How to unlock my granddaughter's iPhone?
She tried several different times, I traveled 2 and a half hours to Dallas, Texas Apple Store. Please help me ASAP. Erase everything and she can start over.
[Edited by Moderator]
iPhone 12, iOS 16
Question marked as
It depends upon what it says when it is lockedThere's multiple kinds of "locking" on devices. Click on the links below to find instructions on how to deal with your specific situation:
1) iCloud: Activation Lock - Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support - This is a security feature so only legitimate (e.g., not stolen) use of devices is possible. Read this support article about how to remove Activation Lock --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support - If an activation lock was put on a device, only the owner of the account that applied the lock can remove it. Get them to remove it or return the item for a refund. If you are the owner, see the part at the end about asking Apple to reset the device.
2) Device lock: See below*.
3) Carrier lock: Read this article about how to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier. --> How to unlock your iPhone for use with a different carrier - Apple Support Only some carriers offer the ability to unlock iPhone for use on any carrier. Follow the instructions in this article to unlock your iPhone.
*It appears you may have a disabled mobile device or forgotten device passcode. Refer to this support article for various methods that you can use to resolve this; which one you can use depends upon your equipment configuration. --> If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support
How to reset your device if you are running iOS 15.2 or later:
If you're using an eSIM, contact your carrier before trying these steps and ask for a QR code to set up your eSIM again.
1. From your device's Lock Screen, try to enter your passcode five times until the "[Device] Unavailable" screen appears and your device asks you to try again later.
2. When you're able to, continue to enter your passcode until the "Security Lockout" screen appears and you get the Erase [Device] option in the bottom corner of the screen. 3. Tap Erase [Device], then tap Erase [Device] again to confirm.
4. Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your Apple ID on your device.
5. Tap Erase [Device] to permanently delete all of your data and settings.
6. When your device restarts, follow the onscreen instructions to set up your device again, restore your data and settings from a backup, and set a new passcode.
If you can't follow the above steps (e.g., you are using an older iOS version), you can use a computer to reset your device --> If you forgot your iPhone passcode - Apple Support .
You can only reach the "Security Lockout" screen if you have an active cellular or Wi-Fi connection and previously enabled Find My ( Find My - Official Apple Support ) on your device. After you try to enter your password ten times, your device will either erase itself or show Security Lockout and the option to Erase [Device] without a timer, depending on how you previously set up your device.
Read the support article for full information. You can also watch the 5 min. 16 sec. video "How to restore your iPhone if you forgot your passcode" at https://www.youtube.com/watch/7s8-zLG9ySQ
Whichever method you use will result in erasing the iPhone. You can, however, restore it from a backup as described in this support article --> Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support
Here are resources if you are prompted for your username and password and have forgotten them:
If you forgot your Apple ID email address or phone number - Apple Support Note that typically this is an email address you use.
If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support
If you do not have a computer, use this link Find Locations to find an Apple service location, or ask a friend if you can use theirs.
