Fix iPhone Won’t Unlock with Correct Passcode - 5 Ways

Is your iPhone won’t unlock with correct passcode? Don't panic, this guide provides common reasons and steps to fix the issue, along with tips to prevent it from happening again.

Clara by Clara Updated September 6, 2024
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Correct iPhone Passcode Doesn't Work

I have not made any changes to the iPhone. One minute I was using the iPhone, and a few minutes later when I tried to open it, my iPhone won’t unlock with correct passcode. I am trying to find a solution that will help me open the iPhone.

- Question from Apple Community

Why Is My iPhone Not Unlocking with the Correct Password?

In order to protect our privacy, we usually set a password on our iPhone, such as a digital password, Touch ID, or Face ID. Recently, many iPhone users have reported that iPhone won't unlock with  the correct passcode. This is indeed a very annoying question. So why is this happening?

  1. ▶ Software update error: A software update error may cause your iPhone to not recognize the passcode and make it inaccessible.
  2. ▶ iOS glitch: You may encounter the iPhone passcode not working issue after a new iOS upgrade.
  3. ▶ Wrong operation: You accidentally entered the wrong screen password more than 10 times.
  4. ▶ Hardware failure: This is rare, but it may be that there is a problem with the screen that makes it unable to be unlocked.

iphone wont unlock with correct passcode

Don't worry. In this article, we will introduce some common reasons and solutions that can easily solve the problem that your iPhone cannot be unlocked with the correct password. Let's have a look together!

How to Fix iPhone Won’t Unlock with Correct Passcode

In this part, there are 5 solutions to fix correct passcode not working on iPhone. You can try them one by one, or pick the way suitable for your needs.

Way 1. Wait for a While

If you accidentally touch the screen and enter the wrong password more than 10 times, the iPhone will be temporarily locked and the message "iPhone is disabled connect to iPhone" will be displayed. You can wait for a while and try to re-enter the correct password. Unlike the previous incorrect inputs, this time you may need to wait for several minutes or even longer.

iphone is disabled connect to itunes

Way 2. Restart Your iPhone

The first solution to fix the iPhone passcode not working issue is to restart the phone. The steps of this method are simple. Restart your iPhone by holding down the side button and see if the screen passcode works. Sometimes, system or software update issues can be easily fixed by restarting the device.

restart iphone

Way 3. Enter Recovery Mode with iTunes

If the above two methods do not solve the problem, you need to use a more severe method to unlock the iPhone, such as using recovery mode to unlock it. Putting your iPhone into recovery mode will erase the old passcode and create a new one.

If you have synced your iPhone with iTunes, this way works for you. Below is the guide to fix iPhone wont unlock with correct passcode:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer > Open iTunes.

Step 2. To make your iPhone to recovery mode, you can refer to the following steps according to your iPhone model:

  • For iPhone 8 and later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button > Press and release the Volume Down button quickly > Then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode shows on the screen.
  • For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time > Holding them until you view the recovery mode screen.
  • For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons simultaneously > Keep holding them when you see the recovery mode screen.

iphone recovery mode

Step 3. After that, you will see the option to Restore or Update, choose Restore.

itunes recovery mode iphone

iTunes will download the software for your iPhone. If the download takes longer than 15 minutes, your device will exit recovery mode. You will need to re-enter recovery mode. Once the process is complete, you can set up your iPhone.

Way 4. Use iCloud to Unlock Your iPhone

Alternatively, you can also try to remove the original password using iCloud. This method requires you to enable the "Find My iPhone" feature on your iPhone and make sure it has an active network.

Erase iPhone removes all data and settings, including any lock screen password you may have set. Once complete, you can restore your data using a backup. Then, you can follow the steps below to unlock your iPhone:

Step 1. Visit to iCloud.com on the computer or another iPhone/iPad > Sign in with your Apple ID.

Step 2. After you sign in, select All Devices at the top of the browser > It will list all the devices under the same Apple ID.

Step 3. Choose the device you want to erase > Tap on Erase iPhone to erase your whole device, including the passcode.

erase iphone from icloud

Way 5. Contact Apple Support

If you can't fix the problem yourself using the methods above, the best solution is to contact Apple Support. Some hardware failures may prevent you from unlocking your phone. You can find the nearest Apple Authorized Service Center through the official website or call the customer service number for help.

Tips to Avoid the iPhone Unlock Issue in the Future

With the above content, you can solve the problem of iPhone not being able to unlock. Here are some suggestions to avoid similar situations in the future:

enlightened Update software regularly: Make sure your iPhone system and applications are up to date. This can effectively avoid the problem of not being able to unlock due to software problems.

enlightened Use Touch ID or Face ID: If your iPhone model supports Touch ID or Face ID, you can turn on these features in Settings. This allows you to use fingerprint or facial recognition to unlock your phone and prevent you from forgetting your password.

enlightened Set a complex password: Avoid using simple passwords, such as your birthday or "1234". Setting a complex password can improve the security of your phone and prevent you from forgetting your password.

Conclusion

If your iPhone won't unlock with correct passcode, don't panic, first calmly analyze the possible causes, and then try the solutions above. This article provides x ways to help you solve the problem independently. If the problem still persists, contact Apple Support.

At the same time, to avoid this problem in the future, regular software updates, using Touch ID or Face ID, and setting a complex password are all very effective ways. I hope this article can be of help to you.

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