Security lockout iPhone 11

Security lockout iphone11 occurred 6 months ago after failing to accept 6 digit passcode after an update. Has previously synced with Mac but no back up available. Still synced with Apple Watch. Refuse to reset as data is urgently needed. Often ‘pings’ as find my phone registers so phone is still alive. Purchased new Mac & new iPhone but desperately need data on locked iphone11. Have been discussing case wirh Apple since issue occurred. They offer no solution. Only sell me new products which I bought in the hope something would link back to iPhone 11. Not possible they say. This will take my life. I cannot work or function. I’ve tried everything. It’s my phone, I have receipt, original box, it’s my data I need. I’m not trying to access anyone else’s data. Please, can anyone help?

iPhone 11, iOS 16

Posted on Mar 9, 2024 7:47 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 9, 2024 8:02 PM

Refer to this support article for various methods that you can use to resolve this. --> If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support Which one you can use depends upon your equipment configuration. If you can use the iOS15.2+ method you may not need a computer.


How to reset your device if you are running iOS 15.2 or later:

Advance step: 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.


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. 


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, as described in this article --> If you forgot your iPhone passcode, use your Mac or PC to reset it - Apple Support .


Read the support article for full information. You can also watch the 5 min. 16 sec. Apple 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 have no alternative. You can, however, restore it from a backup as described in this support article --> Restore your device - Apple Support Some items will restore automatically once you make sure you are signed into iCloud (if you were using iCloud to sync these services).


Here are resources if you are prompted for your username and password and have forgotten them:

If you forgot your Apple ID - 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 the link Find Locations to find an Apple service location, or ask a friend if you can use theirs. This could be either a Mac, or a PC with iTunes. If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, read this support article --> If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 9, 2024 8:02 PM in response to Kiara2070

Refer to this support article for various methods that you can use to resolve this. --> If you see an iPhone or iPad unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support Which one you can use depends upon your equipment configuration. If you can use the iOS15.2+ method you may not need a computer.


How to reset your device if you are running iOS 15.2 or later:

Advance step: 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.


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. 


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, as described in this article --> If you forgot your iPhone passcode, use your Mac or PC to reset it - Apple Support .


Read the support article for full information. You can also watch the 5 min. 16 sec. Apple 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 have no alternative. You can, however, restore it from a backup as described in this support article --> Restore your device - Apple Support Some items will restore automatically once you make sure you are signed into iCloud (if you were using iCloud to sync these services).


Here are resources if you are prompted for your username and password and have forgotten them:

If you forgot your Apple ID - 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 the link Find Locations to find an Apple service location, or ask a friend if you can use theirs. This could be either a Mac, or a PC with iTunes. If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, read this support article --> If your computer doesn't recognize your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Mar 9, 2024 8:25 PM in response to Kiara2070

I'm not sure that there is a way for you to avoid erasing the phone.


Do you have any other way of getting the data that is on that phone? For instance,

  • Was any of the data synchronized through iCloud?
  • Was any of the data stored on iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive?
  • Were you using e-mail where the main copies of your e-mail stayed on the e-mail provider's servers (IMAP) – so erasing your phone would just mean setting up a connection to your existing e-mail account again … not losing the emails stored in it?
  • Were you backing up the phone to iCloud (manually, automatically?). Or backing up the phone to a Mac or a PC manually with the help of iTunes or the Finder? (Giving you a backup that could be restored to another phone.)


It sounds like you don't have a backup. On the other hand, given that you synced the phone with your Mac (using iCloud? iTunes/Finder? both?), is there a chance that any of the data you care about was part of that sync? (And that the Mac copy survives?)

Mar 9, 2024 8:46 PM in response to Limnos

Thank you so much for your response. I do have the latest versions, Mac and iPhone. I don’t need the iPhone 11, I just need the data therefore I am not resetting/erasing. Apple took 3 days to investigate & prove I wasn’t the ‘hacker’ & they confirmed my security was compromised. I lost everything on my phone with no back up. They remote accessed me & spent hours trying to resolve the problem. My 6 digit code was simply not accepted. I was not affected by alcohol or drugs. I have paid data recovery companies only to be told it’s not possible (yet). Up to iPhone 8 they can do. My phone carrier could not assist. I will re-read your information again. Much appreciated.

Mar 9, 2024 9:08 PM in response to Servant of Cats

I too am a server of cats! Quite appropriate! Thank you for your reply. This is where it all gets a bit confusing. Yes to Apple ID, iTunes, iCloud, finder etc. All the iPhones I’ve owned showed up on my Mac, but it was an old Mac (2012). Even the iPhone 11 shows but not with regular backups. The night before this happened, the phone synced with google - but gives me nothing. I have two email accounts, both are all over the place now. I have a brand new current Mac that I don’t turn on because it’s all so frustrating. Random photos taken with the iPhone 11 have appeared, but only up to a certain date. I’m executor of an estate with a property about to settle. Many screen shots, WhatsApp data, all so relevant but now gone. I’m clutching at straws a bit because I believe Apple do have access to remove the security lock but would never disclose this. Again, I thank you & appreciate your time.

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Security lockout iPhone 11

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