India, Nov. 24 -- Many iPhone users learn it the hard way: one moment of confusion or a few wrong taps can lock the device and block access completely. Whether the passcode slipped your mind or someone else entered the wrong combination too many times, the result is the same: the phone locks itself, and Face ID cannot help once the device restarts. Apple allows you to use your previous passcode within 72 hours of changing it, but only if you meet that specific condition. Outside of that window, users must rely on recovery tools to recover access.

Recovery mode offers a way back into the device, but it comes with a major consequence. Once you activate it, the device wipes all its data. This makes a recent backup essential. Users who regul...