How to turn off iPhone lock screen, even if you forgot the passcode
And if you do not want to enter the passcode or use Face ID every time you check your iPhone, here's how to disable lock screen on iPhone, even if you're locked.
Alex Griffith Updated on Mar 20, 2025 8:51 PM
Need a tool or way which is easy to use to turn off lock screen on iPhone when you've forgotten the passcode? You'll appreciate the iPhone Unlocker software. Its feature set, such as "Wipe Passcode," "Remove Apple ID," "Bypass Activation Lock," "Screen Time Passcode," and "Remove MDM", makes it a must-have solution for easy screen lock removing of all kinds.
It's easy to disable screen lock for iPhone, but consider the risks of exposing your privacy.
Apple encourages iPhone users to set a lock screen with passcode to ensure the security of your online accounts and sensitive data from unwanted access. Sometimes, however, you will want to turn off the lock screen to keep your iPhone on auto unlock state, so that you don't need to type the passcode or Face ID every time you check your phone.
The only caveat is that disabling screen lock on iPhone leaves your private information vulnerable to being stolen or changed by someone else.
In this guide, you will learn the tips to remove the lock screen on the iPhone so that you can get into your device faster, regardless of the current passcode you have or not.
Table of Contents
How to disable lock screen iPhone via Settings
Managing iPhone lock screen can be done easily through the Settings app. Follow these steps to disable the lock screen:
1. Access the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to Face ID & Passcode.
3. Or, navigate to Touch ID & Passcode if your iPhone has a Home button.
4. Enter your current lock screen passcode. This will give you an overview of the lock screen settings.
5. Tap Turn Passcode Off. If you want to re-enable it, simply toggle it back to On later.
6. You'll have to type your passcode in again to confirm you want to turn the lock screen off.
7. You will also want to Toggle off the iPhone Unlock option there.
Check if your iPhone screen lock is turned off correctly by sliding your finger upwards starting from the bottom of the screen and watching if your iPhone opens. This allows you to quickly verify that the lock screen is disabled and properly configured.
If you forget iPhone passcode, unfortunately, your iPhone needs to be restored to default settings to remove lock screen and passcode. This allows you set the phone up and use it again. During setup, you will be given option to restore your data and settings from a recent backup on iCloud or local computer.
Here're alternative methods to disable iPhone lock screen if you've forgotten the passcode.
Turn off the lock screen on iPhone via iTunes
Besides using Settings, you can disable the lock screen through iTunes even if you can't remember the current passcode to unlock your iPhone.
If you have previously synced your iPhone with a Mac or Windows computer, you typically can connect the phone into the same computer. After the connection, you just need to "Restore" your iPhone without having to enter the current passcode. Anything, including your data, settings, passcode, lock screen, will be deleted permanently.
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer that used to sync the device, and open iTunes, or Finder app on your Mac.
2. Locate your device and go to Summary tab.
3. Click Restore iPhone.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the restore process.
5. When iOS Setup Assistant asks to set up your iPhone, follow the prompts and choose the most recent backup to recover your data.
You can now access your iPhone without lock screen.
Also: How to unlock iPad passcode
Disable lock screen on iPhone via Recovery mode
Now, if you have forgotten your passcode, you will want to put your iPhone in Recovery Mode. Then connect to a Mac or PC and follow the steps shown here to delete your lock screen, along with your iPhone reset and all data erased, though.
Step 1. Press the Side + Volume down buttons to turn off your iPhone. If you have an older model, use Side button instead.
Step 2. Use button combination to boot into recovery mode.
iPhone 8 and later model: Attach your iPhone with your computer while quickly holding the Side button.
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Attach the iPhone with your computer while quickly holding the Volume down button.
iPhone 6s and earlier or iPhone SE (1st gen): Attach the iPhone with your computer while quickly holding the Home down.
Keep holding the button until the recovery mode appears on the screen.
Step 3. Use your iTunes to restore your iPhone.
Open iTunes in PC, and select your phone icon from the top center window, then in Summary click Restore iPhone or Restore Backup, depending on whether you backed the device up before.
You'll be asked to confirm that you want to restore your iPhone.
Step 4. If you have a Mac, use the Finder to restore your iPhone.
Open Finder app, choose Restore when prompted to Restore or Update the device. If the dialog doesn't pop up, locate your device from sidebar of Finder, then select Restore iPhone from General tab.
Step 5. iTunes will then begin download iOS software and reinstall on your iPhone. Do not disconnect it from your computer during the restoration process.
Step 6. Follow the on-screen Instructions to set up your iPhone. No more lock screen exists.
Also: How to add MP3 to Apple Music on iPhone
Turn off screen lock on iPhone with third-party solution (without passcode)
There are also third-party software options available that can help turn off iPhone screen lock if you forgot the passcode. Among them, iPhone Unlocker is widely used thanks to its versatility and efficiency. It has many great features to wipe forgotten passcode, remove Apple ID, bypass Activation Lock, unlock Screen Time passcode, and other screen lock removal scenarios.
If you're locked out of your iPhone and need to remove screen lock passcode on iPhone, take a look at iPhone Unlocker.
/It's easy to turn screen lock off iPhone using this software when the device locks you out due to a forgotten passcode. Here's how it's done:
Step 1: Launch iPhone Unlocker
After installation, open this software from your computer desktop, then select "Wipe Passcode" to remove screen lock and passcode.
Then plug your phone into the computer and wait it to be detected. If not, click "Device connected but not recognized" link to troubleshoot it. It's pretty easy.
Step 2: Confirm the basic phone info
After the connection is successful, check the information it displays.
Step 3: Download firmware package
Press "Start" button to begin downloading firmware for your locked phone.
Step 4: Begin unlocking iPhone and removing lock screen
After it completes download, click "Unlock" button on the screen and confirm your action.
Once you've done that, the iPhone will turn black and display a black progress bar at the screen. Let the software reset the iPhone for you.
When the reset process is done, your iPhone will be erased completely, which means the data is deleted, passcode and screen lock is removed.
Now you can get into iPhone without any screen lock. Enjoy it.
Tip: Your iPad is managed by a school or company and need to remove the restrictions? See guide: How to remove remote management from iPad.
Turn lock screen off iPhone via Forgot Passcode
With the release of iOS 17, Apple launched Forgot Passcode tool as an additional measure to reset your iPhone and remove screen lock when you've forgotten passcode. If your iPhone has an iOS software with iOS 17 and later, you will be able to access this dedicated tool and use your Apple Account password to turn off iPhone locked screen. Here's how.
1. Continue entering your passcode 5 times until iPhone Unavailable screen appears.
3. Tap Forgot Passcode at the bottom right corner.
4. Select Start iPhone Reset. It indicates that you get a security lockout iPhone. If you don't know your passcode, you can choose to erase and reset the phone.
5. Enter your Apple Account password to sign out of Apple ID.
6. Wait for iPhone to reset completely.
If your iPhone is running from iOS 15.2 to iOS 16, follow these steps to remove lock on iPhone.
1. Tap Erase iPhone at the bottom.
2. Select Erase iPhone to confirm on Erase All Content & Settings screen.
3. Sign in to your Apple ID password.
4. Again, tap Erase iPhone.
FAQs about iPhone screen lock disable
If you have more queries about disabling lock screen, please read the FAQs below.
Q1. How do I get my iPhone out of Security Lockout mode?
If your iPhone says Security Lockout error on the screen, you will not unlock the device unless erasing and resetting it. You may click the link provided to get more details of getting out of this lockout mode.
Q2. Why is my iPhone Lock Screen not turning off?
If your iPhone lock screen remains turn on, it's probably because you have enabled 'Always On Display' feature in Settings, which causes the screen to stay on even when locked. You may go to Settings > Display & Brightness and switch the "Always On Display" option to OFF position.
Q3. How do I turn off lock screen time on iPhone?
Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. You then can select the time duration you want the screen to stay on before automatically locking.
Q4. How can I turn off Auto-Lock on iPhone?
If you don't want your iPhone to stay on too long before the screen lock again, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. To turn it off, please tap Never. This means your iPhone will never lock automatically until you press the Power button manually.
Q5. Is it safe to leave my lock screen disabled all the time?
Even your iPhone is always with you, turning off iPhone lock screen can expose you to privacy risks if someone gain access. It is recommended to set a passcode to secure the device, especially if you have a large amount of data and sensitive information there.
