I need to get into my child's phone but there is a passcode on it that I do not have and I am not sure if the phone is linked to an Apple ID, what can I do?

PLEASE BEWARE THIS PROCESS WILL COMPLETELY ERASE THE DEVICE SO IF YOU DONT HAVE A BACKUP ALL PERSONAL CONTENT ON THE PHONE WILL BE LOST THE BENEFIT TO GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS IS TO ALLOW THE PHONE TO BE USED AGAIN SO IF YOUR INTENTION IS TO FIND OUT WHAT HE HAS BEEN UP TO AND YOU DONT HAVE A BACKUP THIS WONT HELP that being said first things first check if the phone is activation locked by using this link https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/ if it is you will need the Apple ID and password after you restore the iPhone to be able to activate the iPhone and use it again if you don't know the Apple ID you might be able to locate it using this link https://iforgot.apple.com/appleid once you find out the Apple ID if you need to reset the password you can you this link https://iforgot.apple.com/ if the iPhone is activation locked and you can't find the Apple ID or reset the password please don't proceed any further and call apple because restoring the phone without knowing what the Apple ID and password is if it's activation locked will stop you from using it you can find your local apple support number using this link Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support ok so if you have made it this far use the instructions from this link to restore the iPhone back to factory settings If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your device is disabled - Apple Support

Good luck hope this helps

I think you should reevaluate invading your child's privacy like that. Would you want your parents doing that?

However if you must the only way to do get into the phone, and see what is currently on it is to wipe and restore the device. I am assuming you want to know what is on it, not just use it.

First check if the phone has activation lock enabled: https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/

If it does you will need the Apple ID and Apple ID password. AKA iTunes / iCloud account etc.

If it A does not have activation lock enabled or B you know this information you may proceed.

You then have two options for erase and restore, in order to do so there will need to be a backup somewhere.

If you do not have the Apple ID information (There must not be Activation Lock) then you will only be able to do this via an iTunes backup. Check the computer they may sync this phone with. If there is a backup in iTunes (look in the iTunes settings/preferences under devices) Then you can wipe the iPhone and restore it using iTunes using this link If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Once you complete that the iPhone should walk you through how to either A restore using iTunes backup or B restore from iCloud.

If you have the Apple ID information you can do either iTunes or iCloud however if you do not have Apple ID info then you can only do the iTunes backup (ONLY IF NO ACTIVATION LOCK)

In the end this will restore everything to the device but omit the password.

I do hope this helps but seriously reconsider doing this and talk to your child instead.

Ask your child for the passcode

You will not be able to access it without the passcode

That will NOT show anyone what is currently on the phone. At best, it will allow someone to see what was on the phone when it was last backed up. Assuming it ever was backed up.

Well guess I'm giving thr kid the benefit of the doubt of being backed up daily. I know I do.