iPhone 8/8+ – Forgot PIN Password – What to Do

Using PIN locking is a useful security measure as it helps you stop worrying about others prying into your private conversations.

If your phone gets PIN-locked, it can still be reset and resold. If you store your banking data on your cell phone, PIN locking can ensure that nobody can break into your account. You also won’t have to worry about massive phone bills or any breaches of privacy if your phone gets lost.

However, remembering your PIN password is an additional responsibility you have to take on. If it slips your mind, you have to reset your phone before you can use it. With the iPhone 8 and 8+, you get six tries before your phone locks down. After this, you’ll see a message telling you that your device is disabled.

What should you do next?

Resetting Your Phone

When you’re locked out, the only way to activate your phone is to remove all your data and settings. Again, this measure protects all the sensitive information that you keep stored on your smartphone. Once you go through with the reset, your phone will be back to the way it was when you first started to use it.

It’s easy to go through this reset via iTunes, but you need a computer that you’ve synced with your phone before. If you don’t have a device that you’ve used to sync with your iPhone, you may need to enter your PIN password to go through the resetting process. In this case, you can use recovery mode instead.

Using iTunes to Reset Your Phone

Follow these steps to remove the PIN lock from your iPhone 8/8+ and delete the data and settings.

1. Connect to a Computer You’ve Used for Syncing Before

You can use a USB cable to establish a connection between your devices. Once you’ve connected your phone, open the iTunes app on your computer. This is a native app on Apple computers, but PC users need to download it before they sync their devices.

2. Wait for the Backup to Complete

With this method, you don’t have to worry about losing your photos, downloads, music, or any other data you keep on your iPhone 8. All your contacts will be backed up as well.

3. On Your Computer, Select “Restore iPhone 8”

This will begin the resetting process.

4. Select “Restore from iTunes Backup”

Choose the most recent backup you’ve made for this device.

Using Recovery Mode

Here’s another way you can make it past PIN locking. This method results in some data loss, but you can complete it using any computer.

Take the following steps, in this order:

1. Connect your iPhone 8/8+ to the Computer (Again, your computer will need to have iTunes. You can download it for free if you need to)

2. Briefly Press Volume Up

3. Briefly Press Volume Down

4. Press and Hold the Side Button (This button combination takes you to recovery mode)

5. Select Restore

The resetting process will begin. If it takes too long, you might have to re-enter recovery mode by repeating steps 2, 3, and 4.

A Final Word

Going through with all this is time-consuming, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll retain all of your data if you have to use recovery mode. Hence, it’s a good idea to prevent this issue. Even if you’re sure of your memorization skills, you should write your password down and store it in a safe place where you can find it if you’re in a hurry.