How To Unlock iPhone When Screen Is Broken

Apple / By / June 25, 2024

Unlocking iPhone with Broken Screen: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dealing with a cracked or shattered iPhone screen can be frustrating, especially if you’re locked out of your device due to the damage. But fear not! In this article, we’ll walk you through a series of steps on how to unlock an iPhone when its screen is broken.

Before You Begin:

Before attempting to unlock your iPhone with a broken screen, ensure that:

  1. Your phone is connected to power: Make sure your device has at least 30% battery life remaining or plug it into a power source.
  2. You acquire the necessary tools: A computer (Windows/Mac), USB cable, and iTunes software are required for this process.

Method 1: Recovery Mode

One of the most straightforward methods to unlock an iPhone with a broken screen is by using Recovery Mode.

  1. Put your phone into DFU mode: To do so:
    • Press and hold the Power button until it turns off.
    • Connect your device to the computer via USB cable while still holding down on the Power button for 3 seconds.
  2. Open iTunes on your computer, ensuring that it’s set up with your iPhone’s account information (username and password).
  3. Select “Restore iPhone”: Once connected and in DFU mode, you’ll see an option to restore or update your device.

After selecting the Restore option:

  1. Let iTunes complete the process:
    • Follow the on-screen instructions until recovery mode takes over.
    1. This may take several minutes; be patient!
  2. Unlock your iPhone: Once restored, eject and disconnect your phone from the computer.

Voilà! You now have a fully functional iPhone with a repaired screen (you can visit an Apple Store or authorized repair center to fix this). If you encounter any issues during restoration or want assistance for further troubleshooting, our team is here to help!

Method 2: iTunes Restore

In case your device won’t go into DFU mode or you’d prefer not to use it, the traditional way using iTunes might be more suitable.

  1. Connect iPhone and computer: Link your broken iPhone to a computer via USB.
  2. Launch iTunes on Mac/PC:
    • If asked for username and password, ensure these credentials match those used when setting up your device initially.
  3. Click “Backup” then select the latest backup: You can do this from either:
    • Your computer’s File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac): Find the folder where you prevoiusly stored backups.
  4. Choose “Restore Backup” and follow prompts until completion:

  5. Unlock your iPhone: Disconnect and eject your device once finished.

Note: In both cases above, please make sure that:

  1. You’re using the same iTunes account credentials for restoration.
  2. Your computer’s File Explorer/Finder has permission to access your backups (e.g., if you used iCloud or Dropbox storage).

Additional Tips & Troubleshooting

  • If no backup is available: Create a new, fully functional iPhone backup after restoring and connecting it to the internet.

For users experiencing issues during the restore process:

  1. Ensure that your device has enough battery life before proceeding (if necessary).
  2. Disconnect any non-essential peripherals connected via USB or Bluetooth.
  3. Check iTunes settings for compatibility mode (some devices may need this enabled).
  4. Reboot your computer, then restart the restoration process.

By following these comprehensive steps and utilizing one of our recommended methods – either Recovery Mode or iTunes Restore – you’ll successfully unlock your iPhone with a broken screen!

Keep in mind that if your device is heavily damaged, it might still require professional assistance for proper repair. Stay safe when working near cracked screens!

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