You are correct, she would have had to set up a password to get locked out like this. Answer from StoniePony on reddit.com
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TunesKit
tuneskit.com › unlock-ios › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null.html
You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null? Solutions are Here!
January 19, 2026 - When you see the "(null)" error, it means the security countdown has malfunctioned, and the device will not unlock itself no matter how long you wait. To regain access, you must bypass the lock screen using one of the proven methods below.
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Dr.Buho
drbuho.com › how-to › null-iphone-passcode
How to Fix "iPhone in Security Lockout Null" - Dr.Buho
May 28, 2025 - Normally, you can enter the wrong passcode several times, but the “null iPhone passcode” message indicates a failure to display the countdown timer.
Discussions

What is the “null null” means?:v
A bug. That’s where some explanatory text is supposed to be. Are you on iOS beta? More on reddit.com
🌐 r/ios
22
22
February 6, 2023
Try passcode again in null - Apple Community
Probably you may have entered the wrong passcode multiple times. After 10 failed attempts the iPhone will get disabled. More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
May 10, 2022
How do I clear this null app from my settings?
I'm guessing it was from a download that never finished. Do you know what app it was? If so, my suggestion would be to download the app and then delete it. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/iphone
4
3
November 12, 2015
What is null? Its appearing in my … | Apple Developer Forums
What is null? Its appearing in my iPhone. More on developer.apple.com
🌐 developer.apple.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/applehelp › my grandmother's iphonex with supposedly no password is now locked out (null).
r/applehelp on Reddit: My grandmother's IPhoneX with supposedly no password is now locked out (null).
December 18, 2023 -

I'm the tech support grandchild and my grandmother (with Alzheimer's) came to me asking why her phone was locked out with a message stating "This iphone is in security lockout. you can try your passcode again in (null)". Her phone was originally setup to not have a password - but for this to happen I'm assuming she set one on her own and forgot what it was, locking her out of her phone after too many attempts. Is there some edge case that would cause this to happen with no password or is my assumption that this is her own doing in fact correct?

Edit: I don't know what IOS version it was on.

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Softwaredive
softwaredive.com › home › resources › how to fix “you can try your passcode again in null” error [updated]
How to Fix "You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null" Error [Updated] - SoftwareDive.com
March 22, 2026 - Tap Find My app. Locate the security lockout iPhone and tap Erase iPhone. Confirm Erase and follow the instructions to finish it. ... Yes. Erase and reset the null iPhone with Finder or iTunes in recovery mode.
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Tenorshare
tenorshare.com › unlock-iphone › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null.html
How to Fix "This iPhone Is in Security Lockout Null" 2025
February 10, 2026 - The first thing we are going to do is to explain to you what “You can try passcode again in null” means. When you enter the wrong screen lock passcode enough times, the iPhone becomes unavailable or goes into security lockout.
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Passixer
passixer.com › fix › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null.html
‘You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null’ Error iPhone [Fixes]
Passixer iPhone Unlocker is a complete iOS unlock solution that powers groundbreaking features for you to resolve any security restriction issues on iPhone or iPad. Removing screen lock is one of its powerful features. Passixer bypasses the Unavailable/Security Lockout screen without passcode or Face ID while “You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null” message is removed at the same time.
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UltFone
ultfone.com › home › ultfone iphone unlock › how to unlock support.apple.com/iphone/passcode (null) screen [2026 solved]
Unlock Support Apple com iPhone Passcode (Null) Screen 2026
February 3, 2026 - If your iPhone shows "support.apple.com/iphone/passcode (null)," it's due to repeated wrong passcode attempts, especially on iOS 15.2 or later. This can lead to messages like "iPhone Unavailable, try again in X minutes".
Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/ios › what is the “null null” means?:v
r/ios on Reddit: What is the “null null” means?:v
February 6, 2023 - Someone didn’t checked that field for null values. ... Nothing. Literally. ... This happened in my iPhone when I authenticated using the code that I received in my Watch.
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Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253886654
Try passcode again in null - Apple Community
May 10, 2022 - Probably you may have entered the wrong passcode multiple times. After 10 failed attempts the iPhone will get disabled.
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iToolab
itoolab.com › unlock › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null
How to Fix "You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null" Error?
August 25, 2023 - The error message “You can try your passcode again in null” means that you have made ten failed attempts to enter your passcode, and there are no more attempts left. The iPhone allows ten attempts to try with your passcode. When you enter the wrong passcode for the 10th time, you have no ...
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MagFone
magfone.com › home › resource › unlock ios › how to fix you can try your passcode again in null
You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null? Fixed! [Updated]
January 24, 2025 - iPhone Security Lockout null bothering you? We show you several ways to fix 'You can try your passcode again in null' on your iPhone, with step-by-step instructions.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/iphone › how do i clear this null app from my settings?
r/iphone on Reddit: How do I clear this null app from my settings?
November 12, 2015 - You can redownload this app to get rid of this null entry, but the problem is remembering what app it was in the first place... ... Whenever I've had weird things like that happen, a reboot usually fixes them. ... Hope it works for you. If it doesn't work, you can use iMyfone Umate to manage and remove unused Apps. Maybe it helps. Must have apps. ... My grandmother's IPhoneX with supposedly no password is now locked out (null).
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Null's Brawl
null-brawl.org
Null's Brawl v67.264 APK Download - Damian, Starr Nova & Bolt (2026)
Download Null's Brawl v67.264 APK or iOS with Damian, Starr Nova & Bolt update. Enjoy unlimited gems, gold, and boxes in this exciting private server.
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Apple Developer
developer.apple.com › forums › thread › 16855
What is null? Its appearing in my … | Apple Developer Forums
I see it when you scroll all the way down on settings and it shows a white icon, with no name of the app, until you click it, the words "null wants to have background app refresh."
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LogMeOnce
logmeonce.com › resources › iphone-null-password
iPhone Null Password
LogMeOnce Resources - LogMeOnce is best password manager This is the ONLY platform with multiple patented products. Choose bundle up with all 4 security products. Get it for FREE.
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Nullsbrawl
nullsbrawl.io › home › null’s brawl ios en
Null's Brawl iOS v67.264 - Download Nulls Brawl IPA for iPhone
May 4, 2026 - Download Null’s Brawl iOS, expertly crafted for your Apple devices! Enjoy unlimited features and easy install process without using jailbreak.
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Apple Developer
developer.apple.com › forums › thread › 764491
Incorrect display of (null) instead of application name under ...
Since upgrading to iOS 18, an issue has been observed where blocked incoming calls display "(null)" instead of the actual application name.