You are correct, she would have had to set up a password to get locked out like this. Answer from StoniePony on reddit.com
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 118430
If you forgot your iPhone passcode or your iPhone is disabled - Apple Support
To access your iPhone after you forget your passcode, you must reset your device.
Published 1 day ago
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 105090
If you see an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro unavailable message or Security Lockout screen - Apple Support
This troubleshooting article explains how to reset an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro if the user has forgotten the passcode and the device shows a “Device Unavailable” or “Security Lockout” message. It provides step-by-step instructions for erasing and resetting the device using your Apple Account credentials, without needing a computer, assuming certain conditions are met (like Find My enabled and an active network connection).
Videos
How to unlock iPhone in null without losing data?
If you want to unlock your iPhone in null without losing data, you can refer to the solution introduced in Part 2. Actually, it is a bit possible to fix the iPhone Security Lockout null error without losing data. After unlocking iPhone in null mode, you can restore your data and settings from a backup.
magfone.com
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]
How many attempts before seeing iPhone Security Lock null?
Apple allows users to enter the wrong passcode up to 10 times on the iPhone Lock Screen. After making several attempts to unlock your iPhone with the wrong passcode, you will see an iPhone Unavailable message or a Security Lockout screen. However, when more than 10 attempts are made to enter the wrong passcode, your iPhone will be in Security Lockout null.
magfone.com
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]
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253886654
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.
UltFone
ultfone.com › unlock-iphone › fix-support-apple-com-iphone-passcode-error.html
Unlock Support Apple com iPhone Passcode (Null) Screen 2025
September 12, 2025 - 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".
Passixer
passixer.com › fix › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null.html
‘You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null’ Error iPhone [Fixes]
You can find the prompt after tapping Erase iPhone/iPad on the lock screen. However, this doesn’t mean the end of the device as you can still unlock it using one of the solutions recommended in the next section of this post. Clearing the error “You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null” can be completed with or without computer.
Joyoshare
joyoshare.com › unlock-iphone-passcode › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null.html
You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null? Solutions Are Here!
FAQs About iPhone Security Lockout Try Again in Null ... The message "You can try your passcode again in null" typically indicates a technical error or bug in your iOS system. In this context, "(null)" usually represents a placeholder or empty ...
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.
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
October 24, 2025 - Forgot iPhone passcode? Download 4uKey for free, and quickly unlock your locked iPhone without waiting. No passcode, Apple ID or tech skills required! ... Part 1. What Does You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null Mean
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 - Part 2. How to Fix iPhone in Security Lockout Null without Data Loss [Limited] Method 1. Restart Your iPhone · Method 2. Update Your iPhone · Method 3. Use Your Old Passcode
iToolab
itoolab.com › unlock › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null
How to Fix "You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null" Error?
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 ...
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253660680
How do I put my passcode in null - Apple Community
iPhone passcode My wife never setup a passcode on her iPhone 10 now lt won’t let her use without passcode 624 3
Quora
quora.com › Is-it-possible-to-get-out-of-iPhone-security-lockout-mode-iPhone-unavailable-with-null-attempts-left-on-passcode-without-erasing-it-to-factory-settings-There-is-no-backup
Is it possible to get out of iPhone security lockout mode (iPhone unavailable) with null attempts left on passcode, without erasing it to factory settings? There is no backup. - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): No. You’ll have to factory reset it, losing the data on it. After someone has entered the incorrect passcode numerous times, the device is locked in order to protect your data from thieves and strangers.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254149873
Passcode in null - Apple Community
Wait for an hour to see if the screen will change to allow you to enter your passcode. If no luck, your only option at this point is to tap Erase and then set the phone up again. If you have a recent backup, you can use that during the set up process. If your iPhone is running iOS 15.2 or ...
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
April 30, 2022 - If you see the passcode screen, you need to turn off your iPhone and start again. To put your showing null iPhone in recovery mode, follow the onscreen snapshots.
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › mac-computers › ia1ne-does-password-null-mean-i-ve-tried-entering.html
Understanding 'Null Password' Issues on Apple Devices - Expert Q&A
I can’t get out of this page for setting up icloud. It just says to set up iCloud enter the password ***** (null). I tried using my apple password ***** nothing happened.
Dr.Buho
drbuho.com › how-to › null-iphone-passcode
How to Fix "iPhone in Security Lockout Null" - Dr.Buho
May 28, 2025 - If you see “This iPhone is in security lockout. You can try your passcode again in (null),” it typically means that the device has been disabled due to too many incorrect passcode attempts.
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254093512
You can try ur passcode again in (null) - Apple Community
Hello, what does (null) mean and what I have to do right now (I don’t have Mac or IPad or any other apple products) ... If you're running an earlier iOS version you will need to use a computer or Mac, and follow this steps · If you forgot your iPhone passcode - Apple Support
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254377239
How to try passcode again in null - Apple Community
too many times, and you'd likely be locked out for good. So, hold it right there, and refer to this link: If you Forgot the Passcode on your iPhone, or your iPhone is Disabled - Apple Support. It would be the one you've always entered.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applehelp › someone tried to log in many times and filed but i do remember the passcode, is there a way to not lose all data?
r/applehelp on Reddit: someone tried to log in many times and filed but i do remember the passcode, is there a way to not lose all data?
April 6, 2022 - this is not the original screenshot. the device that is locked says: “This iPhone is in security lockout. You can try your passcode again in (null), or you can erase and reset this iPhone now.