Passcode Exploit: How to Bypass the Lock Screen on an iPhone Running iOS 6.1

Even though iOS 6.1 was only released a couple of weeks ago, hackers released evasi0n a couple days after. Evasi0n, the only iPhone 5 jailbreak currently on the market, is the most popular jailbreak in history—with nearly 7 million iOS devices already hacked in the mere four days after its release.

Image Credit forbes.com

Well, now it seems that iOS 6.1 is being taken advantage of again, this time with a simple exploit figured out by YouTube user S1riOS6, which lets you bypass the lock screen on an iPhone running iOS 6.1, allowing you to access the contacts, see the call history, listen to voicemails, and even make calls.

In order to bypass the lock screen's security code, this is what you'll have to do.

• Slide to unlock and type in a wrong passcode.
• Cancel the passcode screen and slide to unlock again.
• From there, tap Emergency Call.
• Hold the Power button (on the top of the device) until it warrants the slide to turn off. Hit Cancel.
• The taskbar at the top of your iPhone should now be light blue.
• Dial 112 (an emergency number like 911), tap the green call button and hit the red button to cancel it right after.
• Tap the Power button to turn off the screen, hit the Power or Home button, and slide to unlock once more.
• Now you'll want to hold the Power button again for about 3 seconds and tap Emergency Call right before the screen changes to slide to turn off.

The last step is the most difficult part of the process because the timing has to be perfect. Don't worry, it took me about five or sex times to perfect it. You can also watch the video below, which shows me performing the exploit on my iPhone 5.

While the exploit allows you to enter the phone, you'll only be able to access the contacts, phone dialer, and photos. If you try to access any other part of the phone, you'll be sent back to the lock screen.

Note: Sometimes, when performing the final step, you'll be sent to a black screen like in the picture below. If this happens, you'll have to start all over

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UPDATE: Apple issued a statement to CNET about fixing this issue soon: "Apple takes user security very seriously ... We are aware of this issue, and will deliver a fix in a future software update."

UPDATE II: Apple has released a new update (6.1.2) that not only fixes the passcode bypass exploit, but also a fix for a battery drain bug that impacted users of Exchange servers. You can either get it through OTA by going to Settings, General and then Software Update or you can head over to OSXDaily and download it from there.

So, it won't last long, but even then, there are still ways you can get around the lock screen if you really want to.