Why won't my iPhone accept my passcode after a restart?
Answer
This usually means either the passcode is being entered slightly wrong, or the phone has triggered a security delay after several incorrect attempts. Waiting out any lockout timer and entering the passcode slowly and carefully most often resolves it.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Erasing the iPhone removes any data created after the last backup, and all data if no backup exists.
- Never pay a third-party service or share your Apple ID credentials with someone claiming they can bypass the passcode without an official restore.
Follow these steps
Wait out any security delay
If the screen shows a message such as 'iPhone Unavailable' with a timer, wait for the timer to finish completely before trying again; entering the code during the countdown does not work.
You should see: The passcode entry screen becomes available again once the timer ends.
Enter the passcode slowly and carefully
Type each digit deliberately, double-checking for a recently changed passcode versus an old one you may be remembering out of habit.
You should see: The phone unlocks, or shows the same or a longer delay if it is still incorrect.
Check for a longer lockout
After repeated incorrect attempts, the delay can extend to an hour or more, or eventually require an erase; read the exact message on screen carefully.
You should see: You know whether more attempts remain or the phone requires an erase to continue.
Restore using a computer if the passcode is truly lost
Connect the iPhone to a computer with Finder or iTunes, and use the official erase-and-restore option, which requires the phone to not be actively locked to a different Apple ID.
You should see: The phone erases and restores from the most recent backup, prompting for a new passcode.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether the screen shows a 'try again in X minutes' style message, or simply rejects the code with no timer.
Before you change anything: Confirm whether the phone shows a countdown timer before allowing another attempt. Check when the phone was last backed up to the cloud or a computer. Confirm you are using the official Apple support site or Finder or iTunes on a trusted computer, not a third-party unlock tool. Never share your Apple ID password or passcode with anyone offering to unlock it for you.