iPhone is disabled - Connect to iTunes

iPhone is disabled - Connect to iTunes

Sometimes if your iPhone has a fault, or you've guessed the password wrong a few times, you'll find your iPhone Disabled for a number of minutes (or sometimes indefinitely).

 

If you've forgotten your passcode or your device is disabled - follow these steps to get back in to your iPhone.

Unless you've made a backup, it's not possible to recover any information from the device. You will need to restore your device to get back in.

Restore through iTunes

If you've previously connected your device to iTunes, you can plug it back into that computer and click on 'Restore iPhone'. If you haven't, or it's asking you to input your passcode before you can continue - you'll need to restore using recovery mode below.

Restore with Recovery Mode

If you've never synced with iTunes you'll need to use recovery mode to restore your iPhone and remove the passcode.

  1. Plug in your device to the computer and open iTunes
  2. While your device is connected, you'll need to force a restart

    iPhone X, iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus
    Quickly press and release volume up, quickly press and release volume down and then press and hold the side button (power button) until you see the recovery screen

    iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus
    Press and hold the volume down and side button (power button) until you see the recovery screen

    iPhone 6s or earlier, iPad or iPod Touch
    Press and hold the home button (front bottom) and the power button (side or top) until you see the recovery screen

  3. When you see the 'restore or update' option click on 'restore'

  4. Once it's finished you can setup your device as a new device, restore from iCloud backup or restore from iTunes backup.

    You will need to input your iCloud details on the phone to remove the built in activation lock. There is no way for us to remove this for you.

If you're having issues due to broken buttons or failed downloads

If you're having trouble getting it restored, pop it in to us at Phone Bar and we can usually help. There is normally a charge for this service.