Need to Backup Disabled Iphone 7, NOT synced, broken semi-functioned screen (which is why it disabled itself)

There isn't anything to do, despite your being desperate. Because the screen is not functioning, the device was disabled. It is a security step so that a damaged phone that could not get the passcode entered cannot be compromised. Once that happens, the only way to enter the device is to restore it, and that wipes all data, therefore protecting your data. Recovery mode in iTunes does the same thing. While at this point you might want a back door to get into your device again, you would not want this to be an option for people to steal your data, which is what it would end up being. You didn't like the information that Lawrence provided, but again fact, Apple provides a lot for backups, as well as providing a way to take care of photos with iCloud Photos, which puts your photos right into the cloud when taken.

If you are not going to use iCloud photos, then you will need to import photos to the computer for safe keeping on a regular basis, to minimize any data loss. There is no waiting for a different answer, there isn't going to be one.

Once the iPhone is disabled, the content is no longer accessible, no matter what means. Your only option is to restore the iPhone to be able to use it again, and that will wipe the content.

The default of disabling the device after 8 failed attempts is arbitrary. it also is what it is. Even if Apple changed that default to 10, or 12 or whatever, that will not change the fact your device is already disabled.

You can wait for an alternative outcome answer until the sun goes red giant and the earth dies its final death. But that still won’t yield you an alternate answer.

Once a device is disabled, the one, and only way to regain usable access is to erase the device. This is a very deliberate aspect of iOS design by Apple. It ensures that no one, no one at all, can ever gain access to anyones device’s data without knowing the screen lock passcode. Apple cannot access or recover it, the FBI cannot - nobody can.

Yes, it would really hurt, and it wouldn’t help in your case, because it would simply use up that 1 or 2 before it locked anyway. There is no way around the fact that if you don’t back up your phone, you lose.

Apple offers 2 ways to back up iPhones, including automatically on a daily basis. They also offer a way to sync most content to iTunes, and there are at least a dozen 3rd party ways to back up photos, many of them in real time as soon as they are taken. However, it is up to the user to take advantage of these features. You must back up before you need the backup. After is too late. While you didn’t pay for iCloud storage, it’s possible that the 5 GB free would be sufficient. And even if it wasn’t, less than $1 a month is a small price to pay if you have valuable content on your phone. While in this specific instance the loss is a result of damage, you would also be unprotected if your phone was lost, stolen, dropped down a sewer grating or thrown under a bus.

It may be devastating, but it is 100% of your own responsibility.

Apple can’t bail you out; any solution that would allow access to a disabled phone would essentially eliminate all security. The FBI had to pay a professional hacking company almost $1 million to get content from just one phone.

scullriver wrote:

Would another attempt at the passcode dramatically change the integrity of the current security and privacy measures?

Would it I wonder?

Absolutely, it would totally destroy the security of iOS if you could keep giving users another chance to enter a passcode. You would just keep asking for “another chance” over and over until you had tried all possible passcodes.

You want 1 or 2. Someone else wants 3 or 4. Where does it stop, especially when just being prudent about backups or syncing would obviate the need for any extras. Especially when Apple already gives you 10.