Unlock Tips

iPhone Unavailable How to Fix [5 Proven Ways]

by Anna Sherry   Updated on 2024-04-16 / Update for  Unlock iPhone

I forgot my iPhone password and I tried again and again and now it says iPhone Unavailable message. What should I do?

--From Apple Community

iPhone Unavailable message appears on the lock screen after you enter wrong passcodes many times, which makes you very concerned about not getting into your iPhone as many iPhone users suffer from in the Community. To bypass iphone unavailable screen could be a nightmare if you don’t have the right approach. To help you out, this article will explain what does “iPhone Unavailable” mean and show you 5 proven ways on how to bypass iphone unavailable.

What Does “iPhone Unavailable” Mean?

The iPhone Unavailable lock screen is a security measure implemented by Apple to prevent unauthorized access to a locked device. This message typically appears after several unsuccessful attempts to enter the correct passcode. The purpose of this lockout feature is to deter brute force attacks where someone might try numerous combinations to guess the passcode.

How long does iphone unavailable last? The amount of time you have to wait increases with each incorrect passcode attempt.

  • iPhone Unavailable Try again in 1 Minute: This occurs after 5 wrong passcode attempts.
  • iPhone Unavailable Try again in 5 Minutes: After 6 incorrect attempts, the wait time increases to 5 minutes.
  • iPhone Unavailable Try again in 15 Minutes: If you enter the wrong code 7 times, the wait time jumps to 15 minutes.
  • iPhone Unavailable Try again in 60 Minutes: After 8 and 9 attempts, you'll see "iPhone Unavailable, try again in 60 minutes
  • iPhone Unavailable Try again in 8 Hours: There's a significant jump after the 7th wrong attempt.This is a strong security measure to deter forceful attempts to unlock the device and protect your data.

Now that we know why iPhone says unavailable on lock screen and stops you from trying passcodes to get into it again, you can watch the video to understand the whole process. After that you can follow the 5 common methods below to fix iPhone Unavailable screen step by step.

How to Bypass iPhone Unavailable Without Passcode - 4uKey

The most straightforward and proven solution to resolve the issue of iPhone unavailable lock screen is Tenorshare 4uKey. As the most convenient iphone unavailable solution, 4ukey help you bypass iphone unavailable in a few clicks, without the need for a passcode or Apple ID.

Moreover, it is compatible with the latest iOS/iPadOS 17 and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Give this convenient and straightforward tool a try to easily fix the problem of your iPhone being unavailable.

How to Get Rid of iPhone Unavailable via 4ukey?

  • First, you need to launch 4uKey on a computer and click Start. Connect your unavailable iPhone to it via a USB cable.

    start 4uKey to fix iphone unavailable screen
  • 4uKey will match the latest iOS firmware. Click on the Download button to download it on your computer.

    download 4uKey to bypass iphone unavailable
  • After that, the program will automatically start removing the passcode you forgot. It takes a few minutes.

    fix iphone unavailable with computer- 4ukey is removing the lock screen
  • Wait for a few minutes, the forgotten passcode will be removed, and iPhone Unavailable messages will disappear.

    iphone unavailable fix - 4ukey unlocks successfully

iPhone Unavailable Fix by Waitting for the Timer to Expire

Waiting for the time to expire is the simplest and fast way to get rid of iphone unavailable as long as you remember the correct passcode. Once the timer has expired, just enter the correct passcode and you will regain access to your iPhone without any further complications.

Tips: After 10 wrong attempts, the iPhone gets completely locked and you will need to take some measures to get rid of it.

How to Fix iPhone Unavailable by Erasing iPhone(Apple ID Required)

If you can't remember your iPhone passcode and enter the wrong passcode, it will display not only the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout message, but also the Erase iPhone/Forgot Passcode option, which helps directly erases your iPhone on the lock screen. Follow the below steps to unlock iphone unavailable by erasingg your iPhone:

Requirements: Your iPhone is running iOS 15.2 or later, including iOS 17, has access to a cellular or Wi-Fi network, and has Apple ID signed in.

  • First of all, keep entering the passcode and see the Forgot Passcode? option on the bottom right corner.
  • Tap on it, and it will notify you about erasing iPhone and losing data. Tap on Start iPhone Reset to go ahead.
  • Enter your Apple ID password, then the erase process will begin. Once done, you can unlock your iPhone and set it up as new.

    iphone unavailable fix via erase iphone ios 17

In the lock screen of iOS 15.2 to iOS 16, instead of Forgot Passcode and Start iPhone Reset option, it shows Erase iPhone. But the process and requirements are all the same.

iphone unavailable via erase iphone

iPhone unavailable Fix with iTunes

When iPhone says iPhone unavailable, you can use iTunes (or the Finder on a Mac) to restore your phone to its factory settings. Since sometimes iTunes cannot detect the unavailable iPhone when it is locked, follow the below-mentioned steps.

  • Connect iPhone to iTunes or Finder on your computer and put it into recovery mode.

  • iTunes will pop up a message window saying iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. Then go with the restore option.

    iphone unavailable fix with itunes
  • Your iPhone gets restored in a few minutes. iPhone Unavailable is fixed and you'll see the Hello screen after it restarts.

iPhone Unavailable How to Fix via Find My iPhone

There is another way to fix iPhone unavailable screen without computer. With Find My enabled across your devices, you can erase your unavailable iPhone wirelessly on iCloud.com with another device. It also needs Apple ID login and network.

  • Open icloud.com on a browser, and sign in to your Apple ID, go to Find iPhone.
  • Click All Devices on the top bar. Select your iPhone that says unavailable, and proceed with the erase option.

    how to fix iphone unavailable with computer - erase iphone successfully
  • Since no firmware is involved, this process could be faster. And you will soon get access to your iPhone again.

Comparison of 5 Ways to Fix iPhone Unavailable

When faced with an iPhone Unavailable lock screen, it's essential to consider your options carefully. Now, let's compare the five ways above and weigh the pros and cons of each method to determine the most suitable approach for your specific circumstances.

MethodTime CostData Loss Risk Security With passcode Verdict
Wait for Timer HighLowHighYesMay not work reliably, time-consuming if timer long
Erase iPhoneMediumHighLowNoData loss
4uKeyLowHighHighNoQuick, secure, and unlock iPhone without passcode
iTunesMediumHighHighNoData loss, complex process
Find My iPhoneMediumLowHighNoRequires prior setup of Find My iPhone, data loss

While the other methods have their advantages, such as simplicity (Wait for Timer, Erase iPhone), official support (iTunes), or remote capabilities (Find My iPhone), 4uKey iOS Unlocker stands out as the preferred solution due to its versatility in efficiently resolving all iPhone lock problem without passcode, including iPhone Unavailable screen.

iPhone Unavailable Fixed

Your iPhone is locked with iPhone Unavailable screen if forgot passcode. But follow the 5 methods mentioned above, you can unlock iphone unavailable screen easily. We highly recommend Tenorshare 4uKey for iPhone unavailable fix with least limitations. Do set a passcode that is easy to remember next time so you will not face this issue anymore.

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