Note (October 2026): An earlier version said TunesKit iPhone Unlocker could help retrieve data from an iPhone with a broken screen. Its unlock process erases the iPhone, so data can only come back from an existing backup.
TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a paid Windows and Mac program that removes an iPhone passcode, Touch ID or Face ID lock by erasing the device and reinstalling firmware. It does not keep your data. Apple offers free alternatives that also erase the iPhone: the lock-screen reset on iOS 15.2 or later, and recovery mode on a computer.
Key Takeaways
- TunesKit iPhone Unlocker removes screen locks by erasing the iPhone; it cannot recover data from a locked phone.
- Apple’s lock-screen reset (iOS 15.2 or later) and recovery mode do the same job for free.
- As of October 2026, TunesKit listed a 1-month license at $34.95.
- Removing a screen lock does not remove Activation Lock on a second-hand iPhone.
- A backup made before the lockout is the only way to get your data back.
Did you just forget your iPhone password? Did your Face ID suddenly fail to work? Did your iPhone get disabled due to several failed attempts to unlock the screen? Is your Touch ID not working properly?
Is your iPhone screen unresponsive or broken? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, there are several ways to get back into the iPhone, although almost all of them erase it. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a paid desktop program for Windows and Mac that removes iPhone lock screens. Apple’s own free recovery methods cover the same situations, and both routes erase the device.
We understand how frustrating it can be when you fail to remember your iPhone password. Without the passcode, messages, photos and other personal data stay locked. Apple states that resetting a forgotten passcode erases the data on the iPhone, so an existing iCloud or computer backup is the only way to get that data back afterwards.
This guide covers what TunesKit iPhone Unlocker says it does, how its unlock process works, and the free methods Apple provides for the same situations.
Important Features of TunesKit iPhone Unlocker
TunesKit lists the following scenarios and lock types on its product page.
- Unlocks iPhone password from different scenarios.
- iPhone gets locked or disabled.
- You forget your iPhone passcode.
- iPhone gets disabled due to multiple wrong attempts.
- Broken iPhone screen.
- Second-hand iPhone (a screen lock is separate from Activation Lock, which still needs the previous owner’s Apple Account).
- Unresponsive iPhone screen.
- When your FaceID is not recognized.
- The passcode is set by someone else intentionally.
- Touch ID is not working.
Removes all sorts of lock screens on iOS devices.
- 4-digit or 6-digit passcode.
- Custom alphanumeric passcode.
- Custom numeric code.
- Face ID
- Touch ID.
- Supports a wide range of iOS versions and iPhone models; as of October 2026, TunesKit’s product page advertised iOS 27 support.
- Factory reset iPhone without iTunes or passcode.
- Removes the screen lock types listed above; results depend on the device model and iOS version.
- User-friendly design makes unlocking easy.
- Software updates, according to the vendor; update terms depend on the license chosen.
Circumstances when your iPhone can get locked
Knowing the situations in which an iPhone can become locked helps you choose between Apple’s free recovery options and paid tools like TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.
When the iPhone screen has broken
A badly cracked iPhone screen can stop responding to touch, which makes it impossible to enter the password. But in case of emergency reasons, you might find it important to retrieve data from your phone.
TunesKit iPhone Unlocker cannot retrieve data from a locked iPhone with a broken screen: like Apple’s recovery mode, its unlock process erases the device. Data can be recovered only from an iCloud or computer backup made before the damage.
When you have locked yourself out of your iPhone
Repeated wrong passcode entries lock the iPhone and bring up an iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen. If the correct passcode cannot be remembered, every option Apple documents involves erasing the device.
On iOS 15.2 or later, Apple lets you erase the iPhone straight from the lock screen if Find My was turned on and the phone has a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Recovery mode on a computer and tools such as the one from TunesKit are the alternatives. Afterwards, choose a passcode you can remember but others cannot guess.
When your iPhone screen has become unresponsive
Almost every iPhone user has had a moment when their iPhone screen failed to respond properly. This is yet another irritating issue that arises out of nowhere. An unresponsive touchscreen is not always a lock problem: it can come from a software freeze or from hardware damage. An unlock tool helps only when the iPhone has to be erased and set up again because it cannot be unlocked.
When your password has been unintentionally changed
Many iPhone users at some point forget a newly set passcode or enter the wrong one too many times. This is one of the easiest ways of getting locked out of your phone. Because the passcode protects the data on an iPhone, the only way back in without it is to erase the device.
The main options are Apple’s lock-screen reset, recovery mode on a computer, and third-party tools such as TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.
How TunesKit iPhone Unlocker Works
TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is one of several paid desktop tools that remove iPhone screen locks. For a forgotten passcode, it does the same job as Apple’s free recovery mode, but it guides the user through each step.
The tool is designed to simplify removing a screen lock: once the iPhone is connected and placed in DFU or recovery mode, it downloads firmware and erases the device, which removes a 4- or 6-digit passcode, Touch ID or Face ID. The video below shows the process.
Let’s take a quick look at the steps that you should take to unlock your iPhone with TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.
Connect the iPhone to the PC
First, connect the iPhone to a Windows PC or Mac with a cable that charges the phone. The next step would be to launch the TunesKit iPhone Unlocker software and let it automatically detect the phone.
Put the iPhone into a DFU mode
Follow the on-screen guide to place your iPhone into DFU mode. If DFU mode does not work, put the iPhone into recovery mode instead.
Download and install firmware
The next step is to click on the ‘download’ tab and the app will install the firmware package for you. However, before you do this, you should check the details of the device which should match with your device. If any detail is wrong, correct it manually before downloading.
Click on Unlock
TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will begin the process of unlocking the iPhone as soon as the firmware package has been downloaded. You should note that the current data will be deleted and if you want to retain the data, you have to back up all data before unlocking.
If you are locked out of an iPhone, start with Apple’s free lock-screen reset or recovery mode; a paid tool such as the TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is an alternative for people who prefer a guided desktop process.
Free Ways Apple Provides to Unlock a Locked iPhone
Apple offers two free official methods for a forgotten iPhone passcode. Both erase the iPhone, exactly as TunesKit iPhone Unlocker does, so the result is the same: a clean device that can be restored from a backup.
Erase the iPhone from the lock screen (iOS 15.2 or later)
According to Apple Support, an iPhone can be reset without a computer if it runs iOS 15.2 or later, Find My was turned on, the phone has a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, and you know the Apple Account and its password.
- Keep entering the passcode until the iPhone Unavailable screen appears.
- On iOS 17 or later, tap Forgot Passcode?, then tap Start iPhone Reset on the Security Lockout screen. Earlier versions show an Erase iPhone option instead.
- Enter the Apple Account password to sign out of the account on the device.
- Tap Erase iPhone, which permanently deletes all data and settings.
- When the iPhone restarts, set it up again, restore from a backup if you have one, and choose a new passcode.
Restore the iPhone with recovery mode on a computer
Apple’s computer method needs a Mac or Windows PC, a cable that charges the iPhone, an internet connection and, according to Apple, up to 60 minutes. Apple states plainly that this process erases the data currently on the iPhone.
- iPhone models with Face ID, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation): connect the cable, then hold the side button and keep holding it while the Apple logo appears, until the recovery mode screen shows.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus: hold the volume down button instead.
- iPhone 6s and earlier: hold the Home button instead.
On a Mac, open Finder, select the iPhone and choose Restore when offered Restore or Update. On a Windows PC, use the Apple Devices app and choose Restore. If these steps fail, Apple directs users to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
TunesKit iPhone Unlocker vs. Apple’s Free Methods
| Feature | TunesKit iPhone Unlocker | Apple lock-screen reset | Apple recovery mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Paid license (1 month listed at $34.95 as of October 2026) | Free | Free |
| Needs a computer | Yes (Windows or Mac) | No | Yes (Mac or Windows PC) |
| Needs Find My and an internet connection on the iPhone | No | Yes | No |
| Erases iPhone data | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum iOS version | Varies by feature; see the vendor page | iOS 15.2 | Not limited by iOS version |
| Extra features | Apple ID, Screen Time and MDM removal modes, according to the vendor | None | None |
Does Unlocking an iPhone Remove Activation Lock?
Removing a screen lock does not remove Activation Lock. Apple describes Activation Lock as a feature designed to prevent anyone else from using an iPhone if it is lost or stolen, and says that even after a remote erase, Activation Lock continues to deter anyone from reactivating the device without the owner’s permission.
This matters most for a second-hand iPhone. A phone that is still linked to the previous owner’s Apple Account cannot simply be reactivated by a new owner, so the buyer needs the previous owner to remove the device from their account. Before buying a used phone, check the points in this guide to what to check before buying a used iPhone.
What to Know Before Using Any iPhone Unlocker
- Your data will be erased. Neither Apple’s methods nor TunesKit iPhone Unlocker keep the data on a locked iPhone. Only a backup made earlier can bring it back.
- Use it only on your own device. Screen-lock tools are meant for owners who are locked out; Activation Lock still protects a phone that belongs to someone else.
- Try the free route first. If the iPhone runs iOS 15.2 or later, has Find My on and is online, the lock-screen reset needs no software at all.
- Check the license. TunesKit sells paid licenses with different durations; confirm what is included before paying.
For related iPhone problems, see how to unlock a disabled iPhone without iTunes, how to fix an iPhone stuck in a boot loop, and the review of TunesKit iOS System Recovery. To create a new password that is hard to guess, the secure password generator can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TunesKit iPhone Unlocker delete data?
Yes. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker erases the iPhone when it removes the screen lock, and the unlock steps above note that current data will be deleted. Data can be restored afterwards only from an existing iCloud or computer backup.
Can I unlock my iPhone for free without TunesKit?
Yes. Apple provides two free methods: erasing the iPhone from the lock screen on iOS 15.2 or later (Find My on, an internet connection and the Apple Account password needed), and restoring the iPhone in recovery mode with a Mac or Windows PC.
Is there a way to unlock an iPhone without losing data?
Not without the passcode. Apple states that resetting a forgotten passcode erases the data on the iPhone, so the only way to keep the data is to remember the passcode or restore from a backup after the reset.
Does TunesKit iPhone Unlocker work on Windows and Mac?
Yes. As of October 2026, TunesKit offered TunesKit iPhone Unlocker for both Windows and Mac computers.
Will an iPhone unlocker remove Activation Lock on a used iPhone?
Removing a screen lock does not remove Activation Lock. According to Apple, Activation Lock continues to deter reactivation without the owner’s permission even after an erase, so the previous owner needs to remove the device from their Apple Account.
