If your iPhone is disabled and showing the message
“iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes,” it means that too many
incorrect passcode attempts have been made. Here’s a step-by-step guide to
resolve this issue:
Step 1: Determine the Next Steps Based on Your Device
You’ll need a computer (Mac or Windows) with iTunes
installed. If you have a Mac running macOS Catalina or later, use Finder
instead of iTunes.
Step 2: Put Your iPhone in Recovery Mode
Recovery mode allows you to restore or update your device.
The process depends on your iPhone model:
- For
iPhone 8, iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd Gen), and later: - Press
and release the Volume Up button. - Press
and release the Volume Down button. - Press
and hold the Side Button until you see the recovery mode screen (a
cable pointing to a computer). - For
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: - Press
and hold the Volume Down button and the Side Button
simultaneously. - Keep
holding until the recovery mode screen appears. - For
iPhone 6s and earlier: - Press
and hold the Home Button and the Side/Top Button at the
same time. - Release
both buttons when the recovery mode screen appears.
Step 3: Connect to a Computer
- Connect
your iPhone to your computer using a USB or Lightning cable. - Open
iTunes (on Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (on
macOS Catalina or later).
Step 4: Restore or Update
A prompt will appear on your computer to either Update
or Restore the iPhone.
- Update:
Attempts to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. This option is worth
trying first. - Restore:
Erases all content and settings on your iPhone, allowing you to set it up
as new or restore from a backup.
- Select
Restore if updating fails or isn’t an option. - Wait
for the process to complete. Your iPhone will reboot once finished.
Step 5: Set Up Your iPhone
- After
the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart. - Follow
the on-screen setup instructions. - If
you have a backup in iCloud or iTunes, choose the option to Restore
from Backup during the setup process.
Step 6: Prevent This Issue in the Future
- Use
a passcode you can easily remember, or consider enabling Face ID or Touch
ID for quicker access. - Regularly
back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes to avoid losing data if this
happens again.
Troubleshooting
- If
Recovery Mode Fails: Retry the process, ensuring the iPhone stays
connected during the restore. - No
Computer Available: You’ll need to borrow or access a computer, as
this process cannot be completed directly on the iPhone.