Question
My 6 years old son’s iPhone says ‘iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes”, he asked me for help, but we don’t have a computer. Can we still fix this?
This was a question on the Apple discussion platform, which is filled with various types of iDevice issues, and for a while now it has been a bone of contention. However, you don't need to worry as this article will take a look at how to fix this problem quickly. Keep reading.
Comparison Table
| Method | Find My App | iCloud | WooTechy iDelock | iTunes |
| Success Rate | High | High | High | Medium |
| Difficulty of Operation | Easy | Easy | Easy | Difficult |
| Computer Required | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Time Required | 15-20 Min | 15-20 Min | 10-15 Min | 20-25 Min |
| Apple ID Password | Required | Required | No | No |
Part 1. Why Does iPhone Get Disabled?
The reason why iPhone becomes disabled is the wrong passcode has been entered more than 10 times. Entering the wrong passcode could be a result of forgetting your passcode or unintentionally operating your iPhone in the pocket. It could also be done by someone else for a reason only they know. Irrespective of the reason, once the passcode is entered wrongly on the device 10 times consecutively, the in-built powerful security system of iPhone will kick in and the message "iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes" will be displayed on the screen of your iPhone.
The security system of the iPhone doesn't just display this message at once. It gives you several trials to get it right after some attempts.
After 5 consecutive wrong attempts, it displays "iPhone is disabled, try again in 1 minute".
After 7 consecutive wrong attempts, it displays "iPhone is disabled, try again in 5 minutes".
After 8 consecutive wrong attempts, it displays "iPhone is disabled, try again in 15 minutes".
After 9 consecutive wrong attempts, it displays "iPhone is disabled, try again in 60 minutes".
After 10 consecutive wrong attempts, it displays "iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes" or if self-destruct mode is turned on, the device will wipe itself.
Part 2. How to Fix "iPhone Is Disabled Connect to iTunes" Issue Without Computer
1. Fix Disabled iPhone Without Computer via Find My App
The Find My app is a combination of the Find My iPhone app and the Find My Friends app, and it helps you find whatever you are looking for. They were merged by Apple in iOS 13 and iPadOS 13. It works similarly to the Find My Friends and Find My iPhone apps, but it has the advantage of allowing you to find and erase your lost devices when necessary.
If you own another Apple device or anyone around you owns an iOS, then you can get past the "iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes" screen with the Find My App without a computer. To be able to use this method, you need to have the Apple ID and password of the account that is on the locked device. The steps for using this method include
Open the Find My app on the other iOS device.
Tap "Me" then scroll down the page and tap "Help a Friend".
Since it is a different device, the Apple ID may not be the same as the one you want to unlock. If this is the case, tap "Use a different Apple ID" then log the account in.
When you are logged in, tap "Devices" and then scroll down and select the iPhone you want to unlock from the list of devices.
Scroll down and then tap "Erase This Device". Then to proceed tap "Continue".
You can access your iPhone and set it up when the process is done.
2. Fix iPhone Showing Connect to iTunes Without Computer via iCloud
When you visit Apple's iCloud website, you can make use of the Find My iPhone service on the website. This service allows you to locate your iPhone and then erase it to unlock it. You can easily bypass the "iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes" screen without using a computer with this service. The steps involved include
Visit www.iCloud.com on your browser.
Log the Apple ID that is associated with the iPhone you want to unlock.
Go to the "Find iPhone" tab, and then select it.
Then tap "All Devices" and choose the iPhone with the disabled screen.
From the options that will come up, choose "Erase iPhone".
Then tap "Erase" on the confirmation screen if you are sure that it what you want.
Then re-enter the passcode of the Apple ID to confirm.
The iPhone with the disabled screen should be linked to your iCloud account and Find My iPhone feature should also be enabled on the iPhone.
You must have the Apple ID and passcode of your iCloud account.
The iPhone must be connected via cellular data or Wi-Fi to any network.
Make sure that you have your phone content backed up because immediately you click "Erase", all the content and settings of your iPhone will be wiped out. Similarly, if you can not remember the previous passcode, do not restore the backup.
Part 3. How to Unlock iPhone That Is Disabled and Shows Connect to iTunes with Computer
1. Effectively Unlock Disabled iPhone with WooTechy iDelock
The WooTechy iDelock is a professional iOS unlocker. This all-in-one software can help you easily bypass screen passcode, Apple ID/iCloud account passcode, Screen Time passcode and MDM lock.
Great Features of WooTechy iDelock
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Without any password, it would remove the screen lock, Apple ID lock, Screen Time lock and MDM profile easily and quickly.
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It can reset your iPhone to factory settings without any password.
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It is an user-friendly program with a high success rate.
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It is compatible with all iPhone models and iOS versions, including the iPhone 13 and iOS 15.
The steps to unlock the disabled iPhone using iDelock are:
Select the "Unlock Screen Passcode" mode after launching WooTechy iDelock.
Use a USB cable to connect your device to your PC, then click "Next" and it will begin loading your information. If it cannot detect your device, you can manually put your device into DFU/Recovery mode to make it detected.
Your device will be auto-detected by the program, then choose the provided firmware and click on "Download". If it doesn't download, to download it via a browser by clicking "Copy". If you already have the firmware package downloaded on your PC, to add it by clicking "Select".
After a successful verification, click "Start to Unlock" for the process to begin. You'll see a pop-up window. Ensure that you read the notice carefully, then click "Unlock".
The lock will be removed by the program in a few minutes. Please wait patiently.
2. Unlock Disabled iPhone via iTunes
Since the iPhone is disabled and you can not open it using passcode, you can restore the iPhone to the factory settings and thus regain the access to the device. However, this method will erase all your data and you can not restore the backup if you forgot the screen passcode. To do this,
Launch iTunes on your PC and then connect your iPhone to the PC with a USB cable.
Then put your iPhone in Recovery mode by following the steps below.
- If you are using an iPhone 8 or later, Press the Volume Up button and release it quickly and also repeat the same thing for the Volume Down button. Then press the Power button and hold it until the recovery mode screen shows.
- If you are using an iPhone 7/7 Plus, press the Power button and Volume Downbutton together until the recovery mode screen appears.
- If you are using an iPhone 6s or earlier, press the Power button and Home button at the same time until you see the recovery mode screen.
Then you'll see a pop-up window, click on "Restore".
At the end of the process, your iPhone will return to factory settings and you can follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fixing Disabled iPhone
1: How Do You Undisable A iPhone that Says Connect to iTunes Without A Computer?
There are several ways to undisable the iPhone that says connect to iTunes without a computer. You could use the Find My app, the iCloud website, the WooTechy iDelock software, and the iTunes restoration.
2: How Can I Restore My iPhone Without iTunes or Computer?
To do this, on another device, visit iCloud.com then log in to the Apple ID that is on the disabled device. When it is logged in, go to "Find iPhone > All Devices". Then select the target device and choose Erase iPhone.
3: How Do I Factory Reset My iPhone with Buttons?
Unfortunately, there is no way to factory reset your iPhone with buttons. You can only perform an hard reset by following the same steps of entering recovery mode mentioned above. However, remember to release the buttons as soon as you see the Apple logo.
Conclusion
With all the methods listed above, you can avoid technology-induced fear or heartache if your iPhone ever gets disabled and you are not within reach of your computer or don't have one. However, the WooTechy iDelock is the most favorable method because it doesn't require a tech wiz to operate, and it has a high success rate and the great compatibility with iOS 15. Just download and give it a try!
