Unlock locked iPhone XS Max by restoring it to default settings

Ian Lv13

Unlock iPhone XS Max 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 Max 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 Max 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 Max, 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 Max.

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 Max 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 Max without using a passcode;

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

  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 Max will be restored to default settings.

How to use Face ID on iPhone XS Max to make purchases in App Store, Book Store, and iTunes Store

  • Step1: Check if Face ID is enabled for purchases in these stores by going to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and ensuring that iTunes and App Store are toggled On.

  • Step2: On any of these stores, when you tap on the option to buy some content, a payment confirmation popup will be displayed along with instructions to authenticate yourself using Face ID.

The instructions are simple: press the side button twice to authenticate yourself using your Face ID and make the purchase.
When done, a satisfying ting and a checkmark will confirm the action.

What is Face ID?

Face ID is a facial recognition system designed and developed by Apple Inc. for the iPhone and iPad Pro. The system allows biometric authentication for unlocking a device, making payments, and accessing sensitive data, as well as providing detailed facial mapping for augmented reality applications.

What is Face ID?

If the new iPhone 15/14/13 is your first-ever iPhone, or if you have neither upgraded your iPhone from the 6/7/8 series nor have kept abreast with the happenings in the Apple world, you might wonder what this newfangled thing called Face ID is.

Face ID is an authentication system that came with iPhone X for the first time, and then the iPhone 13, the iPhone 14, and now the iPhone 15. Like Touch ID that uses your fingerprints, Face ID uses your face metrics to authenticate you for everything, the way Touch ID does.

Face ID is not a new and advanced version of Touch ID, but a completely different authentication system that utilizes a different component what Apple calls a TrueDepth camera to scan your face metrics. Face ID is not available on phones with Touch ID (iPhone SE 2022 today) and Touch ID is not available on iPhones that come with Face ID as their authentication mechanism.

Face ID is not just for unlocking your iPhone, but it is also used for authenticating you for Apple Pay, App Store purchases, and other third-party apps that support Face ID. It is also used for autofilling passwords and usernames in Safari and other apps.

Unlock Disabled iPhone XS Max Using iCloud Website

unlock your disabled iPhone XS Max 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 Max, you can use Find My on the iCloud website from any other computer you may have to unlock your disabled iPhone XS Max.

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

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

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.

Checking If Your Apple ID Is Locked

Checking If Your Apple ID Is Locked

A locked Apple ID is rather unmistakable. Your iPhone XS Max would keep telling you that your Apple ID is locked for your security. Your Apple ID could be locked or disabled altogether if someone has tried to gain access to your account (and, obviously, failed). Apple would disable access to the Apple ID unless you are able to prove rightful ownership and reset the password successfully.

Is It Possible to Unlock iPhone XS Max without a Passcode?

Unlocking an iPhone XS Max 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 Max

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 Max 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 Max 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 Max 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 Max:

Unlock it with iTunes

  • Step 1: Connect your iPhone XS Max 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 Max 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 Max:

Use Recovery Mode

  • Step 1: Connect your iPhone XS Max 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 Max 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 Max without a passcode. Here’s how you can use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock to unlock your iPhone XS Max:

  • 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 Max 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 Max.

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 Max.

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

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

Bypassing Activation Lock with a Professional Tool

For iPhone 5S to iPhone XS Max users who prefer an easier way to remove Activation Lock, Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) is a suitable option.

Dr.Fone is a set of modules that cater to a myriad of requirements that phone users can have from time to time, and one of them is the need to be able to disable the Activation Lock for Apple devices when the need arises. A need never arises in our wildest dreams, until it does, at the most inopportune time. It has, hasn’t it?

Here is how to use Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) to quickly circumvent Activation Lock and get on with setting up your iPhone XS Max. Who needs to wait to talk with the previous owner or go through all other time-consuming methods when you have Dr.Fone?

  • Step 1: Get Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) .
  • Step 2: From the list of modules on display, select Screen Unlock.
  • Step 3: Select iCloud Activation Lock Removal.

Select iCloud Activation Lock Removal

  • Step 4: Then select Start to initiate unlocking the iOS device’s Activation Lock.

Start to initiate unlocking the iOS device's Activation Lock

  • Step 5: Follow the instructions to continue to jailbreak the iPhone.

Follow the instructions to continue to jailbreak the iPhone

  • Step 6: After the jailbreak, continue to agree to the terms of use and note the device details displayed are correct.

  • Step 7: As the final step, click Start Unlock.

Start Unlock

After a while, Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) will notify you of a successful bypass. You can now restart the device and use it. This option is restrictive in nature as you will be unable to use the iPhone to make calls or access cellular services including iCloud. This option is best for when you want to see/ recover some data from the device that you would otherwise lose.


  • Title: Unlock locked iPhone XS Max by restoring it to default settings
  • Author: Ian
  • Created at : 2024-02-28 14:15:52
  • Updated at : 2024-05-21 18:21:01
  • Link: https://techidaily.com/unlock-locked-iphone-xs-max-by-restoring-it-to-default-settings-by-drfone-ios-unlock-ios-unlock/
  • License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.