How do I unlock a disabled iPhone 11 with full storage and no backup?

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How do I unlock a disabled iPhone 11 with full storage and no backup?

My iPhone 11 became disabled after too many failed passcode attempts. I tried updating it using Finder, and everything seemed normal until the final step where I entered the passcode. Then the iPhone reported a recovery failure. This might be because my iPhone's storage space is completely full, preventing the update. But the problem is, my phone remains locked. I can't free up more storage space, and I can't unlock my phone to access it. What should I do? Can someone help me figure this out? I don't want to restore it to factory settings because I have important things on my phone and no backup. I remember my Apple ID and password, as well as my phone passcode.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: trying too many times of password locked my Phone, and cannot upgrade my phone by finder because there is no more storage space in my phone HELP!

iPhone 11

Posted on Dec 16, 2025 11:51 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 16, 2025 11:55 PM in response to Yyrryyyyy

If you see an iPhone or iPad Unavailable message or a "Security Lockout" screen

If you forgot your passcode, you can use your Apple ID and password to erase and reset your device without a computer.

Learn what to do if you see "[Device] unavailable" or "Security Lockout" on your iPhone or iPad.)

iPhone is disabled.

Following this process is the only way out if your iPhone is disabled. The steps given in this link will help you reset the passcode -> If you forgot the passcode for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, or your ...

Regarding your data…

If you have an iCloud or iTunes latest backup, then there is nothing to worry about. If not read more...
You have synced your data to iCloud, then what you will get back is what you have synced to iCloud and uploaded to iCloud Drive; the information that is synced and stored in iCloud are, Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, Mail, Notes, Voice Memos, shared photos, iCloud Photos*, Health data, call history, and files you store in iCloud Drive. (*-If you have turned on iCloud Photos, your content is automatically stored in iCloud.)
You have imported your Photos and videos to Mac/PC then they are safely residing there on Mac/PC
You have uploaded some of it to Cloud Drives using the Files app (iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, Flickr, box, AmazonDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc). The data remains there.
If you have not backed up or do not have the latest backup, nor imported nor you have synced or uploaded your data to cloud drives prior to the situation that you are in, then I am sorry, all your data is lost.

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