iPhone 8 says Unavailable? Use these steps to troubleshoot
If you're worried about being locked out of an unavailable iPhone 8 permanently after losing your passcode, here is how to reset unavailable screen and use your phone again.
Alex Griffith Updated on Mar 27, 2025 11:39 AM
If you've tried everything Apple advices and are still experiencing iPhone 8 unavailable error on the black screen, you may try a third-party solution - iPhone Unlocker, which is an excellent screen unlocking application that stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it simple to removal various of screen locks, including disabled, unavailable, security lockout error, without being overwhelmed by cluttered options or unnecessary steps.
iPhone 8 unavailable screen only appears when you enter too many wrong passcodes.
From entertainment to daily communication and business work, you'll want to unlock your iPhone 8 frequently to do everything. So it's very annoying when you forgot the passcode and get an iPhone 8 unavailable message on the black screen after multiple wrong passcode entries.
There are many of reasons why iPhone 8 says unavailable, but regardless of the cause, we'll provide you with the necessary steps to resolve the issue, helping you unlock the unavailable screen on iPhone and regain control of the device.
Table of Contents
Why does my iPhone 8 show iPhone Unavailable message?
Technically, your iPhone opens automatically when it detects that a passcode is entered correctly. If it fails, the device screen just flashes briefly and asks you to try again. However, if you forget the passcode and enter the wrong one too many times in a row, you will see an iPhone 8 unavailable screen, along with a timer indicating how long there is left to wait before you can try again.
Unless you know your passcode, there is no way to unlock your iPhone 8 without resetting the device and erasing all the content and settings.
Also: How to fix iPhone security lockout error
Use Apple Account to erase and reset unavailable iPhone 8
As soon as you see the iPhone 8 display Unavailable screen, your phone should has a software version with iOS 15 to iOS 16. Apple makes it easier to erase and reset an unavailable iPhone 8 when you've forgotten your passcode than ever before by adding one of the much-requested features to iOS 15.2: Erase iPhone option.
That means if your iPhone 8 has updated to iOS 15.2 and later, you're allowed to reset the iPhone directly from the lock screen using your Apple Account and password without computer.
Read through the steps to see how you get started with this new feature to erase an iPhone so that you can reset the passcode you forgot and regain access to the phone desktop. The process is basically identical on all iPhone models with iOS 15.2 and later.
Steps: How to erase and reset unavailable iPhone 8
To trigger Erase iPhone option, try to enter passcode several times, at least 5 times, until the screen displays iPhone Unavailable, along with Emergency and Erase iPhone options at the bottom sides.
Tap Erase iPhone option, and iOS will generate a screen telling you that the iPhone 8 is in security lockout state and need to erase and reset to get unlocked. You will also get a support.apple.com/passcode link beneath the description, which redirects to an Apple support page for more details about resetting an iPhone when you see unavailable message.
If you can't remember your passcode and know what you're doing, tap Erase iPhone to confirm.
In the next Sign Out of Apple ID screen that opens, enter your Apple Account password to verify your identity and select Erase iPhone once more time, then let the erase process begins.
Along with erasing all personal data, media, apps data and settings, messages, and all accounts and emails, it will also sign you out of Apple ID, delete screen lock passcode, disable Find My iPhone, and remove other items.
Also: How to transfer videos from PC to iPhone without iTunes
Simple enough. Once complete, the iPhone 8 will be returned to factory settings. Now you can go through the setup assistant to set the phone up again, and restore from backup when arriving in App & Data screen. From there, you can opt for "Restore from iCloud Backup," or "Restore from Mac or PC."
If you haven't seen Erase iPhone option on the iPhone 8 after several attempts at the passcode, don't worry. There are a lot of third-party software tools that claims to reset iPhone 8 and unlock unavailable screen.
Our favorite is iPhone Unlocker. It a solid screen removal tool that does exactly what you're needing it to do plus more. One of the most convenient features is the ability to wipe passcode you have forgotten on iPhone or iPad and remove the lock screen, regardless of what displays on there. You will also love the extra features like being able to easily remove Apple ID when it's grayed out, reset Screen Time passcode, bypass remote management, as well as remove Activation Lock while setting up an Apple device.
If you're experiencing the iPhone 8 unavailable problem the first time, read this guide carefully to learn how to use iPhone Unlocker to quickly reset your phone and wipe the screen.
Step: How to unlock iPhone 8 unavailable screen
Step 1: Launch iPhone Unlocker
Assuming you have installed the program on your computer, open it. In terms of performance, iPhone Unlocker offers an efficient solution that doesn't require extra configuration to get started.
To unlock your iPhone 8, simply click "Wipe Passcode" to go on.
Then connect your phone to computer with a working cable.
If it doesn't appear on the program, you can click the "Device connected but not recognized" link to fix it. Once connected, move on to the next step.
Step 2: Confirm your iPhone 8 information
In this stage, check your phone information when the program detects it. By default, you may ignore this step.
Step 3: Download firmware package
Click "Start" button to begin connecting Apple server to download firmware suitable for your iPhone 8 model. It doesn't you have an iPhone 8 or an iPhone 8 Plus.
When the firmware package is downloaded, move on.
Step 4: Begin unlocking iPhone 8
Click the "Unlock" button on the screen, and the application will pop up a box that summarizes what will happen when you go through with the unlock process.
When ready, enter 0000 to confirm, and click the "Unlock" button again.
A circle status bar will appear and show that your unavailable iPhone 8 is being reset and unlocked. This will take a few minutes, but it's worth the wait.
Once the phone restarts, you've successfully unlocked the unavailable screen. You can now set the phone and use it again. You may need to sign into your iCloud account to download anything stored in iCloud, and let the apps installed in the background.
Use computer with iTunes installed to restore iPhone 8
Let's back into the past days. When your iPhone 8 says disabled, or iPhone is disabled connect to iTunes error, Apple advises you to plug the phone into computer and boot from a Recovery mode. From there, you'll be able to erasing all data and installing iOS from scratch using the Restore iPhone option. This method is also applied to restore an iPhone 8 when it says unavailable. Here's how to do.
How to restore unavailable 8 on Windows
Update your iTunes application to the latest version, if necessary. Then connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
Now, get your phone into recovery mode. On your iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus, press and then quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and then quickly release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold down the Side button.
Keep holding down the Side button even if the phone screen goes black and shows the Apple logo. Don't release the Side button just yet.
When a screen with the 'connect to computer' graphic appears, release the Side button.
Go back to your computer. It should pop up a dialog indicating that there's a problem with the iPhone and gives you the choice to Update or Restore. Select Restore to perform a reset. If it doesn't appear, you may manually close iTunes and open it again, select your phone from iTunes window when it appears, then click Restore iPhone in Summary tab.
You'll be asked to confirm the action of restoring your iPhone 8 to factory settings. Click the Restore and Update button to proceed.
After the unavailable iPhone 8 is restored, you have the choice to set up the device as a new phone or restore from a recent backup. During the setup, you may get an Activation Lock screen, prompting you to enter your Apple ID and password. Type your credentials and complete the remaining steps.
Also: How to recover deleted contacts from iPhone without backup
How to restore unavailable 8 on Mac
1. Open Finder app on your Mac and connect the iPhone 8.
2. Boot the phone from Recovery moder using buttons combination.
3. After entering recovery mode, select Restore in Finder.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone 8.
If your phone exits the recovery mode screen while restoring it, you'll need to repeat the initial process to try it again.
