How Do You Unlock your Apple iPhone 12 mini? Learn All 4 Methods

The Apple Watch symbolizes a world of convenience right on your wrist. Its array of features smoothly integrates into various aspects of our lives. It boosts each aspect, from fitness tracking and connectivity to style and personalization. Whether tracking your heart rate or responding to texts while on the go, the Apple Watch proves helpful.

Yet, there come moments when users might accidentally lock their Apple Watch. It could be due to forgetting a passcode or getting a second-hand locked device. Encountering a locked Apple Watch can be perplexing regardless of the root cause. This article will guide you on how to unlock an Apple Watch.

Part 1. Is It Possible To Unlock the Apple Watch Without a Passcode or Paired Phone?

When it comes to a locked Apple Watch, how to unlock it becomes essential. Unlocking the Apple Watch might seem complicated, especially without a passcode or paired phone. However, rest assured, there are multiple methods available to regain access. These solutions offer diverse perspectives on resolving the issue. It ensures you’re not reliant solely on the passcode or a connected phone to unlock your device.

Part 2. How To Unlock Apple Watch With Passcode or Paired Phone?

Do you have the passcode and your Apple Watch paired with an iPhone? It makes the how do I unlock my Apple Watch process swift and effortless.

• Step 1. Once your Apple Watch and iPhone are nearby, open the Apple Watch app on your Apple iPhone 12 mini. Here, select the “My Watch” tab, navigate to it, and tap “General.”

• Step 2. Within the “General” tab, press “Reset” and choose “Erase Apple Watch Content and Setting” to start the reset process.

• Step 3. Following this, confirm your action by tapping “Erase All Content and Settings.” Continue to select the same option again as it appears on your Apple iPhone 12 mini. If Find My is enabled for your Apple Watch, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. On adding the required details, select “Erase” to conclude the process.

Pro Tip. Make Apple Watch Unlocking Easy With Paired Phone

If you frequently forget the passcode to your Apple Watch, Apple has presented a dedicated option for maintaining control of this problem. It now provides a specific option of automatically unlocking the Apple Watch as soon as it comes near the paired iPhone. To enable this option, follow the simple steps provided as follows:

Instructions. Open the “My Watch” app on your Apple iPhone 12 mini and scroll down to discover the “Passcode” option. Continue next and look for the “Unlock iPhone” option you need to enable.

Part 3. Working Methods To Unlock Apple Watch Without Passcode Perfectly

Apple Watch security features can manifest in various forms. Understanding these diverse forms of locks on your Apple Watch is essential. It allows you to employ specific operational methods to bypass these locks. Discussed below are three ways how to unlock the Apple Watch without passcode:

Way 1. Unlock Apple Watch Activation Lock Using Third-Party Service

When faced with an Activation Lock on your Apple Watch, accessing the watch might seem challenging. Activation Lock is commonly triggered when the Apple iPhone 12 mini device is connected to an Apple ID and iCloud account.

Nevertheless, external services claim to provide solutions for bypassing the Activation Lock, specifically on Apple Watches. One such service is provided by Apple iPhone Unlock. These are the steps to bypass the Activation Lock on the Apple Watch:

• Step 1. Access the Apple iPhone Unlock website using a browser on another device. On the website, place the cursor on “Unlock iPhone” and choose “Apple Watch” from the drop-down menu.

• Step 2. Choose your “Country,” along with the network service provider. Next, enter the IMEI number of your Apple Watch and click “Unlock for any SIM Card.” Afterward, follow the prompts on the screen to complete the process.

Way 2. Unlock the Apple Watch Lock by Resetting

If you forget your Apple Watch passcode without a paired device, a method to unlock the watch remains available. In this scenario, performing a reset becomes the answer to the question of how to unlock Apple Watch without paired phone. Place your watch onto its charger and keep charging until this process is complete. Follow these steps to reset your Apple Watch and bypass the lock:

• Step 1. Press and hold the “Side” button until the Power menu appears. As it appears, press and hold the “Digital Crown” button of your Apple Watch.

• Step 2. Stop holding when the reset menu appears on the screen of the Apple Watch. Tap the “Reset” button on the bottom of the screen to execute the entire process.

Way 3. Unlocking Apple Watch Activation Lock by Contacting Previous Owner

Losing access to your Apple Watch goes beyond just forgetting the passcode; purchasing a used Apple Watch can also lead to being locked out. In this scenario, you can encounter an Activation Lock. Reaching out to the previous owner is a direct and often effective solution.

By contacting the previous owner, you can request them to remove the Apple iPhone 12 mini device from their iCloud account. Here’s the procedure they can follow to unlock your Apple Watch, resulting in the Activation Lock bypass:

• Step 1. Access the iCloud website via a web browser and sign in using the Apple ID. Click on the grid icon near the top right corner and select “Find My.”

• Step 2. Once there, choose your Apple Watch from the “All Devices” list. Opt for “Erase This Device” from the Apple iPhone 12 mini device’s pop-up menu. Finally, adhere to the on-screen instructions to finalize the process.

Bonus Tip. Unlock Your Locked iPhone With Wondershare Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS)

Like the Apple Watch, other Apple devices, such as iPhones, may also encounter locking issues. One such reliable and trusted tool to unlock various types of locks on iOS devices is Wondershare Dr.Fone . This tool is highly proficient and is designed to assist users worldwide in unlocking various iOS devices.

Dr.Fone offers a user-friendly interface coupled with powerful features. This makes it a go-to solution for resolving iPhone lock issues. That ensures versatility in resolving locking issues across a wide range of devices.

Prominent Features of Wondershare Dr.Fone

1. Fone eliminates the iCloud activation lock , requiring no password.
2. Should your Apple ID password slip your mind, Dr. Fone enables the removal of the ID from your device.
3. Additionally, it bypasses the encryption lock on iTunes backups while keeping the data inside intact.

Steps To Unlock Your Locked iPhone With Wondershare Dr.Fone

Dr.Fone, preferred by iOS users for its user-friendly interface and straightforward processes, has risen to the top. Unlocking your locked iPhone using Wondershare Dr.Fone involves the following steps:

• Step 1. Launching Dr.Fone and Initiating Device Unlock

Upon installing Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer, launch the program. Access the “Toolbox” and navigate to “Screen Unlock”. Select “iOS” as the Apple iPhone 12 mini device type and then choose “Unlock iOS Screen.” Click “Start” to commence the unlocking process for your iOS device.

• Step 2. Entering Recovery Mode and Firmware Preparation

Follow the on-screen instructions to put your iDevice into Recovery Mode. The platform will automatically detect and display the Apple iPhone 12 mini device Model. Adjust the model or System Version if necessary, and once done, click “Start.” Track the iOS firmware download progress on the next screen.

• Step 3. Firmware Validation and Device Unlocking

Ensure the downloaded iOS firmware is validated. Click “Unlock Now” to initiate the unlocking process, enter the required code, and tap “Unlock” to proceed. Upon unlocking, click the “Done” button to complete the process.

Conclusion

In summary, this comprehensive guide navigated how do you unlock an Apple Watch. It addressed diverse scenarios, such as Activation Locks and forgotten passcodes . These strategies offer solutions for varied situations, from leveraging third-party services to collaborating with previous owners. Additionally, it recognizes the need for unlocking tools like Wondershare Dr.Fone.

Tips: Are you searching for a powerful iPhone Unlock tool? No worries as Dr.Fone is here to help you. Download it and start a seamless unlock experience!

3 Easy Ways to Factory Reset a Locked Apple iPhone 12 mini Without iTunes

There are a few causes that you might need to factory reset your locked iPhone without iTunes. Perhaps you forgot your passcode and can’t seem to remember it, no matter how many times you try. Maybe you’re selling your Apple iPhone 12 mini and want to ensure that all your data is wiped from the Apple iPhone 12 mini device before handing it over to someone else.

Whatever the reason, a few different ways can help you factory reset locked iPhones without iTunes.

Here are some ways to finish the factory reset on a locked iPhone without iTunes.

Let’s get started.

Easy App to Factory Reset Locked iPhone

If you search for a simple and effective way to factory reset your locked iPhone without iTunes, you should check out Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock. This professional iOS screen unlocks tool can help you erase all kinds of data from your Apple iPhone 12 mini and help you unlock your device within a few minutes.

For this, you will need to follow the steps given below.

Step #1: Download and Install Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock on a Computer or Mac:

First, download Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock on your computer or Mac. Once the software is downloaded, install it on your system and launch it.

Step #2: Select Screen Unlock:

On the main interface of Dr.Fone, you need to select “ Screen Unlock. “ You may see many options, but you will have to choose Screen Unlock because it will allow you to remove the passcode from your locked iPhone.

Step #3: Get your Apple iPhone 12 mini in Recovery Mode and Make it connected to the Computer:

You must put your Apple iPhone 12 mini in recovery mode and then connect it to the computer using a USB cable. If you don’t know how to put your Apple iPhone 12 mini into recovery mode, don’t worry, you will all the instructions on the screen.

Once Dr. Fone detects your device, you will see the following screen.

Step #4: Choose the Appropriate Firmware and Download it:

After your Apple iPhone 12 mini is in recovery mode, you need to select the appropriate firmware for your device. Once you have selected the firmware, click on the “ Download “ button to start downloading it.

Step #5: Reset your Apple iPhone 12 mini:

Once the firmware is downloaded, you can click on the “Unlock Now” button to begin resetting your device.

Your locked iPhone has now been successfully unlocked without iTunes after the reset process has been completed.

The process will take a few minutes if you have a strong internet connection because the Firmware may take some time to download. So be patient and wait for the process to be completed.

3 Simple Methods to Factory Reset Locked iPhone

Besides the above-given method, other methods can also help you factory reset your locked iPhone without iTunes.

These methods are as follows:

Method #1: Factory reset via the Find My feature on your device

Resetting your locked iPhone without iTunes is one of the most effective methods. You can use this method if you have set up the “ Find My iPhone “ function on your device.

To do this, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to icloud.com from any web browser and log in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2: Select “ Find My iPhone “ and select “ All Devices. “

Step 3: Choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini device you wish to erase and click “Erase iPhone.”

Step 4: Enter your Apple ID password when prompted, and click the “ Erase “ button to proceed.

Now that your device has been erased, you can reset it as a new one.

Method #2: Use the Find My feature via another device to remotely factory reset your device (your apple id, password, and Internet required)

This is another method you can use if you have the “ Find My iPhone “ feature on your device. You can use this method to remotely factory reset your locked iPhone without iTunes by using another iOS device.

To do this, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: On another iOS device, go to iCloud and log in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2: Select “ Find My iPhone “ and select “ All Devices. “

Step 3: Click on “Erase iPhone” after selecting the Apple iPhone 12 mini device you want to erase.

Step 4: Enter your Apple ID password when prompted, and click on the “ Erase “ button to proceed.

Your device will now be erased, and you can set it up as a new device.

Method #3: Enter the Recovery Mode of the Finder

If you want to factory reset your locked iPhone without iTunes and any data loss, then this is the method you should use. This method will put your device into recovery mode, and then you can restore it from a previous backup.

To do this, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Finder on your computer and connect your Apple iPhone 12 mini.

Step 2: Click “ General “ and then “ Reset. “

Step 3: Choose the “ Erase All Content and Settings “ option and confirm by clicking “ Erase Now “.

Your device will now be erased, and it’ll become a new device.

FAQs

1. Can a Factory Reset Bypass the Lock screen Passcode on iPhone?

Yes. A factory reset will bypass the lock screen passcode on your Apple iPhone 12 mini and allow you to access it without a passcode. However, all your data will disappear, so make sure you have a backup.

2. Can I Factory Reset my iPhone without Losing the Data?

No. If you want a factory reset, all your data will be erased, so make a backup before proceeding.

But if you want your Apple iPhone 12 mini set to return to the default without losing your data, you can do a “Reset All Settings.” This will not touch your data but will return all the default settings.

3. What is the Difference Between a Soft Reset and a Hard Reset?

A soft reset is when you restart your device, and a hard reset is when you factory reset all the settings on your device and start fresh. A factory reset is a type of hard reset without losing the data.

4. How do I force my iPhone 6 to factory reset with buttons?

To force your Apple iPhone 12 mini to factory reset with buttons, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Press and hold the “ Sleep/Wake “ button and the “ Home “ button simultaneously for about 10 seconds.

Step 2: After 10 seconds have passed, release the “ Sleep/Wake “ button but keep holding the “ Home “ button.

Step 3: Keep holding the “ Home “ button until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

Step 4: Here, you will be in recovery mode, and now you can reset your Apple iPhone 12 mini.

Your device will now be reset, and you will have a phone like a new one.

5. How can I get into a locked iPhone?

If you have lost the passcode of your Apple iPhone 12 mini, then you can use the Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock tool to factory reset your device. To do this, you need to proceed with the steps given above. They are easy to follow and will help you reset your device without risk.

The Bottom Line

These are some of the most effective methods that can help you factory reset your locked iPhone without iTunes. You can use any of these methods to reset your device and get rid of the lock screen.

However, if you want to factory reset your Apple iPhone 12 mini because you have forgotten your passcode, we recommend using Dr.Fone-Screen Unlock app because it is the most effective and safe method.

This app can help you factory reset your locked iPhone without iTunes in just a few minutes, and it is very easy to use. So, if you want to reset your device without any data loss, we recommend using this app.

Apple iPhone 12 mini Asking for Passcode after iOS 17/14 Update, What to Do?

If you’ve recently updated your iOS iPhone and iPad to the iOS 17/14 operating system, you may notice a bit of a bug where the Apple iPhone 12 mini displays the passcode lock, even if you haven’t got a security code in place.

This obviously means you won’t be able to access your phone, and in many cases, you’re going to want to get back into your phone as quickly as possible. However, this may be easier said than done. Fortunately, today we’re going to go through multiple solutions to help you get your device working as it should!

Part 1. Don’t try passcodes blindly

One of the worst things you can do when faced with this situation is to enter passcodes blindly. Perhaps you’re trying random numbers and letters, or you’re trying passwords you’ve used in the past. If you get it wrong, you’re going to be locked out of your device for a long time.

The more times you get your code wrong, the longer you’ll be locked out, so avoid doing this at all costs, so make sure you move straight onto these approaches to get your phone working as quickly as possible.

Part 2. 5 ways to unlock iPhone after iOS 17/14 Update

2.1 Try a default passcode in your family

While we said, you shouldn’t type in random numbers to try and guess the password, of course, if you have a standard family passcode that you use across all iOS devices, perhaps an admin password or just something you use for everything, it can be well worth a try.

In reality, you get three attempts to put a passcode in before it locks you out, so try two passcodes that your family uses to see whether this will easily unlock your device. If you brought your device preowned and still have contact with the owner, they may have a passcode you can try.

2.2 Unlock iPhone with an unlock tool

The second approach you can take if you don’t know the passcode and can’t get it unlocked is to use a powerful software solution known as Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) . This Wondershare software application completely unlocks your phone, even if you don’t know the passcode.

This software is easy to use and incredibly simple, yet it gets the job done. If you’re looking for a quick way to get your iOS device back up and running with full access after an iOS 17/14 update, it doesn’t get much better than this. Here’s how it works;

Step 1. Download and install the Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) software to either your Mac or Windows PC and open it, so you’re on the homepage. Connect your iOS device to your computer using the USB cable and wait for the software to recognize your device.

When it does, close iTunes if it automatically opens and clicks the Screen Unlock option from the main menu.

Step 2. Click the Unlock iOS Screen option.

Step 3. You will now need to put your device in DFU mode, also known as Recovery Mode. Fortunately, this is easy thanks to the on-screen instructions where you will hold down the volume down and power button for a few seconds.

Step 4. Once Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) has detected your device in DFU Mode. You’ll be able to select which device you’re using and what firmware you want to be repaired; in this case, iOS 17/14.

Step 5. Once everything has been confirmed and you’re happy to continue, press the Unlock option. The program will do its thing, and when it’s done, the software will say you’re able to disconnect your Apple iPhone 12 mini and use it without a lock screen!

That’s how easy Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) makes the entire unlock process!

2.3 Restore an old backup from iTunes

Another key way that some users have found to unlock their device after an update is to restore their device to an older version, aiming to put your device back into a position where it didn’t have a lock screen.

It’s only possible to do this if you’ve backed up your iOS device in the past (which is why you’re encouraged to back up regularly), and it can all be done through the iTunes software on either your Mac or Windows computer. Here’s how it works;

Step 1. Ensure you’re running the latest version of iTunes and then connect your iOS device to your Mac or Windows computer using the official USB cable. This should automatically open the iTunes window.

Step 2. In iTunes, click the symbol representing your device and then click Summary. On this screen, you’ll be able to choose the Restore iPhone option at the top to begin the restoring process.

Step 3. Follow the onscreen instructions where you’ll choose which backup file you want to use before iTunes, then restores your device. When the software has completed the process, you’ll be able to disconnect your Apple iPhone 12 mini and use it without a lock screen!

2.4 Restore in recovery mode

In some cases, restoring your device using just iTunes will not be good enough, and it won’t have the effect you’re looking for; in this case, restoring your device with no lock screen after an iOS 17/14 update.

If the above method of restoring your device via iTunes doesn’t work, or you haven’t got a backup file to load, you’ll need to restore your device using a move known as Recovery Mode, or DFU mode. This will hard reset your device and get it working to its full potential.

Here’s how to do it. (Note, the process will differ slightly depending on which model of iPhone you’re using).

Step 1. Press and hold the volume up button for about one second, and then switch and press the Volume Down button for the same amount of time. You can then hold the side button (on devices without a home button), and the following screen should appear after a few seconds.

Step 2. Now connect your Apple iPhone 12 mini to your computer with iTunes and wait for iTunes to open. Make sure you’re running the latest version of iTunes before connecting up your device. Also, make sure you’re using the official USB cable for the most stability.

Step 3. iTunes should automatically detect that your device is in Recovery Mode and automatically restore your device to a default state without a lock screen. Wait until this process is completed before disconnecting your device and using it as normal.

2.5 Use Find My iPhone feature in iCloud

The fifth and final approach you can take to removing a lock screen from your recently updated iPhone or iPad when faced with the iOS 17/14 glitch is taking advantage of the integrated Apple technology and features are known as Find My iPhone.

While this feature originally allows you to literally find your Apple iPhone 12 mini in the situation where it’s lost and offers many other security features to help ensure your device and data don’t fall into the wrong hands, you can also use it to remove your device unwanted lock screen.

Of course, this will only work if the Find My iPhone features have been enabled in the past, so make sure you’re using it to get it to work. Here’s how to use the feature to get your phone access back.

Step 1. From your computer, iPad, tablet, or mobile web browser, head over to iCloud.com and log into your iCloud account using the login in button at the top of the screen.

Step 2. Once signed in, scroll down the menu of features and select the Find iPhone feature. Click on the All Devices option at the top.

Step 3. From the list of devices connected to your account, click the Apple iPhone 12 mini device name with the locked screen and then click the Erase option. This will clear everything from your device, much like the process we’ve spoken about in the methods above.

Leave the Apple iPhone 12 mini device to erase, and once completed, you’ll be able to pick up and use your phone as normal without a lock screen. You should also now be able to update to iOS 17/14 without any problems!

Summary

And there you go, the five key ways you need to know when it comes to removing an unwanted lock screen from your iOS device after an iOS 17/14 update. We highly recommend the Dr.Fone - Screen Unlock (iOS) since the software makes the whole process incredibly easy, especially when managing any problems you may have on your iOS device!