>>> So I could try all my codes, but Apple decided that I must wait 1, 5, 15 and then 60 minutes between each attempt. Thanks Apple. So I could go through the rest of my codes, one every hour, or I could try and work out how to restore my phone.
>> just commenting on 1,5,15,60 minutes wait.
but there is a one shortout that works around the wait. (works for me)
once you know you are going to start the attempt.
1. turn off automatic setting of timezone under general - settings - date&time.
so now the time setting is manual.
2. set some back date and time manually.
say if today is 20th Sept 10am 20mins, then set date as 1st sept 10am 20mins
3. now you are ready to start your guess attempts.
4. go to general - settings - restrictions and try your attempt.
if the guess is wrong...
it would tell you wait for 1 or 5 or 15 or 60 minutes depending upon how many failed attempts you have.
5. so now to by-pass the waiting minutes , go back to date and time.
general - settings - date&time. - forward the time by that many times.
so if the currect was 20th Sept 10am 20mins , and the failed restriction attempts says wait 60mins.
so change date time to 20th Sept 11am 21mins.
This fools the iphone to time that the wait time has passed away.
6. go back to general - settings - restrictions , and you will be able to enter restriction code attempt again.
Once you are done with you restriction code attempts, then you can reset the time back to the current date and time.