Security Lockout on iPhone

That can happen if there are too many passcode attempts. It will actually delay when the next passcode attempt can be made, increasing the interval after a few times. Eventually it will say security lockout, and no longer give an option to enter a passcode. The only way it's ever coming back again is if it gets erased and the Apple ID credentials are entered.

I've heard of a few of these (especially iPhone Unavailable) especially with malfunctioning touchscreens where it's just randomly entering the passcode without human input. If you don't have the option to enter the passcode after waiting, it's probably not coming back and the best you can hope for is to erase and recover from a backup.

There is no way to do so. I’m sorry, but anything on the device that wasn’t backed up or synced to the cloud is gone.

atiya100 wrote:

What is security lockout and why this happened

Too many attempts at a passcode. I believe the 10th unsuccessful attempt will permanently lock it out where the only way to recover is to perform a factory reset with activation lock (requires access to the Apple ID used to set up). However, it's not as if one can do it quickly. After a few attempts it won't allow a passcode entry for maybe 15 minutes. The last few might require a 1 hour waiting period.

Acm4488 wrote:

• Ugh! Happened to me a couple of weeks ago! Really only 2 reasonable choices

click on “emergency erase” at the bottom and then reinstall everything from your cloud backup which you hopefully have. This is what I ended up doing and got most everything back. Took a long time tho

• pay someone (lots of options if you google “security lockout “. Of course you have to use a different device to google! I wasn’t comfortable with or willing to do that.

• I find this security lockout incredibly annoying too. It happened cuz the phone was in a pocket. There should be some other way for the legitimate user to get back in other than the above 2.

• good luck!

If there was a way for a legitimate user to get back in then an illegitimate user could use it to get in also. That’s why there is no option to do so.

If you are going to carry the phone in your pocket turn off Raise to Wake and keep it with the screen facing away from your body.

erynw45 wrote:

Plus, if i get it fixed, how will i know how to get out of security lockout without losing all my data and erasing my iPhone.

Losing all your data is virtually certain. That’s why backups must precede catastrophes.

I have considered getting it repaired but i don’t know where to go.

iPhone Repair - Official Apple Support

The only way to do that would be to add a “back door” to security, something that the FBI has been demanding that Apple do for many years. And other law enforcement agencies and repressive governments. As well as hackers who would quickly figure out how to take advantage of the “feature” that you want. Doing that would be opening Pandora’s box, and essentially kill any ability to have your data private.

This answer is not correct. You don't have to erase anything "If you don't have the option to enter the passcode after waiting, it's probably not coming back and the best you can hope for is to erase and recover from a backup." You can push the top volume, bottom volume, and the right side button and the Apple will come up and reset. Once you enter your passcode you need to wait 1 hour and enter your passcode you're fine.

Ugh! Happened to me a couple of weeks ago! Really only 2 reasonable choices

• click on “emergency erase” at the bottom and then reinstall everything from your cloud backup which you hopefully have. This is what I ended up doing and got most everything back. Took a long time tho
• pay someone (lots of options if you google “security lockout “. Of course you have to use a different device to google! I wasn’t comfortable with or willing to do that.
• I find this security lockout incredibly annoying too. It happened cuz the phone was in a pocket. There should be some other way for the legitimate user to get back in other than the above 2.
• good luck!

Replace your screen at an Apple Store or Authorized Apple Service Center.

aparnadas wrote:

My iPhone says "Security Lockout"

This is somewhat unusual. What did you do to cause this?

If it’s caused by your Apple ID being locked or disabled, read and follow the article linked above. Otherwise, tell us the reason for the message.

I woke up this morning to see the Security lockout my iphone, even without attempting any wrong passwords, if my iPhone had disabled for 5 minutes to 1 hour as usual I don't think this should've occurred, I think this is a malfunction

i cracked my phone about 2 months ago, but haven’t been able to get it fixed. Yesterday the ink or whatever it was started showing up from the top by my camera and eventually everything started glitching and delaying. i tried putting my passcode in maybe once or twice but then it started automatically clicking random button and eventually it just said security lockout and i don’t know what to do now.

erynw45 wrote:

i cracked my phone about 2 months ago, but haven’t been able to get it fixed. Yesterday the ink or whatever it was started showing up from the top by my camera and eventually everything started glitching and delaying. i tried putting my passcode in maybe once or twice but then it started automatically clicking random button and eventually it just said security lockout and i don’t know what to do now.

Have you considered getting it repaired?

I actually think this behavior sucks. If you can enter your appleid and password to erase your phone you should get at least one more chance to enter your pin. This happened to my husband as he left his phone in his pocket while playing pickleball. Evidently in the dark of his pocket it prompted for the unlock PIN number…. Enough times to get the final deadly security lockout. Unfortunately all his Disney pictures we just took got deleted because we had to erase his phone! Apple needs to rethink the final option.

i have the same problem..should i replace my screen at a local repair shop?