How to unlock iPhone after forgetting passcode and removing 72-hour usage?

Thank you for reaching out. 🤗

To unlock an iPhone after forgetting the passcode, you need to erase it and restore it.

Use Apple’s official guide: If you forgot your iPhone passcode for step‑by‑step instructions.

Learn how to restore your iPhone from a backup for step‑by‑step instructions.

If you need more help, contact Apple Support directly.

Good Luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

Hello,

I see you may have a disabled device or forgotten device passcode. If you see a waiting period you can try again after the timer ends. If you wish to proceed with resetting, or if it is disabled/security lockout/unavailable, refer to this support article for various methods that you can use to resolve this. --> If you forgot your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro passcode, reset your device without a computer - 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. If you prefer to watch a video about this go to this web site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0ULNMLj8sM

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 --> Use a computer to reset your iPhone and your passcode - Apple Support and Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support .

If you reset your passcode in the last 72 hours and have forgotten it, read this article about a special reset service available in iOS 17 and higher. --> If you forget your new passcode, use your old passcode to unlock your iPhone or iPad within 72 hours - Apple Support

If you have forgotten the passcode, the iPhone is not accepting new passcode entry attempts, and you are not within the 72-hour password reset window, you cannot unlock the iPhone without resetting and erasing it.

Any data that exists only on the iPhone will be lost – and you will only be able to get back data which also exists elsewhere (synchronized to iCloud, backed up to iCloud, on email servers, etc.).

Assuming that you were logged into your iPhone with your Apple Account and had Find My enabled, you'll need your Apple Account ID and password to satisfy Activation Lock and proceed with the reset.

If you just changed your passcode: If you forget your new passcode, use your old passcode to unlock your iPhone or iPad within 72 hours - Apple Support

With a computer: Use a computer to reset your iPhone and your passcode - Apple Support

Without: If you forgot your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro passcode, reset your device without a computer - Apple Support

The passcode is the means of data decryption, so resetting the password resets the data.