iPhone 18 Pro Stuck on Apple Logo? How to Fix

A brand-new iPhone 18 Pro stuck on the Apple logo is unsettling, but it's rarely a sign of a defective device. Because the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max ship with iOS 27 already installed, the freeze almost always happens during first-time activation, a data restores from your old phone, or a heat-related pause — not during an OS update the way it might on an older iPhone. This guide walks through safe fixes in order, starting with the ones that can't cost you any data.

Why Is My New iPhone 18 Pro Stuck on the Apple Logo?

A few things commonly trigger this on a device fresh out of the box:

1. eSIM or carrier activation taking longer than expected, or stalling on a weak connection

2. A large iCloud or Finder/iTunes restore from your previous iPhone getting interrupted or corrupted

3. Heat buildup from finishing setup while charging (especially wirelessly), which Apple documents as a normal — if inconvenient — safeguard

4. A rushed setup interrupted by a restart, low battery, or a dropped connection mid-process

5. In rare cases, a hardware fault — more likely if the device is completely unresponsive to any button combination

Easy Fixes to iPhone 18 Pro Stuck on Apple Logo

Fix 1: Wait It Out on a Stable Connection

If the logo appeared during activation or a restore, give it 10–15 minutes on strong Wi-Fi before doing anything else. Interrupting either process partway through can turn a slow step into a real problem.

Fix 2: Check for Heat

If the phone feels warm, unplug it, take it out of direct sunlight, and let it cool for 15–20 minutes before trying again. This is especially relevant if you were charging (particularly wirelessly) while it finished setup.

Fix 3: Force Restart the iPhone 18 Pro

You can press and immediately release the volume up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then keep holding until the screen goes black and the logo appears a second time. Release the Side button and let the iPhone boot normally. This step never erases data and resolves the majority of first-boot freezes on its own.

Fix 4: Try Recovery Mode (Update, Not Restore)

Step 1: Connect the iPhone 18 Pro to a Mac or PC with a USB-C cable. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC).

Step 2: Force restart the iPhone using the steps above, but keep holding the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen instead of releasing at the second logo.

Step 3: When Finder or iTunes detects the device, choose Update — not Restore — to reinstall system files without erasing your data.

Fix 5: Use iSunshare iOS Repair Genius (No Data Loss)

 If force restart and Recovery Mode's Update option don't clear the freeze, iSunshare iOS Repair Genius can typically fix a stuck-on-logo iPhone 18 Pro without erasing your photos, messages, or settings — useful if the freeze happened mid-restore and you'd rather not start that process over.

Step 1: Download and install iSunshare iOS Repair Genius on your Windows computer, then connect your iPhone 18 Pro with a USB-C cable.

Step 2: Open the program and select System Repair from the main screen.

Step 3: Select Standard Mode to fix the iPhone stuck issue with no data loss. Then hit the Start and Next button to continue.

Step 4: Confirm your device model and download the matching firmware package when prompted.

Step 5: Click Repair and wait for the process to finish — do not disconnect the iPhone during this step.

Apple Logo Stuck Issues, Causes and Solutions

1.     Stuck on Apple logo right after first activation (no progress bar)

If your device freezes on the Apple logo with no progress bar right after initial activation, the issue usually results from an eSIM or carrier activation delay or a slow initial server handshake. Keep the device connected to Wi‑Fi for 10–15 minutes, then perform a force restart.

2.     Apple logo with a static progress bar during iCloud/Finder restore

If the Apple logo appears with a frozen progress bar during an iCloud or Finder restore, the problem is typically caused by large backup files, weak Wi‑Fi, or corrupted backup data. Reconnect to a stable, strong Wi‑Fi network. If the progress remains unchanged for 30–45 minutes, use Repair Genius Standard Mode to resolve the error.

3.      Logo appears, screen goes black, logo reappears (loop)

A boot loop where the Apple logo repeatedly appears and disappears with a black screen is generally caused by software conflicts from incomplete initial setup or interrupted restore procedures. Force restart the device first; if the loop continues, apply Repair Genius Standard Mode.

4.     Phone feels hot, then freezes on the logo while charging

If the device overheats while charging and gets stuck on the logo screen, this is a system heat protection pause during initial charging and setup. Unplug the device, move it to a cool place away from direct sunlight, allow it to cool fully, then retry the process.

5.     Logo freezes and Recovery Mode won't detect the device

If the logo freezes and the device cannot be detected in Recovery Mode, interrupted initial restores have likely caused serious system file corruption. Try DFU mode first, and use Repair Genius Advanced Mode as a final solution.

6.     Nothing works, phone unresponsive to any button combo

If the device stays completely unresponsive to all button inputs after all troubleshooting attempts, a hardware fault may be present — uncommon for new devices but still possible. In this case, contact Apple Support to apply for warranty service or device replacement.

When to Contact Apple Instead

If the iPhone 18 Pro is completely unresponsive to every button combination, if Recovery Mode and DFU mode both fail to detect it, or if Repair Genius Advanced Mode doesn't resolve the freeze, this points toward a hardware issue. Since the device is brand new and under warranty, Apple Support or an authorized service provider is the right next step rather than continuing to try software fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.     Does the iPhone 18 Pro get stuck on the Apple logo because of an iOS 27 update?

Usually not. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max ship with iOS 27 already installed, so a new unit doesn't go through the update process the way older iPhones did when they moved to iOS 27. If your new iPhone 18 Pro is stuck on the logo, the more likely triggers are activation, a data restore, or a first-charge heat pause rather than an OS update itself.

2.     Will I lose my data if my new iPhone 18 Pro is stuck on the Apple logo?

Not necessarily. A force restart and iSunshare iOS Repair Genius's Standard Mode are both designed to fix boot issues without erasing anything. Data loss only becomes likely if you use Advanced Mode or a full Restore through Finder/iTunes, which should be later-resort options.

3.     How long should I wait before force restarting a new iPhone 18 Pro stuck on the logo?

Give it 10 to 15 minutes on a stable Wi-Fi connection first, especially if it's mid-activation or mid-restore, since interrupting either process partway through can create new problems. If there's still no progress after that, a force restart is safe to try.

4.     Is it normal for a brand-new iPhone to run warm and freeze during setup?

Apple has documented that completing a major update or restore, plus charging (especially wirelessly), can both generate heat on their own — and doing them together makes a temporary pause more likely. This is treated as a thermal safeguard, not a hardware fault, and normally resolves once the device cools down.

5.     Should I try to fix a stuck iPhone 18 Pro myself, or take it to Apple right away?

Software-side fixes (force restart, Repair Genius Standard Mode, Recovery Mode Update) are safe to try yourself first and solve the large majority of stuck-on-logo cases. Go to Apple directly if the device is unresponsive to every button combination, since that's a stronger signal of a hardware problem best handled under warranty.

Conclusion

Most stuck-on-logo cases on a new iPhone 18 Pro clear up with a wait, a heat check, or a force restart — no data loss involved. If it persists, iSunshare iOS Repair Genius's Standard Mode fixes the boot issue while keeping your data intact. Save Advanced Mode or a full Restore for last, and if the phone stays totally unresponsive, use the warranty rather than keep troubleshooting.

Related Articles:

1. Fix iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo If Storage is Full
2. How to Fix iPhone Stuck on Apple Logo During iOS Update
3. Solved-iPhone Stuck in Recovery Mode Loop
4. How to Fix My iPhone Keeps Turning Off 

How to Open a BitLocker Drive on Windows 11/10 Home

If you've plugged a BitLocker-encrypted drive into a Windows 11 Home PC and can't find the usual BitLocker menu, you haven't hit a dead end. Windows 11 Home cannot create new BitLocker encryption, but it can open, read, and write to a drive that was already encrypted with BitLocker elsewhere — as long as you have the password or recovery key.

In other words: "Turn on BitLocker" is missing from Home edition, but "Unlock" is not. The four methods below cover every way to open that drive, from the built-in Windows tools to a dedicated third-party app for when the native options misbehave.

Method 1: Unlock BitLocker from Command Prompt or PowerShell

This method is useful if the drive doesn't prompt automatically, or if you need to unlock the same drive repeatedly (e.g., in a script).

Command Prompt (manage-bde)

Press Win + X and choose Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).

Type this, replacing D: with your drive letter, then press Enter and follow the password prompt: manage-bde -unlock D: -password.

PowerShell (Unlock-BitLocker)

Use the command line below to unlock the encrypted drive with BitLocker protection in PowerShell: 

Unlock-BitLocker -MountPoint "D:" -Password $SecureString

Method 2: Open the Drive with iSunshare BitLocker Genius for Windows

If the drive doesn't get picked up correctly by Windows' native tools — a fairly common complaint on Windows 11 Home after certain updates — a dedicated BitLocker manager gives you one consistent interface regardless of Windows edition.

iSunshare BitLocker Genius for Windows is the reliable BitLocker solution for drive in Windows 11/10/7 home edition. You can easily manage the BitLocker drive with password or recovery key. 

Step 1: Download and install iSunshare BitLocker Genius for Windows on your Windows 11/10 Home PC. Then connect the BitLocker-encrypted drive.

Step 2: Open the program, right-click the drive, and choose Unlock Drive.

Step 3: Enter the password or recovery key and click Unlock. Now you can access the data without restrictions. 

Because the tool manages BitLocker independently of Windows' built-in edition restrictions, it also works for turning BitLocker on for a data drive on Home edition — not just opening one — if that's your next step.

Troubleshooting: When the Drive Won't Open

Issue: BitLocker Encryption on this drive isn't compatible with your version of Windows

Solution: It is caused by driver conflict or encryption method mismatch after a Windows update. You can try to update Windows, try a different USB port, or unlock with BitLocker Genius instead of the native prompt. 

Issue: Drive stopped being recognized after a Windows update

Solution: This mainly because USB/driver regression introduced by the update. You can unplug and replug the drive, check Device Manager for a driver error, or roll back the problematic update

Issue: Forgot the password and don't have the recovery key

Solution: Recovery key was never saved to a Microsoft account or file. See our dedicated guide: 4 Tips to Unlock a BitLocker Drive When You Forgot the Password

Issue: System drive is locked and PC won't boot into Windows

Solution: The reason is BitLocker triggered a recovery prompt before Windows loads. You can check this WinPE guide: How to Unlock a BitLocker Drive Under WinPE

FAQs on Opening BitLocker Drives on Windows 11 Home

Q1: Can I open a BitLocker drive on Windows 11 Home?

Yes. Windows 11 Home can open and read a BitLocker-encrypted drive with the correct password or recovery key. It just can't create new BitLocker encryption — that requires Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition.

Q2: Why is "Turn on BitLocker" missing on my Windows 11 Home PC?

That option is intentionally removed from Home edition. The ability to unlock and use an already-encrypted drive remains, but setting up new encryption does not.

Q3: What's the difference between BitLocker and Device Encryption on Home?

Device Encryption is a lighter, mostly automatic version of drive encryption available on some Home PCs. It lacks BitLocker's advanced options, such as PIN protectors or granular drive management.

Q4: Can I unlock a BitLocker drive without the password or recovery key?

Not through any supported method — BitLocker is designed so the data is inaccessible without one of the two. If you've lost both, see our guide on recovering access without a password or recovery key.

Related Articles:

1.     Does Windows 11 Home Have BitLocker Encryption?

2.   How to Solve No Option to Turn off BitLocker on Windows 11 Home 

3. 4 Ways to Fix BitLocker Does Not Prompt for Password Issue

4.  How to Access USB Flash Drive with BitLocker Password Protection on macOS

How to Install Windows 11 on Another Drive Without USB

Want to run Windows 11 from a second internal drive, an external SSD, or a portable hard drive — without burning a USB flash drive or juggling Rufus and Media Creation Tool? This guide walks through every practical way to do it, from native Windows tools to the fastest one-click method: iSunshare WinToGo.

Why Install Windows 11 on Another Drive in the First Place?

Running Windows 11 from a secondary drive is more common than it sounds. Typical scenarios include:

• Dual-booting Windows 11 alongside an existing Windows 10 or Linux installation, without touching the primary system drive.

• Building a portable Windows 11 workspace on an external SSD that boots on any compatible PC — useful for IT technicians, consultants, and remote workers.

• Testing Windows 11 features, insider builds, or software compatibility in an isolated environment before committing on the main drive.

• Recovering access to a PC when the primary drive is failing, encrypted, or otherwise inaccessible.

• Avoiding the extra step of flashing a USB drive when a spare internal or external drive is already at hand.

The phrase "without USB" here means without a separate USB flash drive acting as the Windows installation media — the Windows 11 system itself can still end up on an internal drive, an external HDD/SSD connected by USB, or a portable NVMe enclosure. The distinction is about skipping the ISO-to-USB flashing step, not about avoiding USB ports entirely.

Method 1: Native Windows Tools (Non-Destructive, More Manual)

Before reaching for third-party software, it's worth understanding what Windows itself can and can't do. These native approaches don't require any additional download beyond the Windows 11 ISO, but they come with real limitations.

1.1 Mount the ISO and Run Setup Directly on the Target Drive

This works when the second drive is already connected internally (SATA or NVMe) and you can first boot into an existing operating system.

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft's official Software Download page.

Step 2: Right-click the ISO file and select Mount — Windows treats it as a virtual DVD drive.

Step 3: Open the mounted drive and run setup.exe. When prompted for an installation location, select the second drive instead of your system drive.

Step 4: Complete the on-screen setup, then configure your boot menu (via msconfig or the built-in Boot menu) to choose which drive to start from.

Limitation: this only works for drives that are physically installed inside the machine or otherwise recognized as fixed disks during setup. Windows Setup is picky about external or removable drives and will often refuse to install to them at all.

1.2 Diskpart + DISM (Advanced, Command-Line)

Technically possible: use diskpart to partition the target drive, then apply a Windows image to it with DISM (dism /apply-image), and finally configure the boot files with bcdboot. This is the same underlying process commercial WinToGo tools automate.

Requires precise command syntax — a single wrong disk number in diskpart can wipe the wrong drive.

Doesn't handle driver injection for portable/USB boot automatically, so hardware compatibility across different PCs is inconsistent. No progress bar, no guardrails, and no undo — this route is realistically for IT professionals comfortable troubleshooting boot errors from a command prompt.

Method 2: iSunshare WinToGo (Fast, Guided, No USB Flashing Required)

iSunshare WinToGo automates the diskpart/DISM/bcdboot process above into a guided wizard. It takes a Windows 11 ISO (or an existing Windows installation) and writes a bootable, working copy directly onto an internal drive, external HDD, external SSD, or portable NVMe enclosure — no separate USB installation media needed, and no command-line syntax to get right.

What You Need Before Starting

• A Windows 11 ISO file, or access to create one from Microsoft's Software Download page.

• A target drive with enough free space — 64 GB minimum, 128 GB or more recommended for comfortable everyday use.

• iSunshare WinToGo installed on a working Windows PC (this is the "host" machine used to build the new drive).

• A USB-to-SATA or USB-to-NVMe enclosure if the target is a bare drive rather than one already connected.

Step-by-Step: Building a Windows 11 Drive with iSunshare WinToGo

Step 1: Connect the target drive to your PC and make sure Windows recognizes it in Disk Management.

Step 2: Launch iSunshare WinToGo and select the target drive from the detected disk list. Then choose Use the Windows iso image file. 

Step 3: Load your Windows 11 ISO file. Then select the Windows 11 version. 

Step 4: Click Start and confirm. let the tool apply the Windows image, and configure the boot loader automatically. This typically takes 15–40 minutes depending on drive speed.

Step 5: Once complete, restart the PC, enter the boot menu (commonly F12, F2, Esc, or Delete depending on the manufacturer), and select the new drive to boot Windows 11 from it. Complete Windows 11's out-of-box setup (region, account, and, if applicable, activation with a valid license) on first boot.

Booting the New Drive on a Different PC

One advantage of a WinToGo-built drive over a standard install is portability: the same external drive can boot on other compatible PCs, provided their firmware allows booting from external/USB storage and Secure Boot settings are compatible. Enter that PC's boot menu, select the external drive, and Windows 11 will boot with your settings intact.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the new drive doesn't appear in the boot menu, the most likely cause is a boot mode mismatch, such as MBR versus GPT/UEFI, or Secure Boot blocking the drive. To fix this, rebuild the drive using the partition style that matches the target PC's firmware, or temporarily disable Secure Boot in the BIOS/UEFI settings.

If you see "Windows cannot be installed to this disk" during Setup.exe, it may be because Windows Setup doesn't support installing directly to certain external or removable drives. In this case, use iSunshare WinToGo instead of Setup.exe when working with external or USB-connected drives.

If the system boots but is extremely slow, the target drive may be a slow HDD or may be connected through an outdated USB 2.0 port or enclosure. For better performance, use a USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 enclosure and, ideally, an SSD or NVMe drive.

If Windows activation fails after the first boot, there may be no valid Windows 11 license linked to the system, or the hardware ID may have changed after moving the drive between different PCs. You can enter a genuine product key under Settings > System > Activation, or sign in with a Microsoft account linked to an existing digital license.

If drivers are missing when you boot the drive on a different PC, the Windows image may have been built with drivers specifically for the original hardware. To resolve this, rebuild the drive using iSunshare WinToGo's driver injection option, or allow Windows Update to automatically install the required drivers after the first boot.

FAQs on Installing Windows 11 

Q1: Can I install Windows 11 on an external hard drive without a USB installer?

Yes. Tools like iSunshare WinToGo write Windows 11 directly from an ISO file onto an external hard drive, SSD, or NVMe enclosure, skipping the step of first creating a bootable USB installer with Rufus or the Media Creation Tool.

Q2: Does Windows 11 support Windows To Go like older versions did?

No. Microsoft deprecated Windows To Go in Windows 10 and it was not carried forward into Windows 11. There is no built-in feature for it — this is why third-party tools exist.

Q3: Will Windows 11 run on TPM/Secure Boot-restricted hardware when installed this way?

Third-party WinToGo tools generally bypass the strict TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot checks that Windows 11's official installer enforces, similar to registry-based bypass methods. Compatibility still depends on the target PC's chipset and storage controller drivers being available in the image.

Related Articles:

 1. How to Move Windows 11 C Drive to a New SSD with Partitions

2. How to Install Windows on a New Hard Drive without Disk or USB

3. How to Clean Install Windows 11 on Your Computer

4. Easily Create Windows To Go Drive with Non-certified USB

Best iPhone Passcode Remover: Useful Tools and Methods to Unlock Your iPhone

Forgetting an iPhone passcode is more common than most people expect — a new Screen Time lock, a kid's smudged-up hand-me-down, or a second-hand phone that still remembers its last owner. Before you install anything, it helps to know which methods are genuinely free, which only look free until checkout, and which will factory-reset your device.

This guide walks through both, in the order we'd actually try them: free Apple-native options first, then a fair, hands-on comparison of the passcode remover software on the market.

Quick Answer: Best Free Options at a Glance

Free and no software needed: Erase iPhone via iCloud.com — works only if you still know the Apple ID and password.

Free and official, but erases everything: Recovery Mode restore through Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows/older Mac).

Free to try, paid to unlock: iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius, Tenorshare 4uKey, Wondershare Dr.Fone, iToolab UnlockGo, and iMobie AnyUnlock all offer free device detection, with the actual passcode removal gated behind a license.

No computer needed, cost varies widely: IMEI-based online unlock services, best suited to carrier locks rather than screen passcodes.

 

Part 1: Try These Free Apple-Native Methods First

 If there's any chance you still have access to the Apple ID on the device, start here. These options cost nothing and don't require installing anything from a third party.

Method 1: Erase iPhone via iCloud.com (Find My)

If Find My iPhone was turned on and you remember the Apple ID and password, you can remotely erase the passcode along with the rest of the device's data. Sign in to iCloud.com from another device, open Find My iPhone, select the locked device, and choose Erase iPhone. Once the erase completes, you can set the iPhone up as new without the old passcode. This only works if the phone has an internet or cellular connection and you can pass Apple ID verification.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Restore via Finder or iTunes

This is Apple's official free fallback when you don't have Apple ID access. Connect the iPhone to a computer, force it into Recovery Mode using the button sequence for your model, then choose Restore in Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows and older macOS). The restore wipes the passcode along with everything else on the device.

It's completely free, but it can be fiddly — the button sequence differs across iPhone generations, and a flaky cable or an outdated Finder/iTunes version is a common source of failures. If either of these applies to you, or if Recovery Mode keeps failing, the software options below are built to handle those exact situations. 

Part 2: Free-to-Try iPhone Passcode Remover Software

We compared five widely used passcode remover tools, including our own, side by side on the same criteria: what the free tier actually includes, how the paid unlock works, and who each tool realistically fits best. None of these are free for the full unlock — that's worth knowing upfront rather than discovering at checkout.

1.     iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius 

iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius detects your iPhone model and current iOS version for free, so you can confirm compatibility before paying for anything. The paid unlock removes the screen passcode, Face ID/Touch ID lock, and — on supported iOS versions — Screen Time passcodes & MDM lock, following the same recovery-mode-based approach as the other tools on this list.

Key features:

Free device detection and compatibility check before purchase

Removes 4-/6-digit passcodes, Touch ID, and Face ID locks

Screen Time passcode removal on supported iOS versions

MDM lock bypass on iPhone models

Pros:

Straightforward interface, minimal setup

Clear compatibility check before you pay

Handles the most common lock-out scenario (forgotten screen passcode) reliably

 

Cons:

Like all tools in this category, unlocking erases device data

Does not currently offer no-jailbreak iCloud Activation Lock removal

Requires a Windows or Mac computer and USB cable — no fully remote option

Best for: Users who forgot a screen passcode or Face ID/Touch ID and want a simple, guided tool to run the free compatibility check before deciding whether to buy.

2.     Tenorshare 4uKey

4uKey covers screen passcode, Apple ID, Screen Time, and MDM removal, with a free trial that lets you confirm device detection before buying. In our comparison, it's one of the more full-featured options, at a higher price point to iSunshare Passcode Genius.

Best for: Users who want Apple ID and MDM removal bundled with passcode removal in one license.

3.     Wondershare Dr.Fone

Dr.Fone is part of a broader iOS toolkit (data recovery, backup, transfer), and its screen unlock module is one feature among several. That makes it a reasonable pick if you also want the other tools in the suite, but it's a heavier install than a single-purpose unlocker if passcode removal is your only need.

Best for: Users who want an all-in-one iOS toolkit, not just an unlocker.

4.     iToolab UnlockGo

 UnlockGo focuses specifically on lock removal — screen passcode, Apple ID, Screen Time, and MDM — with a similar workflow to the tools above: free detection, paid unlock. Its interface leans slightly more technical than iSunshare's or EaseUS's, though still usable for most non-technical users.

Best for: Users comfortable following on-screen technical steps in exchange for a broader feature set.

5.     iMobie AnyUnlock

 AnyUnlock adds a few niche extras — such as checking whether a second-hand iPhone is still tied to an Apple ID before you buy it — alongside standard passcode, Screen Time, and Apple ID removal. It's a solid pick specifically for second-hand-purchase due diligence.

Best for: Buyers vetting a used iPhone before purchase, not just people already locked out.

Comparison Table: Free iPhone Passcode Remover Software

 All five tools follow the same model: free detection and compatibility check, paid unlock. Prices are approximate and change with promotions — check each vendor's site before buying.

FAQs on iPhone Passcode Unlocker

Q1: Is there a truly free way to remove an iPhone passcode?

Apple's own tools are free but limited: Erase iPhone via iCloud.com only works if you still know the Apple ID and password, and Recovery Mode restore through Finder or iTunes is free but wipes the device and can fail if the phone won't enter Recovery Mode. Most third-party passcode remover software lets you scan and detect your device for free, but the actual passcode removal step typically requires a paid license.

Q2: Will removing my iPhone passcode delete my data?

Yes, in almost every method. Whether you use iCloud's Erase iPhone, a Finder or iTunes restore, or third-party unlocker software, the process performs a factory reset and removes locally stored photos, messages, and app data. If your files were already backed up to iCloud or a computer, you can restore them after the reset.

Q3: What should I do if my iPhone won't enter Recovery Mode or DFU Mode?

Double-check you're using the correct button sequence for your iPhone model, since it changed after the iPhone 7. Try a different Lightning or USB-C cable and USB port, and make sure Finder or iTunes is fully updated. Most third-party tools include on-screen Recovery Mode and DFU Mode walkthroughs that also help isolate whether the issue is the cable, the port, or the device.

 

Conclusion

 If you still know your Apple ID password, start with the free Erase iPhone option at iCloud.com — it costs nothing and takes minutes. If you don't, Finder or iTunes Recovery Mode restore is Apple's free official fallback, though it can be finicky depending on your iPhone model and cable.

For a more guided, step-by-step experience — especially if Recovery Mode keeps failing or you also need Screen Time passcode removal — iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius offers a free compatibility check so you can confirm it'll work with your device before paying for the full unlock.

Related Articles:

1. Forgot iPhone 17 Passcode—How to Unlock 
2. Easy Fixes to You Must Change Your iPhone Unlock Passcode
3. iPhone Locked to Owner—How to Remove or Bypass
4. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable with No Timer