iPhone Getting Disabled for No Reason? Here’s the Solution

September 16, 2023
Amanda Lee
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Why is my iPhone disabled for no reason? - Lidya.

Your iPhone suddenly gets disabled for no reason and you’re sure it has nothing to do with entering a password. There aren’t many secrets to the issue. Your iPhone may keep unlocking its screen without knowing in your pockets, or during your work, sports, or many more scenarios including software bugs.

Why iPhone is Disabled for No Reason.

When you’re exercising or working, you don’t feel your phone quietly rubbing in your pockets, entering the wrong password through the screen. There are also many other reasons. If your children play with your mobile phone while you are not paying attention, the wrong passcode attempts may be entered. If it suddenly gets disabled when you are using it, it may be caused by software glitches. If you're sure that you put in the correct passcode and it happens, the reason is unsure. It's weird. Stay tuned to find the solutions below.

iPhone Keeps Disabling Itself? Security Measures Gets Escalating.

Entering too many incorrect passwords continuously over some time triggered Apple's security protection mechanism. When you are conscious of the iPhone being disabled, you are aware that the iPhone keeps disabling itself for a long time.

The more incorrect passcode attempts were entered without your knowing, the longer the timer you should wait.

How to Unlock the Disabled iPhone.

No matter how long the timer shows, such as several minutes, several hours, 3 hours, 8 hours, 7 hours 56 minutes, etc., or even without any timer, you can unlock the iPhone with these solutions.

Try to Enter the correct passcode after waiting for the timer to be up. Unlock it with all data intact.

The most simple solution is that you remember your passcode and enter it correctly after the timer is up. The phone should be unlocked immediately as normal.

If the failed tries reach 10 times, you should see no timer on it. The iPhone gets locked out permanently if you take no action to unlock it.

To enable the disabled iPhone immediately, may require ruthlessly wiping all data and restoring it to factory settings for some people. For those who have backup data, their losses are minimal. Nevertheless, all is better than you leave it on the black locked screen permanently as a useless iPhone without a password at least.

Solution 1. Unlock with the button: Erase iPhone.

If it’s the first time you’ve heard of this method, you can bookmark the method. Apple uses the Erase iPhone option among iOS 15.2 or later, iOS 16 or later, and even iOS 17 or later.

But this isn't a method that everyone can use; it's only for those who meet certain conditions. In simple terms, if you see this Erase iPhone button on your screen after 7 or more failed passcode attempts, you can use it. If not, you won’t meet the prerequisites to apply the method. And you can’t activate the Erase iPhone button when it’s locked out. It’s too late to change any settings when it’s in the disabled mode.

If you see the Erase iPhone button on the screen as the image shows, the steps to unlock the iPhone are simple.

Tap the Erase iPhone button,

Tap the Erase iPhone button.

Enter your Apple ID password that you signed in to your iPhone before the lockout.

Your iPhone can erase itself and reset to factory settings later if everything works normally.

If you’d like to learn more about why the Erase iPhone option is not appearing, we’ve assembled an article on it: iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option.

Solution 2. Unlock the disabled iPhone with the third-party app.

Third-party software is a good choice for lots of people. It’s always smart enough and flexible, fast, and reliable. SD iPhone Unlock performs well during our numerous tests to unlock the disabled iPhone. SoftwareDive experts pick it among the various unlocking tools. Without any further ado, let’s get started. Besides, the iPhone Unlocker can remove the Apple ID, clear the MDM, and unlock the screen time passcode.

The software is a piece of the computer program. Significantly, you should have a computer, either PC or Mac to install it.

Download the app here:

Free Download Free Download

Step 1. Launch the program, and get to Wipe Passcode.

The Wipe Passcode section can unlock the screen passcode, enabling your disabled iPhone in less than 20 minutes.

Step 2. Put your iPhone in recovery mode and keep it plugged into your computer.

Firstly, disconnect your iPhone from the computer and turn off your iPhone.

For iPhone 8 or later.

Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button on your iPhone until the sliders appear, then drag the Power Off slider. Wait until your iPhone turns off completely.

For iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6s, and iPhone 6.

Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. Make sure that it turns off completely.

For iPhone SE1, iPhone 5S, and earlier.

Press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears. Then drag the Power Off slider. Wait for a while, and let your iPhone turn off completely.

Secondly, press the correct buttons to enter the recovery mode.

For iPhone 8 or later.

Press quickly and release the Volume Up button. Then do the same with the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the side button while immediately connecting your iPhone to the computer with the USB cable. Don't let go of the button until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus.

Press and hold the volume down button while immediately connecting your iPhone to the computer. Keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPhone, then let go.

For iPhone SE1 and iPhone 6s and earlier.

Press and hold the Home button while immediately connecting your iPhone to your computer. Keep holding the Home button until you see the recovery mode screen, then let go.

Step 3. Confirm the iPhone information on the screen and Hit Start to download the firmware.

once the iPhone gets into recovery mode, the app goes to the next screen with the iPhone model, firmware package version, etc. After verifying that the information matches your iPhone, click "Start."

There’s one possible scenario you should know. Don’t fret over the iPhone exiting the recovery mode during the firmware download. Recovery mode can last as long as 15 minutes. If the download is not finished yet, just put it in recovery mode again.

Step 4. Unlock the iPhone.

When it prompts with the Unlock option, the program should finish the firmware download and firmware extraction process. Before clicking the button, the app warns you the action should wipe all data and settings. Enter 0000 and hit Unlock.

Keep your iPhone connected to avoid it getting brick.

The iPhone should be erased and reset in a while. When the app accomplishes the goal, it shows you the successful screen.

When the iPhone shows the Hello screen, you can unplug it from your computer.

During the setup, you can choose to restore from backups or set it as a new device.

Video Tutorial:

Solution 3. Reset it in Finder or iTunes with your computer.

If you have a computer, try to unlock your disabled iPhone with this method. Even every iPhone user may know the Finder or iTunes, but you need to pay attention to the detailed steps to ensure a successful iPhone unlocking solution.

If you plug your disabled iPhone into your computer directly, you will see nothing happens even if the Finder or iTunes is launched. The reason is that the computer can’t detect it without the recovery mode.

Recovery mode is the essential step. Let’s get started to unlock the disabled iPhone with Finder or iTunes.

Preparation:

Install iTunes on your PC or Mac. Or if you have a Mac Catalina or later, find the Finder app instead.
Update iTunes to the latest version. Update Finder via updating the macOS version.
Prepare your USB cable.

Step 1. Launch iTunes or Finder.

Step 2. Put your iPhone in recovery mode. Follow the same recovery mode operations as Solution 2, step 2.

Step 3. Keep your iPhone connected and Click Restore when it prompts.

The Finder or iTunes should immediately show up a screen asking you if you want to restore or update your iPhone when it detects the iPhone is in recovery mode. Choose. Restore.

Later you should confirm to restore it in iTunes or Finder.

Then your Finder or iTunes begins downloading the software. You can see the progress bar on the top of iTunes or the bottom of Finder.

Wait and later the iOS software should install automatically. Check if you have any backups to restore, or you can set it up as a new iPhone.

Avoid your iPhone disabled for no reason.

Don’t put your iPhone in your pockets. To avoid rubbing the screen inadvertently, you’d better find a safe place to keep it.
Keep the handset away from the kids. When they play with the phone, it’s easy to get locked.
Set a shorter auto-lock timer to lock the screen.
Set Up Face ID or Touch ID to unlock the screen if possible.
Please write down the passcode of every device you use and keep it in a safe place. You can store it online or on paper, or even password-managing apps.

Wrap It Up.

If your iPhone is disabled for no reason, don't worry, and stop feeling frustrated about that. There are many people who encounter the suddenly disabled iPhones. Learning these solutions can help you resolve it. If it's a hard lesson for you, make sure to back up your important data to minimize the losses from now on. It's wise and happy if you know the reason so that you can avoid it in the future. If the reason is still unknown, it's also very common. Hardware and software glitches are the factors that are out of people's control. However, if your iPhone frequently gets disabled for no reason, you should repair it. No one can bear resetting a handset again and again in a short period.

Want to Read:

Amanda Lee

I am the chief editor of softwaredive.com. I have been engaged in software and computer gadgets fields for over 10 years, offering proven guides, tips, and software solutions in data recovery, and multimedia field.