You are correct, she would have had to set up a password to get locked out like this. Answer from StoniePony on reddit.com
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).
October 15, 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
August 2, 2024 - This iPhone is in security lockout. You can try your passcode again in (null), or you can erase and reset this iPhone now. Do not worry if you face this issue. Here we will fix this iPhone security lockout null problem.
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?
December 26, 2021 - 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.
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]
How to enter iPhone passcode in null?
In fact, it is impossible to enter your iPhone passcode in null. When seeing the support.apple.com/iphone/passcode null error, you can try the above solutions to fix the error. Or you can directly using MagFone iPhone Unlocker to remove the screen passcode soon.
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 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]
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 - If the initial steps don't work, you may need to try tapping Erase iPhone to get your device out of null mode. Let's take a look at how to. Step 1. On the iPhone Unavailable screen, tap Erase iPhone in the bottom right corner. Step 2. Tap Erase iPhone again, then enter your Apple ID password in the next screen. Step 3. After signing out of your Apple ID, tap Erase iPhone to confirm. Step 1. From the iPhone's Security Lockout screen, tap Forgot Passcode?
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 - Continued attempts result in a security lockout with the message "This iPhone is in security lockout. You can try your passcode again in (null), or you can erase and reset this iPhone now."
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255607218
You can try your passcode again in (null) - Apple Community
May 8, 2024 - The better response to a complete lockout message should have not show the message You can try your passcode again in (null) at all, this way people, users, or humans can not misinterpreted the message that there is still a chance to unlock the phone without losing their data.
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 ...
iMobie
imobie.com › home › iphone unlocker › how to unlock iphone security lockout
iPhone Security Lockout Meaning and 4 Ways to Fix
August 15, 2025 - When your iPhone displays the message “Security Lockout“, it means that too many incorrect passcode attempts have been made, triggering a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized access.
Passixer
passixer.com › fix › you-can-try-your-passcode-again-in-null.html
'You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null' Error iPhone [Fixes]
December 26, 2025 - “You Can Try Your Passcode Again in Null” is the error message that comes on the Unavailable/Security Lockout screen on iPhone or iPad. This message appears when an iPhone user enters the wrong passcode 10 times consecutively and there’s no attempt available for you to try out.
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
From your device's Lock Screen, try to enter your passcode until the "[Device] Unavailable" screen appears. ... On the Security Lockout screen, tap Start [Device] Reset to confirm. Enter your Apple Account password to sign out of your Apple Account on your device.
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!
December 11, 2024 - Solution 1. Use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker HOT · Solution 2. Fix iPhone via iTunes · Solution 3. Fix iPhone via iCloud · Solution 4. Use iOS Feature to Fix iPhone · FAQs About iPhone Security Lockout Try Again in Null
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › mac-computers › irln1-phone-security-lockout-says-when-turn.html
How to Resolve iPhone Security Lockout and Access Your Photos
February 18, 2022 - Security lockout occurs after repeated incorrect passcode entries, disabling access temporarily. Since the screen broke, Touch ID or Face ID may fail, complicating entry. Unfortunately, bypassing the lockout without erasing data isn’t possible ...
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
November 17, 2025 - Before reaching the 10 failed attempts, your device will display a message indicating that you can try again after a specific wait time (e.g., “Try again in [number] minutes/hours”). If the timer is still showing, you still have chances ...
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 › 253886654
Try passcode again in null - Apple Community
May 10, 2022 - 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 ...
AppGeeker
appgeeker.com › unlock › security-lockout-iphone.html
What to Do When iPhone is in Security Lockout - 3 Fixes
If you go past the 9th guess and have still not got the correct passcode entered, you'll see the message "Security Lockout, Try again in 15 minutes" on your iPhone screen.
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. The time to back up your data is before disaster happens. Apple makes it r...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applehelp › aunt says this appeared as soon as they entered mexico on their trip (little cousins phone) and got no password attempts. what could have caused this?
r/applehelp on Reddit: Aunt says this appeared as soon as they entered Mexico on their trip (little cousins phone) and got no password attempts. What could have caused this?
May 23, 2022 - The phrasing makes it clear that (null) usually displays the amount of time before your next try to enter a passcode. If too many attempts have been made, it should say, “You have no more passcode tries remaining,” instead of “You can ...
JustAnswer
justanswer.com › smartphones › nx6ua-iphone-security-lockout-located-passcodes.html
iPhone Security Lockout: Expert Solutions and Advice
My iPhone is in security lockout. I have located passcodes. Message states “You can try your passcode again in (null),