How to unlock 'support apple com passcode' screen - a full guide
Too many attempts to unlock the iPhone with the wrong passcode triggers the black iPhone Unavailable support.apple.com/passcode screen. Fortunately, there're solutions.
Alex Griffith Updated on Feb 27, 2025 7:51 PM
If your iPhone locks you out with a 'support.apple.com/passcode' iPhone Unavailable error, iPhone Unlocker is specialized screen unlocking software that will quickly remove the screen lock, fix error, and reset your passcode at ease.
If you forgot your iPhone passcode and see 'support.apple.com/passcode' link, you have to erase and reset your device.
The 'support.apple.com/passcode,' (formerly 'support.apple.com/iphone/passcode') iPhone Unavailable screen is a troubling sign. You have forgotten your passcode and the iPhone is in security lockout — but all hope is not lost!
No matter you see 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen on an iPhone or iPad that's disabled or unavailable, there are a few options to help you fix the 'support.apple.com/passcode' error. In this article, we'll talk about why does this 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen appears, how do you unlock your lock-out iPhone or iPad, and how can you avoid it in the future.
Table of Contents
What does the 'support.apple.com/passcode' link mean?
A 'support.apple.com/passcode' — formerly 'support.apple.com/iphone/passcode' — on iPhone is an error screen that appears when the iOS detects an authorized access with invalid passcode, causing the iPhone to lock itself and displaying an black screen with text describing the problem; officially known as an "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" error.
From iOS 17/ iPadOS or later, the iPhone (or iPad) saying Unavailable comes with a 'try again in [x] minute' timer indicating the security lockout time, as well as a 'support.apple.com/passcode' link that you can input to a web browser for a more complete explanation of the error from Apple Support and get solutions to bypass it.
Tip: You should also see 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen on iPad if it's locked.
What causes the 'support.apple.com/passcode' to appear?
The iPhone Unavailable 'support.apple.com/passcode' issue can be caused when the passcode is entered incorrectly too many times. In most cases, there will be a countdown timer showing when your iPhone will be available to accept passcode attempt. At the same time, if you really forgot your passcode, you're given "Erase iPhone" (iOS15.2 - iOS 16) or "Forgot Passcode?" (iOS 17 or later) button at the bottom corner of the screen to completely erase data and reset the iPhone with your Apple Account and password.
Our guide below has you covered when it comes to fixing support.apple.com/passcode on iPhone and iPad if you've forgotten the passcode.
Also: How to unlock Samsung phone if you forgot passcode
How to unlock 'support.apple.com/passcode' without computer
The most convenient way of unlocking an iPhone with 'support.apple.com/passcode' link, if you forget the passcode, is to use your Apple Account and through the "Erase iPhone" or "Forgot Passcode" button at the bottom right of screen, no computer required.
Prerequisites
- The iPhone has software running iOS 15.2 and later
- You remember the iCloud credentials signed with the device
- The iPhone has access to Wi-Fi or cellular network
If you've confirmed the above and are ready to reset your iPhone, go the following steps:
1. Tap "Forgot Passcode?"
The button is located in the bottom-right corner of the iPhone Unavailable screen. You will see an "Erase iPhone" button if the device is on iOS 15.2 - 16.
No timer or no "Forgot Passcode" appears? You'll need to erase and reset your iPhone with the method below.
2. Tap "Start iPhone Reset."
You will also see the 'support.apple.com/passcode' link on the iPhone Reset screen if you ignore it in the first screen.
3. Enter your Apple Account password.
This is to verify your identity and confirm that you want to wipe iPhone data without a passcode.
4. Tap Erase iPhone.
If you're using an eSIM, you can choose to keep your eSIM.
After your iPhone is erased and reboots, the 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen disappears. You'll be able to restore your iPhone data using a backup.
How to unlock 'support.apple.com/passcode' without passcode via iPhone Unlocker
iPhone Unlocker is hugely popular, and for good reason – it's versatile, easy to use, and supports removal of different screen locks on iPhone and iPad quickly if you forgot the passcode. Assuming there is no Erase option on the 'support.apple.com/passcode' iPhone Unavailable screen, you may go with iPhone Unlocker to pull your device back from the brink.
The software isn't just an app. It's a life-saver. It also includes tools to remove a forgotten Apple ID, reset Screen Time passcode, remove MDM lock, and even get rid of iTunes encryption settings.
Ready to go? Follow these steps to learn how to unlock an iPhone if you forget the passcode and bypass 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen using the iPhone Unlocker software.
Also: How to fix iPad Security Lockout
Step 1: Select "Wipe Passcode"
Open iPhone Unlocker on your computer. For the purpose of this article, we're going to unlock 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen without passcode, select "Wipe Passcode" tool from its main interface.
Next, connect your iPhone into the computer. If you don't see a device image on the software, click "Device connected but not recognized" link onscreen to fix it.
Step 2: Confirm your device information
Go ahead and confirm your iPhone model information. Typically, you won't touch anything in this step.
Step 3: Download iOS firmware
Click the "Start" button to download the most appropriate iOS firmware for your locked iPhone.
Step 4: Begin unlocking iPhone and resetting passcode
After the download, you're ready to fix 'support.apple.com/passcode' problem on your iPhone.
Click the "Unlock" on the screen. when a dialog opens up, enter "0000" in the field to confirm.
Again, press the "Unlock" button. The software will begin resetting the iPhone screen and passcode, which also erases all you data on the device.
When you see a "successfully" window, disconnect your iPhone from the computer.
Now you can set the phone up and use it again.
Anyone looking for detailed advice on locally move photos back to your iPhone would be well advised to visit this page: How to transfer photos from PC to iPhone without iTunes
Fix 'support.apple.com/passcode' by restoring from iTunes
Recovery mode is a specialized tool that allows Apple users to troubleshoot and fix software issues with their iPad and iPhone while connecting to a Mac or PC, including the ability to reset iPhone unavailable or Security Lockout 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen after too many wrong passcode attempts.
Make sure your computer has iTunes installed and already updated to the latest version.
To boot in Recovery mode, turn your iPhone off normally, and then connect it to your computer and press the appropriate button to enter Recovery mode.
- On your iPhone with Face ID: hold the Side button.
- On iPhone 7: hold the Volume Down button
- On iPhone 6s and earlier or iPhone SE: hold the Home button
Keep holding the button for a while until the Recovery mode screen appears. It should look like an image of a computer (or iTunes) and cable.
Tip: You should see a 'support.apple.com/iphone/restore' link on the black screen.
Next, open iTunes on your Windows PC. Click your phone icon from the top center of the window, then in Summary section, select Restore iPhone and wait for it to restore and reset your iPhone. If you have a backup of your data, select Restore Backup and follow onscreen prompts.
For those who are running a Mac, open Finder, locate your phone from sidebar, then select Restore when you have the option to Restore or Update in the opening dialog.
Important: if iTunes fails to restore your iPhone in Recovery mode — the iPhone restarts and display 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen again — try turning off your iPhone and repeating the previous steps again.
Also: How to recover deleted files from SD Card on Mac
Reset 'support.apple.com/passcode' by erasing iPhone from iCloud
1. Sign in to iCloud.com with your Apple Account.
You can do this through a web browser on a computer or any available mobile phone.
2. Select Find My from iCloud menu.
We're using Find My feature to perform a factory reset on the iPhone that displays 'support.apple.com/passcode' remotely.
3. Expand "All Devices" list and select your iPhone
From the menu at the top, select your iPhone from the list. You will see its location on the map.
4. Click "Erase This Device."
This will erase the iPhone's data and restore it to original factory settings, which eventually unlocks 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen. You'll be given the option to restore data using a backup during setup.
5. Enter your Apple Account password to confirm.
You'll see a pop up window saying "Erase iPhone."
Click "Next" button and then verify your iCloud account information. Ensure that the password you enter is the one used for Apple Account associated with the unavailable iPhone.
Bypass 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen without losing data (a possible way)
Apple adds a new feature named "Passcode Reset" in iOS software, allowing you to bypass 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen and unlock the iPhone without data loss in the case that you've forgotten passcode.
Before you begin:
- You recently changed passcodes within 72 hours on the iPhone
- The iPhone has to be running iOS 17 or later
- You must immediately change passcode on iPhone after signing in with your old passcode.
1. On iPhone 'support.apple.com/passcode' screen, tap Forgot Passcode?.
2. Tap Enter Previous Passcode.
3. Input your old passcode. Act this as soon as quickly.
4. Enter a new passcode. It will be used to unlock the iPhone soon. No data loss.
If you still can't bypass iPhone 'support.apple.com/passcode/ screen without passcode, there's only one option left: contact Apple Support. You may start your support request online or send the device to an Apple Store for help.
Avoid triggering iPhone Unavailable 'support.apple.com/passcode' in the future
The only way to avoid the unavailable iPhone 'support.apple.com/passcode' issue in the future is to not enter the incorrect passcode too many times — you may save your passcode and keep them in a physically secure location. Plus, the safest thing you can do is always make regular backup of your data to iCloud, Mac, or iTunes for Windows.
