Just bought a refurbished phone, I half set it up now the passcode wont work. Please help

I understand that you are referring to the passcode that is used to get to the Home Screen of your iPhone. You will have to reset the passcode to your iPhone by following the instructions in this guide published by Apple 👉 Reset the Passcode of your iPhone (Without a Computer).  Note: All the data on your iPhone will be erased.

Hopefully, you have a backup created on 👉 iCloud and/or on a computer. If you do then, you can 👉 Restore your iPhone from the backup file once your passcode has been reset and the iPhone has been returned to factory settings by the procedure in the link above.

Axel F.

BBoo1984 Said:

"Just bought a refurbished phone, I half set it up now the passcode wont work. Please help: [...]During setting up it said I needed to update software and to enter the passcode. I entered the one I set up. However, that didn't work. I tried a few times again. Now I am completed locked out the phone.[...]"

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Being Locked Out...

Back Off of a Bit: Enter the passcode incorrectly too many times, and you'd likely be locked out for good. So, hold it right there, and refer to this link: If you Forgot the Passcode on your iPhone, or your iPhone is Disabled - Apple Support. It would be the one you've always entered. If you do not know it, then look for it in a location you may have stored it in.

Contact Apple Phone Support:

• Contact Us - Choose Locations
• Proceed from there as Necessary
• Why the Wait: Phone calls are taking a bit to go through at the moment, due do lots of calls. With the Coronavirus Pandemic, many are at home at the moment, with much time on their hands to contact Apple. So, just stay on the line, and you will get through :)

Screenshare with the Apple Rep:

I had this issue a few days ago. To easily show the Apple Rep what is going on here, request a prompt for a screensharing session with the Apple Rep. That will allow them to see this firsthand, and upfront. Show this user through screensharing your Mac. Show them any paperwork or hover over something, through screensharing your iPhone.

Learn More at My User Tips: 

• iPhone: Screenshare your iPhone with the Camera App Enabled to Easily Converse Over-the-Phone with Apple Support - User Tip
• Mac: Screensharing MacOS FaceTime to Easily Converse Over-the-Phone with Apple Support - User Tip

BBoo1984 Said:

"Just bought a refurbished phone, I half set it up now the passcode wont work. Please help: when I’m downloading the recovery through finder, after 15mins it stops. It says on the articles that the software still downloads, however mine just closes down? Do you know where the software for the iPhone goes?”

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Give Apple Support Call:

The iOS and apps don’t get removed. If you are asking about the recovery software, it’s probably doing its thing in the background (which is why to let it sit). So, I recommend leaving this alone, and giving Apple Support an call.

Screenshare with the Apple Rep:

My friend got locked out just a few days an go, and we had to hover the iSight Camera of my iPhone over his screen with speaker phone on. That is what got this easily fixed, aster the hour/log wait.

Learn More at My User Tips: 

• iPhone: Screenshare your iPhone with the Camera App Enabled to Easily Converse Over-the-Phone with Apple Support - User Tip
• Mac: Screensharing MacOS FaceTime to Easily Converse Over-the-Phone with Apple Support - User Tip