iTunes Unlock iPhone Guide: Restore Without Passcode

Samuel Spenser Published on July 24, 2025Unlock iOS3-min reading

When your iPhone shows "iPhone is deactivated, connect iTunes" due to entering the wrong passcode multiple times, it is undoubtedly anxious. But in fact, this does not mean that your equipment is completely scrapped. As long as you have a computer and iTunes installed, you have a chance to unlock and re-enable your device. Especially for users who don't have the Find My iPhone feature turned on, using iTunes is an official and efficient solution. This article will teach you how to unlock iPhone with iTunes step by step, whether you forgot the passcode, or the device was disabled due to a mistake, you can find a suitable solution.

Part 1. Thorough Guide to Unlock iPhone with iTunes

When your iPhone is disabled due to multiple mistyped passcodes, or the screen prompts "iPhone is deactivated, connect to iTunes", using iTunes Unlock is undoubtedly a safe and officially recognized solution. This method works whether you've forgotten your password or your device suddenly gets stuck. Here are the steps on how to unlock iPhone with iTunes in detail, which is applicable to most cases where Find My iPhone is not turned on.

Situation 1: You have backed up your iPhone on this computer before

Situation 2: You have never synced with iTunes/iTunes cannot recognize the device.

If iTunes cannot properly recognize your device, you need to enter iPhone recovery mode:

• iPhone 8 and later: Press and hold the side button;
• iPhone 7 series: Press and hold the volume down button;
• iPhone 6s and earlier models: Press and hold the Home button.

Whether you are actively looking for methods on how to unlock iPhone with iTunes, or you temporarily need to unlock an iPhone using iTunes to solve the screen lock issue, the above steps can help you quickly regain control of your device. If you are unable to enter recovery mode or iTunes keeps failing to recognize, don't worry; the next section will introduce you to more efficient alternatives.

Part 2. Unlock iPhone with iTunes Alternative

If you find that iTunes cannot recognize your iPhone, or recovery mode always fails, you should consider using professional tools as an alternative to iTunes. Such tools do not require you to remember your Apple ID password, nor do they involve complex operational steps. I recommend using imyPass iPassGo, which is an unlocking tool specifically designed for iOS devices that can easily handle situations where the device is locked or disabled without relying on iTunes.

Compared to traditional methods, using iPassGo is more stable and not affected by iTunes errors or system limitations. If you always forget your password and want to disable this feature, you can also use it to remove password from iPhone.

Part 3. Erase iPhone Screen Lock Without Computer

If you don't have a computer at hand and don't want to use iTunes or third-party software, there is actually another method to unlock your iPhone without a computer. As long as your device is running iOS 15.2 or higher, and you have previously enabled Find My iPhone, you can use the Forgot Passcode? option to directly clear the lock screen password on your phone.

This method is simple to execute, does not rely on a computer, and is especially suitable for users who suddenly forget their password while out.

Conclusion

iTunes unlock iPhone is the official recommended solution, but it is not suitable for all situations. If you want a quicker and more stable way to unlock your device, imyPass iPassGo is an ideal alternative.