Hey everyone, I'm in a really tough situation and could use your help. My sister recently passed away and we found her Mac's password, which let us access her cloud, but there are only some old pictures there. We're trying to get into her iPhone 13, which is locked by a 6-digit code. We have the receipt and her death certificate, but we haven't been able to unlock it, even with clues we thought might help. Apple Support has warned us that too many attempts could permanently lock the phone, which means we'd lose all her pictures and notes forever. Is there any way to recover her memories without risking permanent lockout? I just want to access those precious moments. Thanks for any advice you can offer. Love to all of you!
3 Answers
While it’s tough, remember that privacy laws might complicate things. After death, some argue privacy interests end, but you definitely want to go about this respectfully. It's understandable to want closure, but your sister's wishes should be considered, too.
Unfortunately, your best option may be to take legal action against Apple. It’s a long shot, and yeah, court can be a hassle, but that might be your only way to access the phone without erasing everything.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I really hope it doesn’t come to that. The legal route feels a bit overwhelming right now.
Unfortunately, there’s really no way to bypass the security features Apple has in place. Your best bet is to keep trying to guess the password carefully, but I understand the fear of locking it permanently. Maybe look into the symbolic anniversaries more deeply, or any combinations that hold sentimental meaning? Otherwise, you might just have to wait and see if forensic data recovery services could help down the line, but that can get pricey.
Yeah, flash memory can degrade over time, so if you decide to keep the phone, make sure to store it right. Look into proper temperature controls and possibly keep it powered up occasionally.
It’s definitely worth considering that if you have a death certificate, legal avenues could help. Consulting a lawyer about this might be a good path if you're comfortable.
I appreciate your concern, but we’ve really thought this through and believe she would have wanted us to remember her positively. It’s comforting just to have a few moments to cherish during this tough time.