Forgot iPhone 18 pro max Passcode? Do THIS Immediately! (2026 Fix), by TechDecoded 2D Animation on YouTube. 1 min 28 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 28 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Try your previous passcode first. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Passcode, then enter the passcode you used before your last change. This works for up to 72 hours after the change.
If the screen reads iPhone Unavailable, tap Erase iPhone at the bottom right. Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of the account, then confirm the erase.
Let the phone restart and wipe itself. Keep it on Wi-Fi or plugged into a charger so the process does not stall partway through.
If the Erase iPhone button never appears, use recovery mode instead. Plug the phone into a Mac or a Windows PC with a cable.
On the phone, press and quickly release volume up, then volume down. Press and hold the side button until the recovery mode screen with the laptop icon appears.
On the Mac, open Finder. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app or iTunes. Select your iPhone, choose Restore, then confirm and wait for the download to finish.
When setup starts, follow the prompts and join a Wi-Fi network. Sign in with your Apple ID when asked, then choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
Pick your most recent backup and leave the phone on power until the restore finishes. Your photos, apps and settings return, but the old passcode does not.
Set a new six-digit passcode you will remember and turn Face ID back on. Check that iCloud Backup is switched on for next time.
Tips and common mistakes
The previous passcode option only shows if you changed your passcode in the last 72 hours, so look for it before you erase anything.
Erasing deletes everything stored on the phone. If your last backup is weeks old, newer photos and messages will be gone for good.
Skip paid tools. A reset iPhone still asks for your Apple ID password, so no app can bypass activation lock.
Keep the phone plugged in during the restore, because a flat battery can leave it stuck on the recovery screen.
Questions
Will I lose my photos and messages?
The erase step wipes everything stored on the phone. Anything included in an iCloud or computer backup can be restored straight afterwards.
Can I the iPhone without my Apple ID password?
No. After the reset the phone asks for the Apple ID that was signed in before, so keep that password handy.
Why is there no Forgot Passcode button on my lock screen?
It only appears within 72 hours of a passcode change. If it is missing, use the Erase iPhone button or recovery mode on a computer.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
