Not Supported or Invalid SIM error, then your iPhone is currently carrier locked.

When Do You Need to Unlock Your iPhone Carrier

Let’s look at the most common scenarios where removing the carrier lock becomes important and what you can do in each of them:

Case 1. Use Local SIM When Travelling Abroad

International roaming charges can be painfully expensive. A practical way to save money is to buy a local SIM card in the country you’re visiting, so you can enjoy local rates for calls and data. And when the iPhone is carrier locked, this becomes impossible.

For tips on unlocking your SIM abroad, read: Traveling Abroad with iPhone: How to Manage Data and SIM Unlocking.

Case 2. Use Your Own SIM Card on a Second-Hand Carrier-Locked iPhone

Another common scenario comes up with second-hand phones. Many people buy iPhones from online marketplaces, only to discover later that the device is still tied to the original carrier.

There are many ways to handle this situation, see this guide explore your options: How to Deal with a SIM-Locked iPhone You Purchased.

Case 3. Switch to a Different Mobile Plan

The carrier that originally sold the iPhone may not have strong service in your area, yet the carrier lock prevents you from moving to a better option. Or, you simply want to switch to a service provider with better plans for data and calls.

For a detailed walkthrough on how to deal with this case, read: How to Sim Unlock iPhone for a Better Plan.

How to Carrier Unlock Your iPhone for Free

There are 2 common ways to unlock your iPhone from carrier, which is contact your carrier(free) or using a carrier unlocker(paid). If you want to learn how to contact your specific carrier to remove the SIM lock, check these dedicated guides:

If you hope to unlock your iPhone without carrier, software-solutions like Passixer iPhone Unlocker is worth trying and here is why.

• Unlock iPhone carrier fast within one hour, generally about 30 minutes.
• Work on removing SIM restrictions from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, EE, etc.
• Remove SIM lock from iPhone only with a computer without IMEI or carrier.

How to Unlock iPhone iCloud Activation Lock

iCloud Activation Lock bothers most of second-hand iPhone buyers. If you are one of them, this part can help you out. Additionally, this section could be a lifesaver if you are a new Apple user and meet Locked to Owner screen the first time.

How Does iCloud Activation Lock Work?

Activation Lock is a theft-prevention system and works hand-in-hand with the Find My feature.

The moment you turn on Find My iPhone feature, the signed Apple ID becomes permanently linked to that device. And from then, the iPhone cannot be  re-setup or activated after reset without the original Apple ID and password.

So, most of the time it runs silently in the background and only appears when:

• You try to factory reset the iPhone with enabled Find My in Recovery Mode through iTunes or Finder.
• The iPhone with Find My on is erased remotely using iCloud.

How to Remove Activation Lock on iPhone with Apple ID

When you know the Apple ID or you can reach out to the previous owner (for used devices), removing the iCloud lock becomes straightforward. Let’s look at both ways one by one.

Way 1. Unlock iCloud Lock Directly on Phone Screen

Step 1. On the Activation Lock screen, type the full Apple ID email and the correct password linked to the iPhone. Then, tap Next at the top-right.

Step 2. Stay connected to the internet. The device verifies the details and moves forward.

Step 3. You can continue with the setup.

Way 2. Unlock iCloud Lock Remotely

This way is generally be applied when you can contact the previous owner to help unlocking iCloud lock or you want to erase your lost iPhone. 

Step 1. Visit iCloud.com on any browser. Sign in with the Apple ID that’s linked to the locked iPhone.

Step 2. Open Find My, choose All Devices and select the iPhone in question. Make sure it shows a green dot (online).

Step 3. Click Erase This iPhone and confirm the erase.

Step 4. After the erase command is issued, click Remove This Device or Remove from Account option.

To prevent iCloud Activation Lock in the future, you can follow this quick guide on disabling Find My: How to Turn off Find My iPhone on iCloud.

How to Bypass iCloud Lock on iPhone Without Apple ID

Now we come to the tough scenario: you don’t have the Apple ID or the password needed to unlock the iCloud-locked iPhone. The only option left is to bypass the lock. And that’s what we’ll explain in this section.

When to Follow This Part

These are the most common situations where bypassing becomes necessary:

Your Apple ID is disabled and you can’t recover it

An Apple ID can get disabled for many reasons. One common case is when it hasn’t been used in a long time. In this scenario, first you can still attempt account recovery to restore the Apple ID. To learn how, read Unlock Apple ID With or Without Password.

You can’t reset the forgotten Apple ID password

Resetting an Apple ID password requires a trusted phone number or a linked Apple device. Sometimes you no longer have access to either, which blocks you from the verification step and you cannot change the password. Finally, you can’t unlock Activation Lock with Apple ID. 

You bought a second-hand iCloud-locked iPhone

This is another common scenario. You purchase a used iPhone and you hit the Activation Lock screen during the setup. Ideally, you should return the device or ask the original owner to unlock it properly. If neither is possible, then bypassing the iCloud lock is the way forward.

Bypass Used iCloud-Locked on iPhone Without Previous Owner

The fastest way to remove Activation Lock from iPhone when the previous owner is unavailable is by using Passixer iPhone Unlocker.

Passixer has a specific feature for bypassing iCloud Activation Lock. It is designed for situations where you don’t have the Apple ID or password. So, whether you want to bypass Activation Lock on iPhone without previous owner or disabled Apple ID, Passixer comes to help, preventing an iPhone from turning into a brick.

Steps to Use Passixer to Bypass iCloud Activation Lock

Unlock Your Own iCloud-Locked iPhone Without Computer or Jailbreak

When the iPhone is tied to your own iCloud account. Things become easy and you can try these official ways to open your iCloud-lock iPhone.

Way 1. Use Screen Passcode

Activation Lock page on iOS 11 or newer versions includes an option to unlock the device using the passcode you previously set on the iPhone. This acts as a verification in place of the Apple ID.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1. Tap Unlock with Passcode option on the Activation Lock screen.

Step 2. A pop-up will appear. Choose Use Device Passcode.

Step 3. Enter the same screen passcode you had used before.

Step 4. Once confirmed, the device will proceed bypass Activation Lock and let you back in.

Way 2. Submit an Activation Lock Removal Request

Head over to Apple’s official support page and submit an unlock request.

Apple will ask you to show valid proof of purchase, such as the original receipt with the device’s IMEI number or serial number. If it’s your own iPhone or iPad and you can provide these details, Apple will remove the lock for you.

Keep in mind, this method will not work if the device was purchased second-hand, even with paperwork. Apple also won’t unlock devices managed by schools or businesses.

To find more ways to bypass iPhone locked to the owner with or without computer, refer to this guide: How to Bypass iPhone/iPad Locked to Owner.

FAQs

Conclusion

So no matter the scenario — forgetting screen passcode, being stuck on iPhone Locked to Owner screen or dealing with a SIM lock, this guide has shown you all the detailed ways to handle them. Apple’s own methods work well when you have the required credentials and they are simple enough to follow. When you don’t have those details, the best alternative is to use Passixer iPhone Unlocker.

Passixer iPhone Unlocker is built to handle all types of iOS with high efficiency and at an affordable price.