Unlock locked iPhone XS by restoring

Ian Lv13

Unlock iPhone XS without Passcode or Face ID

A problem commonly faced by all iPhone users is that they forget the password, and then they are stuck because they cannot use their phone anymore. This might seem impossible because iPhone users cannot use the phone without a passcode, but let us show you a magical application that makes this impossible.

Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock, the well-known application among most iPhone users, can resolve the problem quickly. This is a very secure platform for iPhone users because it promises to safeguard user’s personal information. The application is easy to use, that even a new person can use it without facing any trouble. Let us highlight its features.

  • It runs on all major iOS versions.
  • It can unlock the phone. It doesn’t matter if it’s second-hand or if you forgot the password.
  • Easy to handle and use, no technical skills are required.
  • It can even unlock a disabled phone without using its passcode.

This might be possible that not all iPhone users know about Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock, so, for such users, let us take you through the steps that are required to unlock iPhone XS using Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock without a passcode.

  • Step 1: Download and Install the Application

First of all, the user is supposed to download Dr.Fone – Screen Unlock from its official website and install it on your Windows or Mac system. Once it is installed, the application is all set and ready to use; launch it in the time of need and unlock your iPhone XS without a passcode.

After the application is launched, the Welcome Screen will appear with different options. The user is requested to select the option of ‘Screen Unlock.’

Screen Unlock

  • Step 2: Connect Phone with System

In the second step, the user should connect their phone to the system and let Dr.Fone ‘s application automatically detect it. Whenever you are ready to initiate the process, click on the button ‘Unlock iOS Screen.’

Connect Phone

  • Step 3: DFU Mode Activation

Once the application has detected your iPhone XS, you now need to activate the DFU mode. Step by step illustration on how to activate DFU mode is shared on-screen.

DFU Mode

  • Step 4: Download Firmware Update

A new window will appear now on which the application will ask for some information regarding your iOS device. Provide the application with asked information and click on the ‘Download’ button to get the firmware update for your iPhone XS.

Download Firmware

The user is requested to wait for some time, as the firmware update is being downloaded for your phone. Once that is done, now click on the ‘Unlock Now’ button to complete the process.

Unlock Now

  • Step 5: Confirmation Code

The application will now ask for the confirmation code. Just provide the on-screen confirmation code and let the process complete itself. As soon as that is done, the application will notify you through the interface. The process can also be repeated by clicking on the ‘Try Again’ button.

Confirmation Code

Unlock Locked iPhone XS by Restoring it to Default Settings – iTunes

iPhone users make sure that they connect and sync their devices with iTunes because their data is safe. iPhone users live without the fear of losing their data because it is backed up. Taking more advantage of this, iPhone users can restore their phone to default settings and can even unlock their iPhone without using a passcode.

Let us show you how to unlock iPhone XS without using a passcode;

  1. Start the process by turning off your iPhone XS.

  2. After that, plug in your phone to the computer and open iTunes.

  3. Once the phone is connected with iTunes, click on ‘Summary’ that will appear on the screen’s left side.
    Screen Unlock

  4. After the summary screen is opened, you will see the option of ‘Restore iPhone’; click on that option.
    Screen Unlock

  5. This option will bring you to a new window that will be asking for your confirmation on the decision to restore your device.

  6. As soon as that is done and iTunes has finished the process, your iPhone XS will be restored to default settings.

Reasons for Locked Apple ID

There can be a few reasons why your Apple ID is locked. You forgot the password and now it is locked since you entered the wrong password too many times. A scarier prospect, albeit a real one, is that some malicious actor attempted to login into your Apple ID account but failed. Had they succeeded, you would have gotten a message that ‘your Apple ID is being used on another device’ now.

Apple does a lot to ensure that your Apple ID remains safe. You trust Apple with a lot of your data, including financial data by way of your credit cards associated with Apple ID to make purchases on the App Store and iTunes Store. Therefore, some of the time, Apple preempts issues by proactively locking up your Apple ID or even disabling it. It goes without saying that sometimes it is something so simple as a software error that is believed to have locked up Apple IDs for many users around the world a while ago. It is also entirely possible that it was some malicious actor probing the servers for accounts.

All of these will result in a locked Apple ID that users will have to reset their password to in order to gain access back.

Is It Possible to Unlock iPhone XS without a Passcode?

Unlocking an iPhone XS without a passcode is possible, but it’s not as simple as entering a code. Besides, there are different methods that you can follow to unlock your iPhone XS

And we are going to teach all those methods with some simple steps. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

Use Find My iPhone

Once you have activated the Find My iPhone function, then you can try it to unlock your iPhone XS without a passcode. This is an easy and effective method to complete this task. Here’s how you can do it:

Use Find My iPhone

  • Step 1: Go to icloud.com from any web browser on your computer or another iOS device.
  • Step 2: Enter your Apple ID and password to log into your iCloud account.
  • Step 3: Click on the ‘Find My iPhone’ option.
  • Step 4: Select the ‘All Devices’ option at the top of the screen and select your iPhone XS from the list of devices.
  • Step 5: Click the ‘Erase’ option to confirm your action.
  • Step 6: Once your device has been erased, you can set it up again and use it without a passcode.

Unlock it with iTunes

Another way to unlock your iPhone XS without a passcode is by using iTunes. For this method to work, you must have synced your device with iTunes at least once. If you haven’t done that, this method won’t work. Here’s how you can use iTunes to unlock your iPhone XS:

Unlock it with iTunes

  • Step 1: Connect your iPhone XS to the computer you previously used to sync your device with iTunes.
  • Step 2: Open the iTunes application on your computer and wait for it to recognize your device.
  • Step 3: Once recognized, your iPhone XS will appear in the iTunes window. Click on the ‘Summary’ option present in the left sidebar.
  • Step 4: Now, click on the ‘Restore iPhone’ button in the right sidebar.
  • Step 5: Confirm your action and wait for the process to be completed. Once done, you can set up your device as new and use it without a passcode.

Use Recovery Mode

If you have never tried to sync your device with iTunes or used the Find My iPhone feature, you can use recovery mode to unlock your device. This more complex method will erase all the data on your device. So, ensure that you have backed up your data before proceeding with this method. Here’s how you can use recovery mode to unlock your iPhone XS:

Use Recovery Mode

  • Step 1: Connect your iPhone XS to the computer and launch the iTunes application.
  • Step 2: Press and hold down the ‘Volume’ and ‘Power’ buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
  • Step 3: As soon as you see the Connect to iTunes screen, release the buttons.
  • Step 4: On your computer, you will now see a message that iTunes detected an iPhone in recovery mode. Click on the ‘OK’ button.
  • Step 5: Now, click on the ‘Restore iPhone’ button in the Summary tab.
  • Step 6: Confirm your action and wait for the process to be completed. Once done, you can set up your device as new and use it without a passcode.

Use a Third-Party Tool

If you are unable to unlock your iPhone XS using the above methods, you can use a third-party tool like Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock . This tool is designed to help you unlock your iPhone XS without a passcode. Here’s how you can use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock to unlock your iPhone XS:

  • Step 1: Start Dr.Fone on your computer. Then, launch the program and select Screen Unlock.

screen unlock

  • Step 2: Create the connection from your iPhone XS to the computer with a lightning cable.

create connection

  • Step 3: Follow the image on the screen to make your device enter in DFU mode or Recovery mode.

  • Step 4: Once your device gets into DFU mode or Recovery mode, Dr.Fone will ask you to choose the right firmware for your iPhone XS.

choose firmware

  • Step 5: Upon selecting the right firmware, Dr.Fone will start downloading the firmware for your device. Once it’s finished, click “Unlock Now” to remove the Passcode.

unlock now

You only need to wait for some time as the process may take several minutes. So be patient and don’t interrupt the process; otherwise, it may permanently damage your iPhone XS.

Once the process is completed, your iPhone XS will be unlocked, and you can choose a new passcode.

This is the easiest and most effective way to reset your iPhone XS passcode. So, if you’re looking for a hassle-free solution, this is the one you should choose.

How to Remove Face ID on iPhone XS

For all the hardware and software that make for a great experience for nearly all users around the world, Face ID can have its fair share of issues. Sometimes, your face might not get recognized, sometimes it might not work altogether.

Lately, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen how Face ID struggles to work for us, and why? Because it cannot scan our faces with masks! So, it makes sense to remove Face ID from our iPhones and rely solely on passcodes. Alternatively, you want to reset your Face ID on your iPhone XS and set it again if you have put on some ‘COVID weight’ owing to working from home.

Most of the time, the best and the simplest thing you can do to resolve your hardware and software issues is to restart the device in question. To restart your iPhone XS, long-press the Side Button until the power slider appears and drag it to shut the device off. Then, use the Side Button to start the phone again.

Sometimes, the issues have a way of persisting, and a restart does not resolve them. the TrueDepth system might have developed a fault and Face ID might stop working. Or you got the dreaded “problem detected with TrueDepth camera” message on your iPhone XS. In that case, you would like to know how to reset and remove Face ID on your iPhone XS to see if that helps, before you are required to go to an Apple Store for service.

  • Step 1: Go to Settings > Face ID and Passcode.

  • Step 2: Scroll and tap the option "Reset Face ID" to remove Face ID on your iPhone iPhone XS.

How to use Face ID on iPhone XS to pay with Apple Pay

  • Step1: If Apple Pay is supported by banking institutions in your country, you can set it up by adding a supported bank‘s credit card, debit card, or prepaid card to the Wallet app on your iPhone XS.

  • Step2: When a card is added and ready to use, check that Apple Pay is enabled under Settings > Face ID and Passcode.

  • Step3: For App Store/ Book Store/ iTunes Store purchases, it works as always, you double-press the Side Button to authenticate and use your default card.

  • Step4: Look at your iPhone XS to authenticate yourself using your Face ID and make the purchase.

  • Step5: When paying at retail outlets, hold your iPhone XS (top being close to the reader) and wait for the checkmark and Done message.

  • Step6: To pay using Apple Pay on websites, choose Apple Pay as the payment method, double press the Side Button, look at your iPhone XS, and wait for the Done message and checkmark to finish the process.

Difference Between Activation Lock and Locked Apple ID

Apple being Apple, does a lot to make sure that users get the smoothest experience possible when interacting with their Apple products, both hardware, and software. Yet, sometimes, the messaging gets confusing, and people are not sure what is what. One such thing is the difference between iCloud Activation Lock and Apple ID Lock. While people are more likely to encounter Activation Lock and less likely to encounter Apple ID Lock, they are often confused when they encounter Apple ID Lock and struggle to figure out what that means and how to resolve the issue.

Activation Lock is when your supported Apple device is locked for a number of reasons. The most common reason is a stolen device that was locked by its owner, however, there are other perfectly valid reasons such as an outgoing employee forgetting to sign out and erase their Apple device before submitting it back. The IT department would not be able to reset that device without turning off Find My Phone and Activation Lock on the device.

A locked Apple ID usually happens when the user has forgotten their password to their Apple ID account and attempts to figure out the password have been unsuccessful. Sometimes, Apple ID gets locked automatically under some conditions, and that requires users to reset their password to gain access. A locked Apple ID does not mean that your device is locked for your use. You can keep using it so long as you do not try to use another Apple ID with it since to do that you would have to sign out of your current Apple ID (which is locked) and you won’t be able to do that. On the other hand, Activation Lock renders the entire device unusable till the lock is cleared.

Locked Apple ID

In short, Apple ID Lock is about a user’s account with Apple, akin to how Google Account works on Android devices. Apple ID Lock locks a user’s account with Apple while retaining complete usage of the device whereas Activation Lock locks the device and prevents anyone from using it until the correct credentials are entered. This is about verifying the ownership of the device and works to deter theft of Apple devices.

Unlock Disabled iPhone XS Using iCloud Website

unlock your disabled iPhone XS is using the iCloud website to gain access back. This is a fairly easy way and doesn’t require going through complex hoops.

Find My is available both online via the iCloud website and on iOS devices and on Macs. In case the only Apple product you own is the currently disabled iPhone XS, you can use Find My on the iCloud website from any other computer you may have to unlock your disabled iPhone XS.

  • Step 1: Visit https://icloud.com and log in into the same iCloud account/ Apple ID as the disabled iPhone XS.

  • Step 2: Go to Find My, select your iPhone XS.

Select your iphone

  • Step 3: Click Erase iPhone and confirm.

This will start the wipe process on your iPhone remotely and your iPhone will be reset to factory settings. You can now proceed to setup your iPhone once again.


  • Title: Unlock locked iPhone XS by restoring
  • Author: Ian
  • Created at : 2024-02-28 18:53:51
  • Updated at : 2024-05-21 18:21:01
  • Link: https://techidaily.com/unlock-locked-iphone-xs-by-restoring-by-drfone-ios-unlock-ios-unlock/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.