“iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes”: How to deal with this issue?
Your iPhone comes with optimal security measures to protect your data. The screen lock is the first layer of protection against people who want to breach your phone. But it may sometimes work as a disadvantage. In some cases, it may end up disabling your phone if you make multiple attempts to enter the correct passcode.
Now, if you’re facing this issue, you surely want a solution as soon as possible. Here, you can find some simple ways to gain back access to your iPhone.
How does your iPhone get disabled?
Forgotten passwords or patterns are the most common reason behind disabled iPhones. So, if you think you can’t remember the right one, don’t make any further attempts. After all, doing that would disable your device for a more extended period. Instead, you should connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC and find a solution. We are going to discuss how you can proceed further.
Sometimes, a wrong password may get entered when the device is in your pocket. In such cases, you just need to wait until the disability period is over. And if you have entered the wrong passcode 10 times then the iPhone will show a message, “ iPhone is disabled. Connect to iTunes”. In that case, continue to read till the end to understand how you must proceed in case your iPhone is locked.
How do you fix the “iPhone is disabled” problem?
Since your phone is locked, you can’t use it to solve the problem. So, you need to connect it to your Windows or Mac device.
Did your laptop fail to detect the connection?
In that case, consider reaching out to professional Laptops and MacBook Repairs for help. Also, you might need to use an adapter for stabilizing the connection.
Once you’re done, you need to restore the backed-up data in your iPhone. For that, you can use either Finder or iTunes, depending on the system version. After you’ve connected the devices, proceed with one of the following solutions:
1) Restore the data using iTunes
If you are using one of the older Mac versions, then, you probably have backed up your iPhone’s data using iTunes, which will come in handy while you proceed to unlock your iPhone. Also, you can get this application on your Windows device as well.
Open iTunes
With the iPhone connected to the device, find and open the iTunes app. If you face any issue with the connection, then, make sure you’ve connected the cable properly. You can try connecting through Wi-Fi if the problem continues.
Find your iPhone
You can find your device in the upper-left corner on the screen in iTunes. A common issue faced commonly at this step is unable to find their device among connected devices. You must ensure that the device is not switched off. Then click the mobile icon and try finding your device once again.
Restore the backup
For the restoration, you need to go to the Summary section given under your device. There, you’ll find the option to backup or restore your iPhone. So, choose the latter and wait until the process completes. Try accessing your iPhone after you’re done. This time, you don’t have to enter any password or pattern for doing that.
{Caution: If the last backup wasn’t a very recent one, you might lose quite a lot of data. So, make sure to back up your phone data regularly from now on.}
2) Restore the backup from Finder
The Finder is another viable option in Mac devices for taking a backup of your important data. You can use it to restore your disabled iPhone anytime. For that, you can use either a USB or a wireless connection. But, our suggestion would be USB as it is more stable.
Open Finder
After you’ve connected the devices, open the Finder app. It works pretty much the same way as iTunes.
Find and select your iPhone
You might see a list of various devices at the top-left corner of the app. Find and select your iPhone to proceed and restore your iPhone. You’ll see multiple tabs on your device’s screen.
Restore the data
To proceed with this step, select the General tab. There, you’ll find the option to create as well as restore backups. So, restore the latest data that you have backed up and wait while it completes the process. Also, follow the instructions your Mac shows you on the screen.
3) Use iCloud to restore your data
Habit of regular backing-up data can very well save you in these types of cases.
You can now easily restore your data from iCloud, and all you need is a stable internet connection. So, here’s how you must proceed:
Sign in to iCloud
First, you must sign in to your iCloud account to be able to restore data from it.
Erase previous data
Go to the Find My iPhone feature on the site and select your device. You need to remove all its data for restoring a backup. So, select the Erase iPhone option to do that.
Restore the backup
After you’ve removed all precious data, restart your phone. It’ll give you the option to restore backup from iCloud. Proceed with that and follow the instructions you see on the screen. By the end of this process, you should be able to access your iPhone.
{Note: Your phone should have a stable internet connection to proceed with this method. Also, you must remember the passwords of the encrypted backups, if there are any.}
Read also: Common MacBook Problems and their Solutions, MacBook Hacks We Gurantee You don’t Know
What if you can’t follow these solutions?
In many cases, users fail to connect with iTunes or have failed to maintain a regular backup of their data. So, if that applies to your case, you must approach Apple’s customer service for a solution. They can help you with unlocking your iPhone for sure. Furthermore, a professional is always beneficial rather than trying out complex methods all by yourself.