More than 100 million people use iPhones in the United States.
Today more than ever, our iPhones are an essential part of our daily lives.
But despite doing everything we can to keep our phones safe, accidents sometimes happen.
Do you want to know how to unlock your iPhone if your screen is broken? The good news is that you can do it, and we’ve got four possible ways for you to try.
Unlock Using Touch ID
Touch ID uses your fingerprint to unlock your iPhone. This means you won’t have to enter your passcode on the screen. For this method, you need to set Touch ID up in advance (before your screen is broken)!
The Touch ID sensor is on your Home button. Before you begin, make sure your Home button and your finger are clean and dry.
On your iPhone, select “Settings” and then “Touch ID & Passcode”. You’ll then be asked to enter your passcode for security reasons.
Choose “Add a Fingerprint”, and hold you iPhone as you normally would. Depending on what’s best for you, you can choose to use your thumb or a finger for the Touch ID.
You will see instructions on the screen. Hold your thumb or finger on the Touch ID sensor until you feel a vibration, or you are asked to move. You will be asked to continue lifting and resting your thumb or finger on the sensor so it can capture your entire fingerprint.
Once you have finished, you’ll be able to quickly and easily rest your chosen thumb or finger onto the Home button to unlock your iPhone. This is perfect to use if your screen is broken, and you can’t unlock it using your passcode.
Unlock Using iTunes
Have you ever synced your iPhone to a trusted computer? If the answer is yes, you can use iTunes to unlock your iPhone if your screen is broken.
Start by opening iTunes on your computer. You can then connect your iPhone to the computer as you normally would, using a USB cable.
Once the computer has detected and recognized your iPhone, you’ll be able to select “Summary”. You can then choose the “Restore iPhone…” option. You’ll be asked to confirm the “Restore” option before the process begins.
By choosing this method, your iPhone will restore to factory settings. This means that the passcode will be removed, and you’ll be able to access your device.
However, be warned that this factory reset will remove all data and settings from your iPhone. These can be restored if you’ve previously and recently backed your iPhone up to iTunes or iCloud.
Unlock Using iCloud
This method of unlocking your iPhone will work if you have previously enabled the “Find My iPhone” feature. This can be done in your Settings app, or on iCloud.
To unlock your screen using iCloud, begin by going to iCloud via your computer or iPad browser. You can then log in to your iCloud account using your Apple ID and password.
Select the “Find iPhone” button. Click on “All Devices” and you will see a drop-down menu. Make sure you select your iPhone from this list.
You can then choose the “Erase iPhone” option. This deletes all of the content on your phone, including your screen passcode, meaning you can access your iPhone.
Again, this option wipes your phone. This means that everything you have added will be deleted, including contacts, photos, and notes.
That’s why it’s important to regularly back up your iPhone. If you do, you’ll then be able to restore your iPhone, reinstalling all of your content.
Unlock Using Siri
Another way to unlock your iPhone when you’ve broken your screen is to use Siri. This method does not involve wiping your iPhone, but it isn’t the most reliable method. But it may be worth trying!
Press and hold down your Home button. This will activate Siri.
Ask Siri to “Turn on VoiceOver”. Then press the Home key again to go to the main unlock screen.
Some of your touch screen may still work, so use the section that still responds to touch. On the password page, swipe left or right, moving your VoiceOver cursor to select the numbers of your passcode. You can then double-tap to select each number.
VoiceOver will also read out the number that your cursor is on, which is helpful if your cracked screen makes it difficult to see.
You then swipe to select the “Enter” or “Done” button, and double-tap to submit the password.
It’s then best to plug your iPhone into your computer, and backup to iTunes or iCloud. That way, you can be sure that you won’t lose anything in the future.
How to Unlock Your iPhone if Your Screen Is Broken
We understand how important your phone is to you. That’s why we understand how frustrating and difficult it can be if you can’t use it.
If you’ve broken your screen and you can’t unlock your phone, try these four methods. And remember to regularly back your iPhone up to iTunes or iCloud!
If you’re still not sure how to unlock your iPhone if your screen is broken, please get in touch with us. We can help you access your phone, and get your screen repaired so it’s as good as new.
