As an Apple expert with over 10 years experience of mobile technology, I have created this in-depth guide on how to unlock an iPhone XR – even if you have forgotten the passcode.
My easy-to-follow article contains tried and tested solutions on the following iPhone XR passcode removal topics:
- Free passcode reset methods.
- How to keep all your data after a passcode reset without a restore.
- What to do if you don’t have a computer.
- Unlocking tools.
- Using recovery mode.
- The Apple passcode reset procedure.
- Unlock iPhone XR without Face ID or a password.
- Using Face ID.
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My iPhone XR unlocking instructions
The iPhone XR was released with a number of security features that prevent unauthorized access to your iOS device including the passcode and Face ID.
Read on and in a few minutes, you will know our tried and tested steps to get your device unlocked…
Use Find My
When you use Find My or iCloud to unlock your iPhone XR it will erase all the data.
To avoid losing recent information permanently, it is important to check when the last iPhone backup was done on your device.
You can unlock the passcode via iCloud using any internet-connected smartphone, tablet, or computer as follows:
- On another computer, tablet, or smartphone, open a web browser and go to iCloud.com and sign in.
- If you have Two Factor Authentication turned on, you will be prompted for your authentication code.
- Once signed in, click Find iPhone.
- All the Apple devices you own will be located.
- Once your devices have been located, they will appear on a map.
- At the top of the screen, select All Devices and select your iPhone XR from the list.
- Next, click Erase iPhone to remove the passcode. This process will also remove all the data from your iOS device.
- On the dialog box that pops open, confirm you want to erase the device.
- The passcode and all the data will be removed from your iPhone.
- Once erased, set up your device and restore your iPhone data.
Use recovery mode
The officially recommended method to unlock and reset the passcode is to put your iPhone XR into Recovery Mode.
When using this technique, you need to gather the following items:
- A Mac, or a PC with Windows 8, or newer and iTunes installed.
- Your passcode locked iPhone XR.
- A USB cable to connect your phone to the computer.
To use recovery mode do the following:
- Press and hold both the side button and the Volume down button on your iPhone XR until the power-off slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your device, then wait a minute to make sure it turns off completely.
- Press and hold the iPhone XR side button while immediately connecting it to the computer. Don’t let go of the button.
- Keep holding the button until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPhone, then let go. If you see the passcode screen, you need to turn off your iPhone and start again.
- Locate your iPhone in the Finder or in iTunes on the computer.
- When you see the option to Restore or Update, choose Restore. Your computer downloads software for your iPhone XR and begins the restore process. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then turn off your iPhone and start again.
- Wait for the process to finish.
- Once done, disconnect your iPhone from the computer, then set up your iPhone.
Use software tools
As mentioned earlier, if you follow the official instructions from Apple to reset a forgotten passcode then all your data will be deleted from your iPhone XR. The idea is that you recover the erased contents from a backup.
But what if you don’t have a backup?
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There are a couple of solutions you can try – one free and one paid – that will remove the passcode and recover the missing data.
Free method
There is a free unlock method that worked with older iPhone models that may work on iPhone XR.
It has quite a low success rate, but if you want a free way to unlock your passcode and keep your data – even without a restore – then it may be worth trying.
This technique uses a software tool called IPSW to hack your iPhone XR.
As shown in the video below, it is downloaded onto a PC and used to unlock the passcode without erasing the data.
For a step-by-step guide on this method and further information, see Bypass iPhone passcode without losing all your data.
Paid method
If the free technique doesn’t work there is also a few paid software tool you can use to unlock the passcode and restore the lost data. You will need a computer for these to work.
| Tool | Rating | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 LockWiper | ★★★★★ | Removes locks such as passcode, Face ID, Apple ID, MDM lock, & screen time lock. | |
| #2 D-Back iPhone Data Recovery | ★★★★★ | Recovers erased data from an iOS device, iTunes, or iCloud – including photos, messages, and more… | |
#3 Ultdata | ★★★★ | Recovers 35 deleted file types from iOS devices, iTunes, or iCloud backups. | |
The paid passcode unlocking process is as follows:
- Download and install the data recovery tool of your choice. There are free trial versions available – so you can try them out before you buy them.
- Before you wipe your device, test the data recovery program on your iPhone XR to see if it will get back deleted files. If so, move on to the next step. If not, try the other tool.
- Download and install the passcode removal tool.
- Use the passcode removal tool to unlock the iPhone XR screen. The phone’s data will be wiped.
- Recover your data from the wiped phone using the data recovery tool you successfully tested in step 2.
For more in-depth instructions on unlocking iPhone XR without a backup or restore, see Unlock an iPhone passcode without a restore.
Use Apple Watch
You can use a paired Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone XR by doing the following:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings
- Tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Scroll down, then below Unlock with Apple Watch turn on Apple Watch.
To unlock your iPhone XR, your Apple Watch must have a passcode, be unlocked and on your wrist, and be close to your iPhone.
Use Face ID
If you have Face ID configured on your iPhone XR, do the following:
- Tap the screen or raise your iPhone XR to wake it, then look at your iPhone. The lock icon at the top of the lock screen animates from closed to open to indicate that your device is unlocked.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to use the phone.
To lock iPhone again:
- Press the side button.
If you don’t touch the screen for a minute or two, your iPhone XR locks automatically.
If you don’t have Face ID enabled, find out how to Set up Face ID on iPhone.
If Face ID isn’t working
If you set up Face ID on your iPhone XR, but it no longer works do the following:
Check your Face ID settings
- On your iPhone, tap Settings.
- Then, tap Face ID & Passcode.
- Â Check Face ID is set up and turned on.
Check the front-facing camera can scan your face properly
Make sure nothing is covering the front-facing TrueDepth camera on your iPhone XR with the following checks:
- Get rid of anything that may be covering the front camera such as dirt, a case, or a screen protector
- Ensure you are not covering the front-facing TrueDepth camera with your hand.
- Make sure your face is not covered. Your eyes, nose, and mouth must be fully visible to the front TrueDepth camera.
- Make sure your eyes aren’t blocked if you’re wearing a face mask. You may need to hold your iPhone higher than normal.
- If you’re wearing sunglasses designed to block certain types of infrared light your iPhone XR won’t unlock. Try using Face ID without your sunglasses.
If none of these fixes work, check if there are any iOS updates for your iPhone.
How to fix Face ID if it stops working
If you have tried the fixes above and they haven’t worked, you need to reset your Face ID on your phone.
Before you begin, make sure your face isn’t covered and you take off your sunglasses.
You can use Face ID with face masks on iPhone XR as long as you have iOS 15.4 or later installed. Face ID works best when your iPhone is approximately 10-15 inches from your face.
To reset Face ID:
- On your iPhone, tap Settings.
- Scroll down, then tap Face ID & Passcode.
- If prompted, enter the screen lock code.
- Tap Reset Face ID. This will disable Face ID security on your device.
- Return to the Home screen.
- Tap Settings.
- Then, tap Face ID & Passcode. If asked, enter your passcode. If you didn’t set a passcode, you’ll be asked to create one to use as an alternative way to verify your identity.
- Tap Set Up Face ID.
- Next, tap Get Started.
- Position your face inside the frame shown on the screen and move your head to complete a circle.
- When you’ve finished the first Face ID scan, tap Continue.
- Repeat the scan a second time.
- Tap Done.
You can unlock iPhone XR without Face ID by using the passcode you picked when you first set up your device.
Can my iPhone XR be unlocked without using a computer?
In situations where you’re without a computer and need to unlock your iPhone XR, there are a few practical methods you can try. Each of these approaches can be effective, depending on your circumstances.
Use software tools:
- Find a reputable software tool designed for iPhone unlocking, such as Lockwiper, Ultdata or D-Back.
- Download and install the software to a computer.
- Connect your iPhone XR to the computer via USB.
- Follow the software’s instructions to unlock your phone. This usually involves the tool automatically performing necessary steps to bypass the lock screen.
- Once completed, your iPhone will be unlocked and you can use D-back to recover your data.
Software tool based unlocking is covered earlier in this guide.
Borrow a Friend’s Apple Device:
- Reach out to a friend, family member, or colleague.
- Borrow their smartphone, tablet, or even a computer.
- Open a web browser and navigate to iCloud.com.
- Log in with your Apple ID and password.
- Select ‘Find My iPhone’ from the iCloud menu.
- Choose your iPhone XR from the list of devices and select ‘Erase iPhone’ to remotely wipe your device and remove the passcode.
- After erasing, you can set up your phone again, restoring data from a backup if available.
Find My based lock removal is covered earlier in this guide.
Use Another Apple Device You Own:
- On another Apple device you own, like an iPad, download the Find My app.
- Open the app and log in with your Apple ID.
- Select your iPhone XR from the device list.
- Use the option to ‘Erase iPhone,’ which will remotely remove the passcode from your device.
- Once the process is complete, you can set up your phone again.
Visit an Apple Store:
- If available, visit your nearest Apple Store or an Apple reseller.
- Politely ask for assistance to reset your passcode. In my experience they are happy to provide access to one of their Mac computers for this purpose.
- Follow the standard iCloud procedure to erase and reset your passcode.
For more detailed instructions on what to do, see How to unlock the passcode on an iPhone when you don’t have access to a computer.
Can my iPhone XR be unlocked without a restore?
Unlocking your iPhone XR without resorting to a full restore is possible while retaining your existing data and settings.
Use iCloud’s ‘Find My iPhone’ for remote unlock:
- Borrow a friend’s device or use another device you own.
- Open a web browser and navigate to iCloud.com.
- Log in with your Apple ID and password.
- Select ‘Find My iPhone’ and then choose your iPhone XR from the list of devices.
- Use the ‘Lost Mode’ in Find My iPhone. This allows you to lock your device with a new passcode, effectively unlocking it without a full restore.
- Once you set a new passcode, use it to unlock your samrtphone.
Find My based lock removal is covered earlier in this guide.
Seek assistance from Apple Support or a trusted technician:
- Contact Apple Support for guidance on unlocking your device without a restore.
- Alternatively, visit a trusted technician or an Apple Store.
- They can provide professional assistance to unlock your device, often without the need for a full restore.
Use Siri (for certain iOS versions):
Note: This method may not work on all devices and depends on specific iOS versions.
- Activate Siri on your device by pressing and holding the side button.
- Ask Siri to open an app that you don’t have. When Siri says the app is not present, it will open the App Store.
- Once the App Store is open, click on any app, then click on the Home button. This might should take you to the home screen.
For more detailed instructions on what to do, see How to unlock the passcode on an iPhone without restore.
How to bypass other kinds of iPhone XR lock
Apart from passcode unlocking, there are 2 other types of lock removal that you may come across on Apple phones:
Each lock serves a different purpose and are crucial for specific scenarios, but are not covered in this guide.
About the passcode
When you set up your iPhone for the first time you will be asked to create a 4 or 6-digit passcode. This is in addition to Touch ID which allows you to unlock your phone by using your fingerprint.
If Face ID fails, the passcode is used as a backup unlock method. Face ID can go wrong, making it vital that you remember your passcode.
If you get the passcode wrong your device will be disabled for a period of time. If you continue to enter the wrong passcode, your iPhone will be permanently locked.
For more information, see how many passcode guesses on my iPhone.
If your iPhone is locked permanently, or you can’t remember the passcode then Apple says you must reset your phone to unlock it. A reset erases all your data so it’s best to have a backup.
Wrap up
This comprehensive guide offers various solutions to unlock the iPhone XR, especially when confronted with a forgotten or unknown passcode.
Techniques explored range from leveraging recovery mode, utilizing iTunes or Finder, resorting to Find My iPhone via iCloud, to harnessing specialized software tools like LockWiper.
It’s essential for users to distinguish between the multiple types of passcodes available, such as the Screen Time passcode.
You can unlock the passcode on your locked iPhone XR easily using the steps provided previously in this guide. This will unlock the lock screen.
