iPhone is Disabled and Won't Connect to iTunes Solved

My iphone is disabled and won't connect to itunes, worried all day with a black screen. I need to undisable it. Urgent help needed!

Your iPhone is disabled and won't connect to iTunes? Or, when you connect your disabled iPhone to iTunes, nothing happens? It's frustrating when you try to fix the issue with iTunes, but it doesn't work. Many people encounter problems with their disabled iPhones not connecting to iTunes and seek help. Don't worry, we're here to help you fix it with hassle-free solutions.

Note that iOS 15/16 or later says iPhone Unavailable or security lockout instead of iPhone is disabled. Both sayings are the same meanings. When we mean iPhone is disabled in this article, we also cover the iPhone Unavailable or security lockout as a disabled iPhone.

Whether it is a disabled or unavailable iPhone 13/14/15, 13 mini, 13/14/15 Pro, 13/14/15 Pro Max,12(mini), 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11,11 Pro,11 Pro Max, iPhone X(10), XR, XS, Xs(Max), iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6s/6s Plus, iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPhone 5, 4 or iPhone SE, the following solutions work great.

Why does your iPhone say "iPhone is Disabled, Connect to iTunes" but it won't connect to iTunes?

Apple has designed an escalating security measure to protect your iPhone data. Every Apple iPhone user has a limit of 10 attempts before the ultimate lockout. The more wrong passcodes you enter, the longer you will have to wait before trying again.  Please refer to the article iPhone is disabled/unavailable try again to learn more.

Apple suggests you restore your disabled iPhone to factory settings by connecting to iTunes with that message.

If you’ve never synced your iPhone to iTunes on your computer, it will require the passcode for authorization but nothing can be done with the disabled black-screen iPhone. If iTunes or a computer won't recognize a disabled iPhone, or iTunes doesn't recognize iPhone in recovery mode, it won't connect to proceed. When you connect your disabled iPhone to iTunes, nothing happens or nothing shows up, it's futile to connect to iTunes. Realistically, it is unlikely that the iTunes Restore button will appear on the device.

What do you do when your disabled iPhone won't connect to iTunes?

If you can remember your passcode, wait until the time is up to enter the correct passcode, when you forgot it, follow the below guides.

When your iPhone says "iPhone is disabled" or "iPhone is Disabled, Connect to iTunes", “iPhone Unavailable” or “Security Lockout” but does not connect to iTunes or show up in iTunes, you can reset it with third-party software, iCloud or Finder. We don't advise you to fix the issue with iTunes as it may take more effort and time.

Here we offer four easy ways to fix it. But remember that you cannot bypass erasing all data of your iPhone and then set up your iPhone again. With a disabled or locked iPhone, you need to factory reset it to enable the iPhone.

Option 1: Reset your iPhone with SD iPhone unlocker.

Option 2: Bypass your Disabled iPhone via Recovery Mode.

Option 3: Unlock and erase your iPhone via the Find My iPhone app.

Option 4: Bypass it on Finder.

Option 1: Reset Your Locked iPhone with SD iPhone Unlocker.

SD iPhone Unlocker is smart safe and effective to unlock your iPhone passcode, remove Apple ID, and wipe screen time passcode. The software can reset your iPhone to factory settings with the passcode removed. When your iPhone says disabled connect to iTunes but it won't work with iTunes, it's worth trying to fix it with the third-party software SD iPhone Unlocker, which is a perfect workaround.

Firstly, download this SD iPhone unlocker and install it on your computer.

Step 1: Launch it and connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.

Step 2: Choose Wipe Passcode.

Step 3: Click Start and Put your iPhone in recovery mode.

Click Device connected but not recognized option, the app will guide you to put your iPhone in DFU or recovery mode. Firstly, turn off your iPhone, then press the buttons as the screen shows while connecting it to the computer.

Do as the screen shows. Click the blue link below to switch the screen directions for DFU or Recovery Mode. Either mode is okay to proceed.

Step 4: Confirm your device information. Start the downloading process of the firmware via the Download Start button.

Step 5: When the firmware is downloaded completely, click Start Unlock. Enter "0000" to confirm it.

Later, when your iPhone is awake with the Hello screen, you can set it up.

Video Tutorial:

Option 2: Bypass and Connect Your Disabled iPhone to iTunes to Fix via Recovery Mode.

Don't worry if your disabled iPhone can't connect to iTunes, use this Apple official recommended option: Recovery Mode.

Recovery mode is a nuclear option to reset the iPhone with troublesome errors. Factory resetting your iPhone is not complicated but needs the iPhone hardware button operations.

Step 1: Put your iPhone into Recovery Mode.

On iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, and later: Press and hold the side button and the Volume down button until the power off slider appears. Turn off your iPhone. Connect your device to your computer while holding the Side button. Keep holding the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.

On iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the power off slider appears. Turn off your iPhone. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the Volume down button. Keep holding the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.

On iPhone 6s or earlier: Turn off your iPhone. Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device. Connect your iPhone to your computer while holding the Home button. Keep holding the Home button until you see the recovery mode screen.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to a computer and launch iTunes.

Step 3: Click Restore and wait for a few minutes when downloading the latest iOS software.

Step 4: Set up your iPhone again.

Remember to choose to restore from iTunes or iCloud backup if you have one during the set-up process.

For iPhone in recovery mode won't connect to iTunes issue, please move to iPhone in Recovery Mode Won’t Connect to iTunes.

Option 3: Unlock and Erase Your Locked iPhone via the Find My iPhone App.

If the above two options are not viable, and you are still stuck when your iPhone is disabled and can't connect to iTunes problem. Take a deep breath to try this option 3 which requires more.

What do you need: 

Your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi, with the find my app turned on before being locked out. You have either a computer or mobile device to browse the website or receive the access pin code of your iPhone.

The last requirement is your Apple ID and passcode.

Even if you don’t have physical access to your iPhone, you can remotely reset your iPhone via the Find My iPhone app on iCloud.com.

Step 1: Open iCloud.com with your computer or borrow your friend's iOS device. login into iCloud.com with your Apple ID credentials.

Step 2: Click all devices and locate your iPhone from the list.

Step 3: Hit the Erase option on the map and enter your Apple ID passcode.

step 4: Confirm.

Option 4: Fix it with Finder on a Mac. 

If you have a Mac, you are likely to fix it by yourself on Finder. Steps to fix iPhone is disabled won't connect to iTunes on Finder.

1.  Upgrade your MacOS to the latest version, and your Finder should be updated at the same time.

2. Put your disabled iPhone in recovery mode and connect to your Mac computer.

3. When the Retore option appears, click "Restore", then click"Restore & Update" then.

Video Tutorial on How to Fix iPhone is Disabled and Won't Connect to iTunes.

After the resetting, set up your iPhone again as new or set up your iPhone via Restore from iTunes or iCloud backup. It’s a pity that you will lose everything on your iPhone if there isn’t any backup. Developing a regular backup habit is a reliable guarantee to protect your data. Move to this guide on how to back up your iPhone to your computer or iCloud.

If you would rather not lose your data to undisable your iPhone/iPad, read this How to Restore Disabled iPhone without Losing Data.

iPhone Unavailable vs. iPhone is Disabled: What are the Similarities and Differences?

You may also want to see our guide on How to Factory Reset iPhone with Buttons, iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes, How to Turn Off Passcode on Your iPhone, No Option for “Forgot Screen Time Passcode”, iPhone Disabled Bypass, How to Reset iPhone without Password or Computer.