Connecting a passcode protected iPhone - Lockdown method

Connecting a passcode protected iPhone - Lockdown method

MOBILedit Forensic Express is able to connect to iPhones protected by passcodes. Most iPhone users use iTunes, especially for managing music and almost everyone has connected their iPhone to iTunes at least once. To get through the passcode, you need to access the computer that the locked iPhone was connected to and obtain the 'lockdown file' that iTunes creates automatically for any iPhone that connects to that PC.

You will find the lockdown files located in the iTunes folder along one of these file paths, depending on your operating system. 

Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10

C:\ProgramData\Apple\Lockdown

Windows 2000/XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Apple\Lockdown

Mac OS X
/var/db/lockdown

After finding these files, move them to a different location on the disk or transfer them to the computer with MOBILedit Forensic Express installed if needed. Once you have the file, click on "Upload lockdown file".


Then select your lockdown file


Click on Open and your iPhone will reconnect and will be unlocked.


If your device is running iOS 9, or higher, the device will not connect if it was rebooted after it was locked. If the phone is still running you can use this method without any issue.


    • Related Articles

    • Connecting an iPhone

      An iPhone can be connected by cable or via Wi-Fi. All iOS versions are supported. Download our printable instruction sheet here Connecting iPhone by USB cable Install correct Apple drivers if necessary Unlock the phone´s screen - use Lockdown method ...

    • Passcode protected iOS device

      If you use an iPhone our software is able to connect to the device even when it is protected with a pass-code. Most iPhone users use iTunes to manage their phone but mostly for managing music. Almost all users have connected their iPhone to iTunes at ...

    • iPhone applications transfer

      It is possible to transfer applications from one iPhone to another one. The destination device has to have the same ID as the source one. After installation, some applications require access to wi-fi or for the apple id to be specified before they ...

    • Issues while connecting phone?

      If you are unable to connect your phone to MOBILedit, you should check these hints. These are often the key to connect your device: Make sure your phone is supported Check the list of supported phones. Make sure to only use connection types that are ...

    • iPhone restore

      To restore your iPhone select the device you want to restore and click on Backup/Restore button       Select Restore Now you can restore the backup you created with MOBILedit or the one you created using iTunes. You could also create a iTunes backup ...