7 Ways to Fix “Correct Passcode Not Working on iPhone”

by Aria Ford

Updated on 2024-12-06

5min read

“Hi, My iPhone is rejecting my passcode despite entering the correct one. It keeps saying incorrect passcode entered. Why is it showing this? And how do I fix it, so I can reclaim control of my device?”

Are you faced with the same challenge as above and wondering how you could fix it? You aren’t alone, this is the right place to seek solutions. In this post, we will explore the 7 simple ways to fix iPhone passcode not working from the comfort of your home all by yourself. However before we jump into the solution, we will discuss the possible reasons why your iPhone screen passcode fails to work. Read on!

1. Reasons for Correct Passcode iPhone Not Working

Here are some of the reasons why the correct passcode isn’t working with your iPhone:

Software Glitch
Sometimes your iPhone might fail to recognize your password due to a software glitch or system malfunction. The glitch can arise from outdated OS, damaged firmware packages, and other system related issues.

Hardware Issues
Another reason you encounter iPhone passcode not working is hardware issues, such as a damaged Touch ID sensor, broken screen and several others.

Problem with your iPhone
Sometimes your device may fail to recognize your passcode due to a corrupt or damaged iOS security file. The security can’t match your entry with what was configured on it during screen passcode setup.

Wrong Passcode Entry
Wrong passcode entry is among the reasons for passcode not working on iPhone. The best thing to do for you to tackle this is to ensure you enter the correct code on your iPhone from time to time.

2. 7 Fixes for Correct Passcode Not Working on iPhone

Below, we have the 7 simple techniques to deal with iPhone passcode not working issues. Check each of the techniques and apply the instructional guide underneath:

Method 1. Try the Correct Passcode After a Few Hours

Some users online have reported that their iPhones did not accept the correct screen passcode. However, after waiting for a few hours or even a day, they were able to use the passcode to access their phones again. If you’re not in a hurry, you can try waiting as well.

Method 2. Restart iPhone

A quick system restart fixes a plethora of issues on your iPhone, from temporary glitches to internet connection issues, memory leaks, and more. It also helps in fixing iPhone passcodes not working after the correct entry. Here’s the simple procedure in restarting different models of iPhones.

iPhone with No Home Button (with iPhone 8 Inclusive):

  1. Press down the Volume Up and Side buttons at the same time.
  2. Hold both buttons until your iPhone displays an interface with three options. Drag the slider labeled Slide to Power off.
  3. Once done, your iPhone will go off. Wait a few seconds, then hold down the side button to turn on the iPhone.

Restart iPhone 8 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

For iPhone with home button: iPhone 7/7 Plus/6 and Older Models

  1. Press down the Side/Top button. 
  2. Keep holding until a screen with the Slide to power off icon and other options will come up. Kindly drag the icon to the right and your iPhone will go off.
  3. Using the same keys, you can power on the iPhone after waiting a while.

Restart iPhone 7 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Method 3. Erase iPhone with Find My on iCloud

Using the Find My feature on iCloud, you can wipe a device remotely and fix iPhone passcode not working issues conveniently without spending a dime. This solution works best on iOS devices with the Find My function enabled on it.

Here is how to erase your iPhone using the Find My on iCloud:

Step 1: Visit the official webpage for iCloud.com and hit the black Sign In icon found at the bottom of the screen displayed. Type the correct details, and click the right icon to proceed.

Erase iPhone with Find My on iCloud Step 1 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 2: Next, a notification will be directed to any of the devices linked to your Apple ID. Please, click Allow to grant permission, copy the 2FA code and enter in the space provided if required.

Step 3: Now, that you’ve successfully signed into your iCloud account, swipe down to where you have Find My and click on it.

Erase iPhone with Find My on iCloud Step 3 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 4: A screen with all the devices connected to your Apple ID will appear. Scroll through the list and click on your locked iPhone to proceed.

Erase iPhone with Find My on iCloud Step 4 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 5: Select Erase This Device and provide your Apple ID password to confirm you are the authentic owner of the account. Once done, your iPhone will be wiped and you can use it without passcode.

Erase iPhone with Find My on iCloud Step 5 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Method 4. Unlock iPhone via Passixer

Passixer iPhone Unlocker can help fix the passcode not working on iPhone issue by removing the passcode from your iPhone, so you can unlock your iOS device without passcode. Besides, it enables you to get into your locked iPhone/iPad when you meet the problems like unresponsive/broken iPhone screen won’t accept the passcode. Certainly, Passixer is a powerful tool for you to remove Apple ID without password, bypass iCloud Activation Lock without Apple ID and unlock Screen Time Restrictions without passcode.

Key Features

  • Unlock iPhone/iPad locked with forgotten 4/6 digits passcode and unworkable Face/Touch ID.
  • Remove unknown passcode from second hand iOS devices.
  • Bypass iCloud Activation Lock from iPhone/iPad without Apple ID and previous owner.
  • Get rid of MDM Restrictions to use iOS/iPadOS without others controlling.

Steps to Unlock iPhone Using Passixer

Step 1: Install and run the Passixer software on your computer. Once the quick start page opens, select Wipe Passcode.

remove iphone passcode with Passixer step 1 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Click Start when the next screen loads up. After that, connect the iPhone to your computer system using a USB cable.

Step 2: Passixer will analyze your iPhone and display some details about it on your screen. Look through the details and ensure it matches that for your device. After that, click on Start to install the firmware package to unlock the iPhone.

remove iphone passcode with Passixer step 2 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 3: After the download is completed, enter 0000 and click Unlock to proceed.

remove iphone passcode with Passixer step 3 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 4: Screen unlocking will start immediately using the newly installed firmware package. Wait till your iPhone is unlocked then you can disconnect the device from the computer and use it without hindrance.

remove iphone passcode with Passixer step 4

Method 5. Use Erase iPhone Option on Lock Screen

Here is another convenient solution to tackle iPhone passcode not working on your device. The operation can be completed directly from your iPhone itself. However, your iPhone must be running on iOS 15.2 or later versions and you have the Apple ID details linked to it, use the steps below to wipe the device and reclaim control of the lock screen:

  1. Enter the wrong passcode on your iPhone until you find the security lockout screen.
  2. At the bottom of the screen shown, tap on the Erase iPhone button.
  3. Next, your device will display an interface showing the consequences of using the Erase iPhone option. If you don’t mind losing your data, click Erase iPhone again.
  4. Now, enter the password to the Apple ID shown and your iPhone will wipe immediately.

Erase iPhone Option on Lock Screen | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Method 6. Restore iPhone Through iTunes

When you restore your iPhone using iTunes, the device is automatically wiped and the OS is repaired in the process. Before using this solution to fix iPhone passcodes not working, it’s best you create a backup of all the data on your device to avoid data loss.

Use the simple illustrations below to restore your iPhone via iTunes:

Step 1: Open the iTunes app on your computer. Ensure the app version is the most recent one so the process can go smoothly. Once done, grab the locked iPhone and put it in recovery mode using any one of the following guides that suits your iPhone model:

iPhone 8/X and Later models

  1. Press down the Volume Up key and release.
  2. Hold down the Volume Down button too and release it also.
  3. Now, press down the Side button. Keep holding until you have the recovery mode screen on your iPhone.

iPhone 7/7 Plus

  1. Press down the Volume Down and Power buttons together at the same time.
  2. Continue holding down the aforementioned buttons until the recovery mode logo appears.

iPhone 6/6 S and Earlier models

  1. Hold down both the Home button and Power button together simultaneously.
  2. Release both keys when you see the recovery mode screen.

Restore iPhone Through iTunes Step 1 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 2: While still holding the last key from the recovery mode process, connect the iPhone to your computer using a USB cable to establish the connection with iTunes. When the iTunes app detects your iPhone is connected in recovery mode, it will suggest that you restore or update your device. Click Restore.

Restore iPhone Through iTunes Step 2 | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 3: Click on the Restore icon again to erase your iPhone and fix the correct passcodes not working on your iPhone.

Method 7. Reset iPhone with Find My App

If you can access to another Apple device, either from a friend, a family member or an Apple Store, you can use its Find My app to remove your iPhone’s screen passcode and set a new one. However, please note that removing the screen lock will wipe all your personal data and settings from your iDevice. Once you’ve confirmed that the iPhone’s Find My feature is enabled, follow the steps below to try this method.

Step 1: Launch Find My app on another reliable iPhone, iPad or Mac(iPhone is taken as an example here).

Step 2: Switch to Me tab and tap Help a Friend. Next, hit Use a different Apple Account.

tap Use a different Apple Account | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 3: Sign into iCloud with the Apple ID used on your own iPhone.

Step 4: Select your iPhone from the device list and hit Erase This Device. Follow the onscreen steps to complete the erasing process.

erase iPhone in Find My app | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Tip: If you have a trusted device signed in with your Apple ID, simply open the Find My app, select Devices, and then choose your iPhone to restore it.

erase iPhone in trusted device | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

3. Fixed: iPhone Passcode Not Working for Apple ID Password Reset

In the newer iOS versions, you can use your screen passcode in the Settings app to change or reset your Apple ID password, which is very convenient, especially if you’ve forgotten your Apple ID password. However, some users have reported that when attempting to reset their Apple ID password, the screen passcode they entered is incorrectly recognized. In other words, the iPhone does not accept the correct screen passcode. If you encounter this issue, try restarting your iPhone. If the problem persists, try the solutions below to reset your Apple ID password without the phone passcode, depending on your situation.

Fix 1. Reset Apple ID Password on Another Trusted Device

If you remember your original Apple ID password and just want to set a new one, you can update your password on a trusted device(below is an example using a Mac).

Step 1: Click the Apple icon in the top pane and choose System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

choose System Preferences | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 2: Select Apple ID in the shown window.

click Apple ID | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 3: In the sidebar, choose Password & Security. Then, click Change Password in the right section.

click Change Password | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 4: Enter your device passcode and hit Allow.

Step 5: Type a new password twice and hit Change to save it.

hit Change | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Fix 2. Reset Apple ID Password via Apple Site

If you forget your Apple ID password and don’t have a trusted device, you can reset your password on the web. Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: Go to iforgot.apple.com and click Reset Password.

click Reset Password on Apple web | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 2: Input your Apple ID and enter the provided code.

enter Apple ID | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Step 3: Choose to reset the password through emails or security questions. Then, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the password reset job.

reset Apple ID password with emails | Correct Passcode Not Working iPhone

Note: If you have enabled 2FA for your Apple ID, the trusted device is necessary for your password reset.

Final Words

Correct passcode not working is a problem you will likely face as an iPhone user. So when you experience such, panicking isn’t the next thing. Instead, use the solutions provided in this post to unlock your iPhone when it doesn’t accept your passcode. We’ve introduced 7 stress-free solutions you can use to fix your iPhone passcode not working. However, Passixer is our preferred option to reclaim control of your iPhone. The software unlocks your device without a hitch.

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