To protect the iPhone from unauthorized access, Apple uses biometric unlocking methods such as Face ID and Touch ID. However, these are not initially available in certain situations, such as after restarting the device: users must first enter their code before the device can be fully operational. This security precaution was Connor Byrne’s downfall: the student living in the USA can no longer unlock his iPhone because the on-screen keyboard simply no longer allows him to do so. iOS 26 refuses to enter the password on the lock screen
On April 5, Byrne updated his iPhone 13 from iOS 18 to iOS 26.4. Since then, the 21-year-old student has had a problem: he can no longer get access to his iPhone. Byrne used an alphanumeric unlock code, which is advisable for security reasons. The so-called “Haček” is used in the code – the diacritical mark, which is also called the “angular accent”. iOS 18 allowed the character to be entered, but the current operating system does not: it simply no longer appears on the (Czech) on-screen keyboard on the lock screen. Instead, an almost identical character can be found there, but iOS 26 does not accept it. Byrne experimented with various possible solutions: pressing different keys, trying to downgrade iOS and connecting a wired keyboard – all to no avail, The Register reports.
Waiting for an update
Apple Support arranged an appointment at the Genius Bar, but the employee was also unable to help the student. Byrne is not the only one affected: There are other reports in forums like Reddit from users who are stuck entering the code with Haček. According to Byrne, there are some important photos stored on the device that are only available locally. He is now waiting for an update that will fix the error – and in the meantime he is using an Android smartphone.
