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Does iPhone Erase After 10 Attempts?

Discover the consequences of multiple incorrect passcode entries on your iPhone.

Before unlocking your locked iPhone, knowing the number of attempts allowed is important. Ignoring this limit and continuing with multiple tries could result in a longer lockout period. Therefore, it is necessary to stop yourself from making multiple failed attempts before you find out whether iPhone does erase itself after 10 attempts or not. If you have already exceeded this limit, we can help you learn an effective restoration method for unlocking your device.

Does iPhone Erase After 10 Attempts?

Does iPhone Erase After 10 Attempts?

Not by default. Your iPhone will only erase its data after 10 incorrect passcode attempts if you have enabled the Erase Data feature in your Touch ID and Passcode settings.

How Long Will iPhone Lock You Out?

When you enter the wrong passcode on your iPhone, it will temporarily lock you out to protect your data from unauthorized access.

The lockout duration increases with each successive incorrect attempt:

  • 1 to 5 incorrect attempts: No lockout
  • 6 incorrect attempts: 1-minute lockout
  • 7 incorrect attempts: 5-minute lockout
  • 8 incorrect attempts: 15-minute lockout
  • 9 incorrect attempts: 1-hour lockout

Also Read: Fix Instagram Suspicious Login Attempt

Can the Police Unlock My iPhone?

No, Apple has been committed to user privacy and has consistently refused to create a backdoor that would allow easy access to locked iPhones. The police and prosecutors cannot access your iPhone unless they have your passcode. They may obtain a search warrant, but they are not always successful.

Can an iPhone be Permanently Locked?

No, iPhone can’t be permanently locked due to incorrect passcode attempts. You can always unlock it by restring it through iTunes or other possible methods. Keep reading to find out how to do so.

How Many Wrong Attempts on iPhone Passcode?

You have a total of 10 attempts before your iPhone takes further action, depending on your settings. Also, the lockout time increases with the number of incorrect passcode attempts.

Is There a Way to See If Someone Tried to Unlock Your Phone?

No, there is not any built-in feature on iOS that allows you to see if someone attempted to unlock your iPhone. However, you can install third-party apps that take a photo or record the location of failed login attempts on your iPhone. Remember that using such apps may raise privacy concerns and may not be allowed in some regions.

Also Read: Apple to Add Smart Display Features to Locked iPhones with iOS 17

What Happens After 10 Failed Restrictions Passcode Attempts?

A restrictions passcode, also known as a Screen Time passcode, is separate from your device’s main passcode. If you fail to enter the correct restrictions passcode 10 times, your iPhone will not erase its data. Instead, you’ll have to wait for a minute before trying again. The waiting time does not increase with further failed attempts.

How Do I Unlock My iPhone After 10 Failed Attempts?

If you’ve reached the 10th failed passcode attempt and your iPhone has not been erased, you’ll have to wait for an hour before trying again. If you’ve forgotten your passcode, you’ll need to erase your device and restore it from a backup. You can do so using iTunes. Follow the steps below to achieve the same:

Note: Remember not to stop this process in the middle. If the recovery process doesn’t finish in 15 minutes, you’ll be kicked out of recovery mode automatically.

1. Firstly, open the iTunes app on your PC or laptop.

open the iTunes app on your PC or laptop |

2. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button on your iPhone.

3. Then, press and quickly release the Volume Down button.

4. Now, press and hold the Power button until the Connect to laptop icon (Restore screen) appears on the iPhone.

Note: If you use an iPhone with a Home button and have already tried 10 failed unlock attempts, press and hold the Volume Down + Home button until the Connect to laptop icon appears.

iPhone Restore screen | Does iPhone Erase After 10 Attempts

5. Then, click on the Restore option from the popup on iTunes, as shown below.

Note: By clicking this option, iTunes will clear all the settings and content, including your iPhone passcode.

click on the Restore option from the popup on iTunes |

6. Click on Restore and Update.

Click on Restore and Update |

7. Click on the Download icon to download the firmware.

Note: iTunes will restore your iPhone after finishing the download process.

Click on the Download icon to download the firmware

8. iTunes will enter the recovery mode and restore the software on your iPhone. Wait till the process is finished. 

iTunes will restore the software on your iPhone. Wait till the process is finished |

9. After your iPhone is restarted, select the desired restore options.

You will now be able to access your iPhone without a passcode or Face ID.

Also Read: How to Unlock Found Lost iPhone

By following this guide, you are now better equipped to manage your iPhone’s security settings and handle situations involving locked devices or forgotten passcodes. This marks the end of the guide about whether the iPhone erases after 10 attempts. Leave your comments & suggestions below, and keep visiting our website for more informative guides!

1 thought on “Does iPhone Erase After 10 Attempts?”

  1. My boss has an old iPhone 7 that has a completely destroyed screen. He cannot remember the PIN to unlock it regardless, and it was never connected to an iTunes account to have backed up. He’s unconcerned about being able to use the phone again, but there are irreplaceable photos still on the internal storage that he’s desperate to retrieve.

    Can the internal storage (hard drive?) in an iPhone be connected to externally in the same way you can with a desktop PC hard drive to recover the needed files? I’ve recovered files off of dead PCs via a USB adapter many times, but I have no idea what kind of adapter or interface could connect to the storage in an iPhone – and also unsure if the file structure would allow direct access that way without unlocking the phone.

    Suggestions?

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