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Got iPhone unavailable message? Here're 4 solutions to fix it!
So you forgot your passcode and the iPhone says unavailable after repeated incorrect passcode entries? There are several options to fix iPhone Unavailable screen.
Enter wrong passcode too many times and see iPhone unavailable message? Wondering how to make unavailable iPhone fix? Here's exactly what you need when iPhone is unavailable.
What can I do if my iPhone says unavailable?
Apple implements security lockout measure on the iPhone if you set a screen passcode to protect your device and data from unauthorized access.
You will see iPhone Unavailable screen after the wrong passcode has been entered more than five times in a row, and it begin locking you out of your phone temporarily.
You can use your Apple Account to erase your iPhone unavailable via Erase iPhone option, iCloud Erase This Device, or enter Recovery mode on iTunes after connecting a computer.
If you're looking for a quick way to unlock your iPhone, iPhone Unlocker is perfect.
You have 5 times of typing in your passcode before the iPhone shows iPhone Unavailable on the login screen.
There is no denying that iPhone is one of the safest mobile devices on this planet. And almost every iPhone user tends to set a screen passcode which will only allow its owner to access the phone. However, if the very person — you, forget the passcode and input wrong attempts more than 5 times, you'll get an iPhone Unavailable message on your iPhone screen with a timer indicating the lockout time ranging from one minute to an hour, which is pretty irritating.
If you're trapped in that situation, this comprehensive guide is here to help you know about everything about iPhone unavailable: What does it mean, why you see unavailable or security lockout error, and how can you fix this unavailable message on iPhone. Let's dive in.
What does iPhone Unavailable mean?
Why does my iPhone say iPhone unavailable? Apple values your sensitive data and privacy. Once you set a passcode to screen, its security lockout mechanism begins working to safeguard your device against unauthorized access to sensitive data.
You can enter a wrong passcode 5 times before you see iPhone unavailable screen — this is your chance to unlock your phone without delay. However, if you continue to enter wrong passcode too many times, iPhone Unavailable appears on the screen and temporarily locks you out of your phone with a countdown timer. After you exhaust the 10th attempt, you will be end up security lockout permanently.
And the bad thing is, you will need to restore your iPhone.
How long will be in iPhone Unavailable state?
iPhone Unavailable only appears after too many times of incorrect passcode attempts to protect your data from theft. And at the same time, you will be locked temporarily with a timer. The duration of lockout times on the 'iPhone Unavailable try again' screen differs depending on the number of wrong attempts, The more failed attempts you do, the longer it is.
After 5 attempts: iPhone Unavailable try again in 1 minute
After 6 attempts: iPhone Unavailable try again in 5 minutes
After 7 attempts: iPhone Unavailable try again in 15 minutes
After 8-9 attempts: iPhone Unavailable try again in 60 minutes
After 10 attempts: iPhone Unavailable (no timer, permanent lockout)
After you have run out of all your attempts, the iPhone will need to be reset and erased. Of course, if the "Erase Data" option is turned on in your passcode settings previously, it will restore the iPhone automatically.
Don't panic. When you enter the wrong passcode 5 times, the iPhone Unavailable message appears on your login screen and it set a timer for you to try your passcode again after the "try again in [time]" message has elapsed.
If you truly have forgotten the passcode, or your iPhone screen only shows iPhone unavailable and Emergency without "try again" prompt, you'll have to erase your data and set it up again by resetting the iPhone as a part of unlocking your iPhone from unavailable state.
Thankfully, there are ways to safely erase and restore your iPhone. You can then access your data by restoring from a backup, and download any files you sync with iCloud.
How to reset iPhone Unavailable using Erase iPhone feature on the screen (iOS 15.2 or later)
Apple knows how painful it is when you forgot the passcode, and now allows you to use Apple ID and password to unlock an iPhone that says iPhone unavailable on lock screen by resetting the device to factory settings.
Before restoring the unavailable iPhone, make sure that your phone is running iOS 15.2 or newer, you know your Apple Account that is used to set up the device, and it is connecting to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
Here is how to use the Erase iPhone on the screen to fix iPhone Unavailable error.
1. Tap Erase iPhone option appeared in the bottom-right corner of the screen. If you have updated to iOS 17 and newer, you will see "Forgot Passcode?" instead.
Note, you will need to enter your passcode more than five times to be able to see Erase iPhone button. Still no option there? Resetting your iPhone with iPhone Unlocker in the next method.
2. Tap Erase iPhone again to confirm in the next page. It will warn you that performing this action will erase all your content and settings on a security lockout iPhone. You can restore your data using an iPhone backup later.
3. Enter your Apple ID password (not the screen passcode) to sign out of your Apple ID.
4. Tap Erase iPhone to begin resetting the iPhone.
5. Recover your data during setup. When the reset process is completed, you're able to set up your iPhone from scratch or restore your data and settings from a backup if it's available.
You will also use the erase feature when you see iPad Unavailable error on the iPad screen.
How to restore iPhone Unavailable from recovery mode with iTunes
To restore an iPhone that says iPhone Unavailable with iTunes, connect the phone to a computer and get it into recovery mode to reset. Ensure you have the iTunes up to date.
Step 1. Shut down your lockout iPhone. Unplug your phone from the computer if it's connected.
Step 2. Place it to recovery mode. You will have to press and hold the specific button and plug the iPhone to computer simultaneously.
boot the unavailable iPhone into recovery mode to reset and reinstall iOS.
For iPhone 8 and later, iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd gen): use Side button
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: use the Volume down button.
For iPhone 6s and earlier or iPhone SE (1st gen): use the Home button.
Don't release the button even if the Apple logo appears. You will still keep holding the button a while until you see an image with a computer and cable.
Step 3. Once iTunes detects your iPhone in unavailable mode, a message box will come into sight telling that your iPhone has a problem and need to be restored or updated. If you have a Mac, run Finder app and you will get the similar box.
Step 4. Select Restore. Don't select Update as Apple requires that you erase your data and perform iPhone unavailable factory reset. If you insist on choosing Update, you will be back to unavailable screen.
Restore an unavailable iPhone to factory defaults.
Step 5. Select Restore and Update to confirm when another box comes up.
Step 6. Allows the computer to download and install the latest iOS software for your device.
After the iPhone is erased and restored to original factory defaults, You'll be given the Setup Assistant to rebuild the phone and restore the data using a backup.
How to unlock iPhone Unavailable screen via iPhone Unlocker
It won't be problem when you enter wrong passcode repeatedly and consequently see the iPhone Unavailable message. Apple's routes always work to help you restore the iPhone and regain control. What to do if there's no "Erase iPhone" on the screen, or your iPhone won't connect to computer, or even the iTunes can't reset your phone from Recovery mode?
You're not alone. If you're specifically looking for an app that can quickly unlock your iPhone when it's locked in unavailable screen, iPhone Unlocker is for you. Lives up to its description, the app offers an elegant and easy-to-use interface that lets you wipe the login screen passcode you forgot effectively, and remove the locks on iPhone and iPad, including unavailable, security lockout, and disabled.
Additionally, the app comes with usefully features to do more things, including the ability to reset Apple ID when it's inactive, delete Screen Time passcode when locked, bypass Activation Lock, as well as get rid of remote management lock (MDM), making it an ideal all-in-one solution for Apple users to remove different of screen locks on the devices.
The application includes an easy-to-follow wizard of unlocking iPhone not available message, let's have a look at how it works.
Step 1: Launch iPhone Unlocker
Launch iPhone Unlocker on your Mac or PC. Choose 'Wipe Passcode' and click "Start."
Step 2: Confirm your device information
Connect your device to the computer and wait it to appear on the app window. If it isn't detected, click the "Device connected but not recognized" link to fix it. It's pretty easy.
Then confirm your device information and hit "Start" button.
Step 3: Download iOS firmware for your iPhone
Wait the application to download the appropriate firmware package onto your computer.
Once downloaded, an alert window jumps out letting you know that the following process will erase your iPhone and reinstall the iOS software. Enter "0000" to confirm.
Step 4: Begin unlocking process
Press the "Unlock" button to start the unlock process immediately.
It may take a few minutes. Keep your device connected steadily.
After that, there's no more Unavailable or Security Lockout screen on your device. You can set up the iPhone from the beginning and set a new passcode.
First, log in to iCloud Find My using your Apple ID and password which are also used to set up the locked iPhone. You can use your iPad, Mac, PC or any smartphone that can open a browser.
Wait for a few seconds, all your devices under the same Apple ID will be located on a map automatically.
Click All Devices at the top. And then select your unavailable iPhone from the list.
Then hit the Erase This Device button, which will give you a warning message that all your content and settings on the iPhone will be deleted completely.
Click Next again to confirm on the Erase iPhone box.
After confirmation, enter your Apple ID password and it will start erasing the iPhone and remove the unavailable screen.
To not see unavailable screen on the iPhone in the future, you can pick a passcode that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess. And try not to let your iPhone out of your sight so that others won't have the chance to type in wrong passcodes which may cause your iPhone to be unavailable. Besides, backing up your device regularly. Even if you have to reset the iPhone unavailable, your data will be recovered from backup.
FAQs
What is iPhone Unavailable?
The "iPhone Unavailable" message appears following repeated unsuccessful attempts to enter the iPhone passcode. Your phone and data will be inaccessible temporarily.
How many tries to unlock iPhone when it says unavailable?
If you forget the passcode and get iPhone unavailable message after wrong passcode tries, you have a maximum of 5 tries left. After that, your iPhone is in security lockout permanently and needs to be reset.
What to do when my iPhone unavailable has no erase option?
You can connect your iPhone to iTunes on computer and erase data to unlock it from recovery mode. Or use a dedicated tool, something like Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker to quickly unlock the screen.
Why there is no timer on iPhone unavailable screen?
It's possible that you have exhausted 10 times passcode attempts or iPhone isn't connect to an active internet. Regardless of the reason, you have to reset the iPhone.
How do I fix iPhone unavailable without computer?
Apple introduces an "Erase iPhone" feature in iOS 15.2 and later, with which you can restore your iPhone from unavailable without computer. See details in method 1 in this page.
When can I unlock my iPhone saying unavailable?
Check the "iPhone Unavailable try again" on the screen, you will get a specific lockout period from the timer before trying again with the passcode.
Why iPhone unavailable timer does not go down?
Currently, there is no clear reason why the timer on iPhone unavailable screen gets stuck. If you can't get out of it, use the methods outlined above to unlock your iPhone and recover your data.
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