Can I unlock an iPhone I found?

Yes, if you've found an iPhone and it's locked, you can attempt to unlock it. However, it's crucial to follow legal and ethical guidelines. Try contacting the owner if possible. If not, you may consider taking the device to the nearest authorized Apple service provider or using reputable unlocking services.

What happens if a lost iPhone is found after replacement?

If a lost iPhone is found after being replaced, the original owner should contact their carrier and Apple immediately to inform them about the situation. The carrier might deactivate the replacement device, and the original iPhone could potentially be returned to its rightful owner.

Is it possible to remove the activation lock without the previous owner?

Removing the activation lock without the previous owner's assistance can be challenging and is generally not recommended due to security reasons. However, in certain cases, such as purchasing a used iPhone with an activation lock, you can try contacting the previous owner to remove the lock, contact Apple Support, or use third-party apps.

Can I unlock a lost iPhone with Find My iPhone?

Yes, if you have access to the Find My iPhone feature and the lost iPhone is linked to your Apple ID, you can remotely lock or erase the device. However, unlocking the iPhone to access its data may require additional steps, such as using recovery mode or contacting Apple Support.

What should I do if I find a lost iPhone?

If you find a lost iPhone, try to locate the owner by checking for contact information or using Siri to call Home or Mom. If unsuccessful, turn the device into local authorities, Apple, or the carrier.

How to Unlock an iPhone in Lost Mode Without Passcode

Penny Warren Published on June 26, 2025Unlock iOS4-min reading

"My iPhone 13 Pro was lost and found today; how can I unlock my iPhone in Lost Mode?" As a security feature, Lost Mode is used to find and protect a lost or stolen iPhone. When you activate Lost Mode, it locks your device, displays a custom message to anyone who sees it, and tracks your device location. This guide demonstrates four proven methods to access a lost iOS device.

In this article:

Part 1: Unlock Any Lost iPhone Without an Apple ID
Part 2: Unlock a Lost iPhone with Your Passcode
Part 3: Unlock a Lost iPhone in Recovery Mode
Part 4: Unlock a Lost iPhone with Find My

Part 1: Unlock Any Lost iPhone Without an Apple ID

If you have activated Lost Mode for your iPhone and cannot find the option to stop it, you will need a powerful tool to regain access to your device. iPassGo, for example, is able to remove the screen lock from an iPhone in any situation.

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How to Unlock Found Lost iPhone Without Passcode

Step 1

Connect to your iPhone
Launch the best iPhone unlocking software once you install it on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Choose the Wipe Passcode mode. Hook up your iPhone to your PC with a Lightning cable. It will be recognized automatically.

Step 2

Check device information
Click the Start button to scan your device and load the device information. Check them, and if any item is wrong, correct it. Then, click the Start button to download the necessary firmware.

Step 3

Unlock your iPhone
Once the firmware is ready, click the Unlock button to proceed. Read the notification carefully and move on. Next, enter 0000 to confirm the unlocking process.

Part 2: Unlock a Lost iPhone with Your Passcode

A straightforward way to unlock a lost iPhone is using the passcode. The process won’t delete existing data on your device. Moreover, it turns off the Lost Mode on your device at the same time.

Step 1

Keep pressing one of the Volume buttons and the Side button to trigger the power-off screen.

Step 2

Tap the Cancel button.

Step 3

Enter your passcode to unlock it.

Note: If you turned on stolen device protection on your iPhone, use Face ID or Touch ID to unlock it.

Part 3: Unlock a Lost iPhone in Recovery Mode

Once you put an iPhone in Lost Mode, you are locked out of the device. Plus, common ways cannot unlock the iPhone in Lost Mode even if you have the passcode. In such a case, you can try the Recovery Mode. Remember that this method will remove all data on your device.

Step 1

Plug your iPhone into a computer with a compatible cable.

Step 2

Run iTunes on Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier.

On macOS Catalina or later, run Finder instead.

Step 3

Put your iPhone in Recovery Mode:

For an iPhone 8 or later, press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Long-press the Side button to enter Recovery Mode.

For an iPhone 7/7 Plus, hold the Volume Down + Side buttons together until your device enters Recovery Mode.

For an iPhone 6s or earlier, hold the Home + Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously until the Recovery Mode screen shows up.

Step 4

When iTunes or Finder detects your iPhone in Recovery Mode, click the Restore button on the popup dialog.

Step 5

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. When your iPhone restarts, set it up as a new device or restore a backup.

Part 4: Unlock a Lost iPhone with Find My

When you find your lost iPhone, you can unlock it without the passcode after turning off Lost Mode on iCloud Find My. This method requires your Apple ID and password. If you have set up 2FA, the verification code is needed, too.

Step 1

Go to www.icloud.com/find in a web browser, and sign in to your Apple ID and password.

Step 2

Click and expand the All Devices menu, and choose your device.

Step 3

Then, you will see your iPhone location on the map.

Step 4

Click Lost Mode, hit Stop Lost Mode, and click Stop Lost Mode again.

Step 5

Next, click the Erase This Device button to unlock your iPhone.

Conclusion

Now, you should understand how to unlock a lost iPhone with or without the passcode. You can turn off Lost Mode and unlock the iPhone with your passcode directly. Otherwise, you have to unlock your device in Recovery Mode or using Find My. iPassGo is the ultimate method to regain access to a lost iPhone. If you have other questions about this topic, please feel free to write them down below.

Penny Warren

Penny Warren, a senior editor from imyPass, is specialized in MS Office software. You can find professional tutorials and solutions of MS Office software from her posts.