iPhone 5 says disabled. “iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes”

Many users set a password on their Apple device to protect the files on it. But if you forget the unlock password and enter it incorrectly several times, the device protection will apply security measures and block access to activating your phone or tablet for a while.

Why does the error “Apple device is disabled or blocked, please connect to iTunes” appear?

If you use an inaccurate unlock password three times in a row, you will receive a notification that your phone or tablet is disabled, and you won't be able to try again for up to one minute.

The next time you try to enter an incorrect password, similar restrictions will be imposed, but the time before receiving a new opportunity to enter the password will constantly increase. It may get to the point where you have to wait 1-2 hours to try to enter the password again.

When the invalid input limit is completely exceeded, you will see a message asking you to connect your device to iTunes. That is, the error “Apple device is disabled or locked, connect to iTunes” is activated if you tried to unlock the device with the wrong password too many times. This situation may arise if you forget the correct password, or the children get to the phone and, while playing, exceed the limit for entering incorrect passwords.

What to do to get rid of the error and unlock your iPhone

If you have not previously created a backup copy of the data stored on the device via iTunes, then you have only one option - to select the password manually until you remember the correct one. In order not to wait each time for the device to provide access to enter the password after the next lock, you can reset the attempt counter using a computer and iTunes installed on it.

Resetting the attempt counter as a way to restore the connection

To reset the input attempt counter, you will need the iTunes that you have previously synced your device with, otherwise the following will happen:

So, if the above problem does not concern you, then follow these steps:

How to connect after restoring from a backup or resetting settings

If you have backed up all your device data in advance, you can restore it when iTunes help. But remember that your backup is also encrypted, meaning you'll need a password to use it. If you don't have backup copy, then you can also use this method, but all data stored on the device will be irretrievably lost, since settings and content will be reset.

We turn off the device, this is necessary in order to put it into recovery mode in the next steps.
We connect the USB cable to the computer, but do not connect it to the device yet.
We take the switched off device in our hands and press the “Home” button for 10–15 seconds.
Without releasing the Home button, connect the USB cable to the device.
The device should display the iTunes logo and USB adapter, this will mean that it has successfully entered recovery mode.
Open the iTunes application.
We agree with the notification that states that a device has been found in recovery mode.
Click the “Restore iPhone, iPad, iPoud touch” button.
In the notification that appears, select the “Check” option, as the second option “Cancel” will simply end the entire operation.
Confirm updating and restoring your device by clicking the appropriate button.
We go through the process of activating and setting up the device.
Done, the password is reset. You will be asked to set a new password, since it is no longer on the device; decide for yourself whether it is worth doing.

How to avoid this problem in the future

There are a few simple rules, by adhering to which you can avoid similar problems in future:

Set a password that you will remember so that it is difficult to forget, or write it down in a safe place so that no one else can find it.
Sync your device with iTunes and create a backup, which is recommended to be kept up to date to ensure you don't lose anything valuable. By doing this, you can restore your device at any time by resetting the password without losing important data.
If you have more modern model Apple devices, then start using the Touch ID feature, as it protects access to the device using your unique fingerprints, which cannot be forgotten.

If you have forgotten the password for your Apple phone or tablet, after several attempts to enter it, you will see the message “Device is disabled or locked, connect to iTunes.” There are two ways out of this situation - reset the attempt counter and try to remember the password, or reset all settings and content of the device, and then restore them using a backup copy. There are simply no other ways to bypass Apple's security system.

The modern world is full of technology. Computers, various gadgets, phones, all this was invented in order to make life easier for every person.

And with each of these gadgets it can an error occurs.

Today we will talk about a smartphone such as the iPhone. Namely, about a problem that sounds like “iPhone is disconnected, connect to iTunes.”

We will explain to you what this problem is and how to solve it in this article.

iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes what to do

So, let's first figure out what could be the reason for this inscription. The most obvious reason is that the wrong password was entered too many times. When the iPhone starts, after it starts you need to enter a password.

And then, if you enter it incorrectly too many times, namely 10 times, then the iPhone will simply require restoration using iTunes.

We will provide you with 3 ways to deal with this problem quickly and no harm to the smartphone. All three methods will be presented differently, one of them requires a program, the other does not.

First way — unlocking using the Find iPhone feature. This method gives us the opportunity to unlock the phone without the help of any programs. However, you need to remember your data, namely your Apple ID along with your access code.

The phone has many features. One of them is “Find my iPhone”. The function allows you to monitor your smartphone 24/7, as well as control all possible operations. How to unlock these methods? Launch the browser and log into your account iCloud recording.

There we select the device that needs to be reset, then reset and erase the iPhone. Everything is very simple.

Method number two —removing a password using iTunes. This method will easily help every user. If you have ever synchronized, it will be very simple. First, you need to get a connection between the computer and the phone on which the synchronization was carried out.

This will help you quickly gain access and continue actions. Then you need to launch iTunes. It may happen that the computer does not have access, then you need to use another one. Only if you have used it before.

After these steps, the program will begin synchronization and will create a backup. After creation, you will need to press the recovery key. Then a restoration is carried out from the copy in iTunes and the phone returns to its former form. However, all data will be deleted.

Third way — 4Ukey program. We launch the program and connect it to the computer using a cable. The program will then try to access the phone. After this we can remove the code. By deleting the code, we gain access to the phone.

Remember that it should have the most latest firmware, because then the program will contact well. The update will be downloaded, after which you will need to click on restore. This whole process will then take a few minutes.

Eventually this method came to an end. We see that full access appears on the screen and now we can do whatever we want.

We have described three methods for you, all of them most effective and will help you deal with your problem quickly and, most importantly, for free. Backups are created to ensure that the phone has memory left in case it crashes.

That is, it is advisable for you to create a backup copy when necessary so that no problems. In the future, remember this, because you can’t do without it.

This concludes our article. In it you were presented three easy methods how to get out of this situation. If you did everything correctly, then everything will work out and in the future you will know how to deal with the problem. Remember also that everything always depends on you.

Next time, don't click so many wrong options. Better sit down and remember carefully what the password is. This is the only way you can cope with the problem and solve it quickly. Also, take care of your phone.

Who knows what might happen, especially with phones like the iPhone. They are very expensive and quite fragile. No one can protect you from unforeseen situations. In the article, we explained to you in detail the steps and actions if you encounter a problem, the solution to which is not so difficult.

The situation can be sorted out easily if you handle it well. This is the only way you will be able to cope with the problem with a bang. We've discussed every possible topic in this article, so you'll have to figure it out on your own.

If something doesn’t work out, then read each step again and carefully. Maybe you made a minor mistake because of which everything is happening. It is advisable that you yourself understand where you did it.

We wish you never to encounter problems in the future and enjoy life as much as possible!

If you enter the wrong password several times, the smartphone will be locked and a notification will appear on the screen: iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes. How to fix the problem depends on whether you can remember the code or find the location where it was saved.

Solution methods

No. 1: remembered/found the password

Connect your phone using a cable to the computer on which iTunes is installed. A window will appear on the PC screen in which you need to select “Synchronize”. Let the process begin, but after 10-15 seconds we will interrupt it by clicking on the cross next to the status bar. This will reset the password attempt counter. You will have from 6 to 10 attempts to enter the code correctly.

No. 2: the password is lost forever

In this case, there are two possible solutions to the problem:

A backup was created in advance via iTunes. In this case, you need to restore from such a backup. The data that was downloaded to the device after the backup was created will be lost. Connect your phone to your PC via cable. In iTunes, follow the path “File” => “Devices” => “Restore from Backup”. In the window, select a previously created backup and confirm the restoration.
There are no backups. All information on the device will be deleted. Turn off the phone completely - press the power button for 5 seconds. Connect the phone via a cable to the computer so that the Home button is pressed at the time of connection. The iTunes and cable icon should appear on your phone screen. A message “There are problems with...” will appear on the PC screen in the iTunes window - select “Restore” at the bottom. Confirm next steps. The program will download and install the latest software version for your device. It is recommended to do this on computers with a licensed OS, or make sure that the “pirate” is not cut down and has all the required system files. Thanks to this, unexpected failures will not occur during the firmware and you will overcome iPhone error disabled, connect to iTunes.

This guide describes what to do if your iPhone is disconnected and displays the message “try again after 1 minute has passed” (5-15-60 minutes) or “connect to iTunes”. You will learn how many times you can enter the password incorrectly to avoid blocking your device.

The steps below will get your device working normally again. The instructions are suitable for iPhone and iPod touch.

What does iPhone disabled mean?

This always means one thing - the iPhone is locked after entering the password incorrectly to protect itself from a possible hacking attempt.

There are 4 reasons to disconnect:

You have entered your password incorrectly several times in a row.
A child has blocked an iPhone - this is one of the most common cases. As soon as the phone gets into small hands, they immediately start poking their fingers at the screen, which leads to the smartphone turning off.
The device may try to unlock itself while lying in your pocket. A light touch on the screen is enough to turn it on. The same random touches are used to enter the code.
Someone purposefully selected a passcode while the smartphone was out of your area of attention.

Apple takes measures to protect users' personal data. One of them is to lock the device after several incorrect attempts to enter the password to prevent it from being bypassed by trying combinations of numbers.

This hacking method is called Brute force, which means “complete search”. To prevent this method of hacking an iPhone, iOS deliberately limits the number of input attempts.

In this case, the message “iPhone is disabled, try again when 1 minute has passed” appears on the screen.

The message can contain a different number of minutes: 1, 5, 16 or 60. How long the iPhone is locked depends on how many password attempts were made:

5 incorrect attempts to enter a password in a row - disconnection for 1 minute.
7 incorrect attempts in a row - try again in 5 minutes.
8 attempts in a row and you will see the message “iPhone is disabled, try again in 15 minutes.”
9 attempts in a row - blocking for 60 minutes.
If you enter the wrong password 10 times, the phone is completely locked, displaying the message “iPhone is disabled: connect to iTunes” (how to unlock the device in this case is described below).

Don’t do it up to 10 times; it’s better to wait until the timer resets and try to enter the code again. This is easier than reviving a locked device.

If you can't remember the passcode, you'll have to erase all data from your phone, including settings. If you haven't backed up your data via iCloud or iTunes, it will be lost.

Try again in 15 minutes

The first thing to do if your iPhone is locked when you enter the wrong code less than 10 times is to wait for the time indicated on the screen. The message on the screen “iPhone is disabled, try again in 15 minutes” counts down the time every minute, so you can see how many minutes you have left to wait.

Even though the iPhone is disabled, it allows you to make calls to emergency numbers. To do this, click SOS button at the bottom of the screen.

The code cannot be entered until the time indicated on the screen has expired. Wait until the countdown ends: the phone updates the message on the screen every minute, then enter the correct password.

After the waiting period, the screen will change to the normal one numeric keypad, and you can try again. Be careful: if you make a mistake again, you will go back to the waiting period.

In the future, try to enter the correct code on the first try to avoid blocking the device.

How to reset the remaining minutes counter

If you have a trusted computer at hand that you previously linked with a disconnected iPhone, you can connect them via a wire and synchronize. Thereby resetting the minute counter in the “try again when X minutes have passed” message.

After pressing the button, the minute counter will be reset and you can enter the correct password code. In this case, it is not necessary to wait for the end of synchronization; you can interrupt it immediately after it starts.

Unfortunately, this will not revive a locked phone.

Unlocking via iTunes

If you enter the wrong code 10 times, the phone is locked, displaying the message “iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes.”

iPhone is locked and asks to connect to iTunes

In this case, there is nothing left but to remove the password. In this case, you will lose all the data on your phone, which can then be restored from a backup. You did it, right?

If your iPod or iPhone is locked and you've forgotten the password, connect to iTunes and reset it by erasing the device. The instructions below will help you do this.

To do this you will need iTunes - it is free. multifunctional program who knows how to work with Apple devices. On Mac computers it is installed by default. If you don't have it or are on Windows, download it from the link from the official Apple website.

If you have macOS Catalina installed, then iTunes is not needed. For Windows and earlier operating versions macOS systems it will be needed.

If you don’t have a computer, you can ask friends for help or contact your nearest service center Apple, where experts can help.

You will also need a cable to connect your smartphone to your computer. You cannot erase an iPhone via Wi-Fi, only via a wire. Since the interfaces of different iPhones and laptops are different (USB, USB-C or lighting), an adapter may be required.

Below is simple instructions how to unlock iPhone 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, X, Xs, Xr, 11 and all their S, Plus, Pro, Max versions.

Step 1 - Put your phone into DFU mode

We've already talked about it, but we'll repeat it. Make sure your device is NOT connected to the computer and do this:

iPhone 8, X, Xs, Xr, 11 - press and hold the side button and any volume button until the “Power off” slider appears on the screen. Slide it to turn off the device. After turning off, press the side button, connect the device to the computer, hold down the side button until the recovery mode starts.
iPhone 7, iPod touch 7th generation - press and hold the side or top button until the “Turn Off” slider appears. Turn off your iPhone, hold down the volume down button, and connect it to your computer. After that, hold down the volume down button until the recovery mode screen opens.
iPhone 4s, 5, 5s, SE, 6, 6s, iPod touch 6th generation or earlier - Press and hold the Side or Top button until the Power Off slider appears. Turn off the device, hold down the Home button, and connect it to the computer via cable. After that, hold the Home button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.

Step 2

If you have macOS Catalina or higher installed, then open Finder and find your device in the left menu. For everyone else operating systems launch the iTunes program, find your phone or tablet in the left menu.

In the dialog box that appears, select “Restore” (updating will not help).

Finder or iTunes will begin downloading software for iPhone: downloading takes up to 15 minutes. After this, the iPhone will be automatically updated to latest version iOS, which will erase all data from it, including the passcode.

In front of you will be an essentially new device, ready for configuration and data recovery from a backup copy.

There is a radical measure of protection against password brute force, which is disabled in iOS by default. It erases all data from the phone if you enter the unlock code 10 times in a row. To activate, go to Settings, select Touch ID & Password (or Face ID & Password), then enter the code. Scroll to the very bottom of the screen, where you will see a switch labeled “Erase Data.” Do not use this option if you occasionally forget the code.

Unknown error connecting to iTunes

Some users are faced with the fact that the iPhone does not connect to iTunes and displays error 0xe8000015 when the phone is locked. There may be several reasons for its appearance:

The problem is with the cable you connect your iPhone to your computer - try using a different port or cable.
Old version of iTunes - update the program to the latest version, restart your smartphone.
On Windows, open Device Manager -> USB Controllers, right-click on Apple Mobile Devices USB Driver, update it, restart your computer.
Please use another computer as this error is due to a software conflict.

Usually updating iTunes or drivers will help complete iPhone recovery via iTunes. If this is not your case, restore your phone through Find My iPhone in iCloud.

How to unlock iPhone via iCloud

If you have another device connected to the same Apple ID as the disabled phone, it's easier to use Find My iPhone or the Find My app to erase it. You can only use Latitude on devices running macOS or iOS that are connected to the same Apple ID as the locked phone.

To unlock an iPhone without a password via iCloud, you need to go to icloud.com, log in to your account.

In a few minutes, your phone will be reset to factory settings and you can use it after entering your Apple ID.

Now you know why the iPhone asks to connect to iTunes and what to do in this situation. If something is unclear, ask questions in the comments.

To avoid having to unlock your iPhone in the future, you should be more careful when entering the access code or disable the use of a password (for security reasons, we are against this option).

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Many owners of Apple devices encounter certain difficulties during use, despite the fact that they are made for maximum comfortable use. One of common problems– the notification “iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes” appears, how to unlock the device and why does such a message appear? Let's try to figure this out.

To begin with, it’s worth saying that this warning is related to the quality of the smartphone’s protection; by the way, on the iPhone it is organized well. The thing is that it is possible to set a password on the device that can protect important information from potential privacy violations. This system functions highly efficiently, but sometimes it is inconvenient to use, including for the user himself.

Its operating principle is that after unsuccessful attempts to enter the cipher (incorrectly), the smartphone is blocked and all information is deleted. They can only be revived through a backup version stored in iTunes, which is why such a notification appears.

The user has 6 attempts to enter the password. Usually this is enough to allow you to concentrate and remember the combination. If not, then a notification appears on the screen stating that the iPhone is disabled, you need to connect to iTunes, and you need to look for methods to unlock it.

How to unlock an iPhone if it is disabled and requires you to connect to iTunes

The device itself recommends connecting to iTunes, but in fact you can unlock it in other ways if the iPhone is disabled. But at the same time, restoring the system using the recommended option is the simplest and most convenient. Although it’s up to you to choose how to make it easier and faster.

Using iTunes

It is worth immediately noting that in reality this procedure is not unlocking a specific device, gaining access to the information stored on it. This process consists of two interconnected stages:

resetting the iPhone to factory settings, deleting all data stored on it;
restoring the device information and settings again from the backup version stored in iTunes.

You must be prepared for the fact that not all parameters will be restored in the same form in which they were originally, you may even have to make settings in manual mode. So be more careful when entering your password. But usually all the information available on the device is completely reanimated.

If you think in advance that in an emergency you will restore operation using this method, do not forget to regularly create backup copies and save them to iCloud.

How to unlock: step by step instructions

If a message appears that the iPhone is disabled and you want to unlock it through iTunes, the algorithm will be as follows:

connect the smartphone to the PC with a cable;

activate iTunes on your computer;
enter the password for the service, if necessary;

look for the “Browse” tab and tap on it;

Scroll the window that opens to the “Backups” item, click on it;
create a backup of the system on your PC (you should select “This computer” as the storage location to create a copy not only with the settings, but also with multimedia files);

disconnect the iPhone from the PC and turn it off;
turn off iTunes;
reconnect the switched off phone to the PC and activate the iTunes device on it;
On your smartphone, simultaneously hold down the lock/on/off buttons and the Home key;
hold them in this position for about ten seconds;
release the Home key.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that after completing the steps, the iTunes service should find the device connected in recovery mode and offer to perform this recovery.

Wait for the question to appear on your computer monitor. Tap the Restore button and leave your iPhone for a while.

This procedure can take a long time and cannot be stopped. There is no need to disconnect the device from the computer and allow the PC itself to be turned off.

The recovery process sometimes takes from 30 minutes to several hours (it all depends on the power level of the equipment, memory size, settings, etc.).

Then start the smartphone in normal mode (connected to iTunes). You select the latest backup in the service and download it - this will also take time. It is worth noting that phones with more recent versions of the operating system are no longer able to make backup copies in a locked position. So the restoration must be done from the last saved one. So, just in case, make your own backups.

Find My iPhone feature

This option will be useful if the user does not currently have access to a desktop PC. And also, if iTunes does not have a full backup and there is no way to make one.

When using the Find My iPhone function, information from cloud storage, which are quite enough to maintain the full functionality of the gadget. What to do?

Go to iCloud using your AppleID, this can be done from any device;
Look for your phone and remotely erase all information from your iPhone;
Perform the initial setup;
Authorize using your AppleID;
Now access to the data is open.

If you receive a notification: “Your iPhone is disabled, connect to iTunes,” you need to unlock it. Follow the instructions or watch the video below.