Forgot iPhone passcode - How to unlock without data loss?

i forgot my passcode, please what can i do... i have tried so many times and i am now scared of trying again after it was locked for 8 hrs...hope it won't harm to try once again before flashing as it is not backed up.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Forgot passcode

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 3:54 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 6:26 PM

While the above post from Smilin-Brian gives you the information you need to restore your phone if you have forgotten your iPhone passcode, when you suggest you have not backed up your phone and you don't want to lose your data, that is NOT possible. The time to backup is before something goes wrong, not after it goes wrong. To get back in your phone, will require erasing it. Anything you may have synced with iCloud will be able to sync back to your phone. But the rest of your data will be wiped and there is no way around that.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 31, 2025 6:26 PM in response to chioma218

While the above post from Smilin-Brian gives you the information you need to restore your phone if you have forgotten your iPhone passcode, when you suggest you have not backed up your phone and you don't want to lose your data, that is NOT possible. The time to backup is before something goes wrong, not after it goes wrong. To get back in your phone, will require erasing it. Anything you may have synced with iCloud will be able to sync back to your phone. But the rest of your data will be wiped and there is no way around that.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Forgot iPhone passcode - How to unlock without data loss?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.