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iOS 7 forgot restrictions passcode

I have updated to iOS 7. My location services have been disabled and findmyiphone is turned on but with restricted access. However I have forgotten my restrictions pass code so am unable to turn on location services. If I try and restore iphone via iTunes it tells me I have to turn off findmyiphone first. But I can't do this because I have forgotten this restriction passcode.


Totally stuck now. Seems there is no way to reset my phone.


Any ideas?

iPhone 5, iOS 7

Posted on Sep 18, 2013 4:16 PM

Reply
304 replies

Nov 9, 2014 11:02 AM in response to lenadon

Sorry that it looked complicated, but thanks for the info on where to find the file on a Mac.


With an unencrypted backup through iTunes, all that you need is the file name.


That looks like an odd file, but the iOS devices (or special software) know that is where the passcode is stored.


Very happy to know this has helped a few others!


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Jun 26, 2014 3:25 AM in response to MillValleyiMacG5

Thank you, this has worked today on an iPad2 with iOS 7.1.1.


Used iBackupBot. It came up with lots of errors when I tried to use it with my iTunes backup. It only worked once I deleted all the backups in c:\users\name\appdata etc., and made a new backup with iBackupBot somewhere else. Edited restrictedpassword.plist as shown, and the password 1234 worked.

Jul 2, 2014 4:46 PM in response to StephRi0s

Well the problem is this is school ipad if I erase it I will lose all my school work

StephRi0s wrote:


I did this also.

think i found a solution but you must know your apple ID and PW.


1. sign into icloud.com

2. once you are signed in click on "find my iphone" tab

3. click "all devices" on top of the page

4. click on the device you lost your passcode to.

5. once you do a couple of choices will come up "play sound" "lost mode" and "erase iphone"

click on the erase iphone. and it will begin to whip out your iphone.

6. once i was done i connected it back into my itunes and restored from my last backup. i was then

able to get into my phone and reset my passcode. :-)


hope this helps. i was so lost i thought i messed up big time lol.

Jul 14, 2014 6:17 AM in response to 4Derson

Thanks heaps. Worked like magic. I was getting hopeless seeing solutions like "erase iPhone, restore from old backup in recovery mode", etc. I got iBackupBot, found the necessary keys, pasted into your webpage, started the engine and made myself a coffee. I started with code 0000, so it took a while but not that long...The last few sips of my coffee tasted awesome 🙂 Thanks again...

Nov 9, 2014 10:56 AM in response to 4Derson

Thanks a lot 4Derson! After trying the old solution and being unable to save the modified .plist, I tried to find the code on your webpage and it worked! :-)


It was not clear at first to me so I'll explain my way:


No need to edit any file, you can simply find the actual password from your backup! I used iBackUpBot (demo version) and in the backup files matching my device, I opened the following folder: HomeDomain > Library > Preferences. Then I opened the file com.apple.restrictionspassword.plist.


Then you simply identify the two strings that look similar to the example shown on that page, copy/paste them in the appropriate text boxes and then scan for the code from 0000 to 9999. As the scan is slow, you might want to try a few possible codes you might think of and see if the keys match. And you can stop or resume the scan from/to the point you had reached before. Finally, you will find the code stored in the device and simply enter it the normal way to unlock restrictions!


Hope that's clear for those who, like me, didn't understand the principle at first.


Oh, and to those who are wondering if it's their memory or a bug... In my case, even if I was pretty sure I had tried all codes I had possibly been using, as soon as the scan revealed the code in use, well, I then could recognize and remember the code I had chosen myself and properly fogotten—so not a bug for me!


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iOS 7 forgot restrictions passcode

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