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Your iPhone says iPhone Unavailable, and you’re unable to access or use it? Don’t panic; this is a common passcode-related issue on iPhones that you can fix on your own without contacting Apple. This post will walk you through how to fix the “iPhone Unavailable” screen and regain access to your device.
What causes the iPhone Unavailable?
If you’re wondering what’s causing the iPhone Unavailable screen, the answer is multiple failed passcode attempts in a row. That said, if you see the iPhone Unavailable screen, it means someone must have entered the wrong passcode numerous times in a row on the iPhone’s Lock Screen.
The iPhone shows the iPhone Unavailable screen to discourage further passcode tries, which is an Apple security mechanism designed to protect iPhone passcodes from brute force attacks.
Many times, you may see Security Lockout after iPhone Unavailable; both alerts indicate that your iPhone is locked and unavailable for security reasons. If the same thing happens on an earlier iOS version, you’ll see an “iPhone is disabled” screen, which means the same as iPhone Unavailable.
5 Ways to Fix iPhone Unavailable on Lock Screen
Now that you know what the iPhone Unavailable message means and why it happens, how do you fix it? Read on for five tried-and-true solutions.
Method 1: Enter Passcode Correctly
When an iPhone Unavailable message appears, it frequently comes with a timer that indicates to try again in [number] minutes. When the timer expires, the iPhone Unavailable message goes away, and the lock screen returns, allowing you to enter your passcode again.
If you see the timer and still remember your passcode, all you have to do to get rid of the iPhone Unavailable screen and access your device is to wait patiently for the timer to end and then enter your passcode correctly. This is the only way to fix the iPhone Unavailable screen without erasing or losing your data.
However, if you have forgotten your passcode, there is no timer on the iPhone Unavailable screen, or the timer is showing for too long, and you can’t wait, you’ll have to utilize one of the following fixes, which means you may lose your data.
Method 2: Using the Erase iPhone Button
Many times, you will see an Erase iPhone option in the bottom right corner of the iPhone Unavailable screen. This option allows you to erase and reset your iPhone using your Apple ID password, which is a quick fix for the iPhone’s Unavailable screen without a computer. You just need to do the following.
1. Tap the Erase iPhone button when you see it on the iPhone Unavailable screen.
2. Tap Erase iPhone again on the next page to confirm that you want to erase this iPhone.
3. Enter the password for the Apple ID that is currently logged in on this iPhone and tap Go.
The Erase iPhone option appears if the unavailable iPhone has the Find My iPhone feature enabled and is connected to the network. If there is no Erase iPhone option on the screen, proceed to the next method.
Method 3: Using iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer
If none of the aforementioned fixes work for you, iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer is a fantastic option to fix the iPhone Unavailable issue. It is an expert and trustworthy iPhone unlocking app for removing screen lock passcodes, Screen Time passcodes, Apple IDs, and MDM from iOS devices.
You need to download and install iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer on your PC and then follow the simple steps below to fix your unavailable iPhone.
Step 1: On your PC, launch iSumsoft iPhone Passcode Refixer and select the Unlock Lock Screen option.
Step 2: On the next page of the program, click the Start button to confirm that you want to utilize this option to fix your unavailable iPhone.
Step 3: Now, you need to connect your unavailable iPhone to your computer via a USB cable and boot it into recovery mode. After that, click Next, and the tool will detect your iPhone automatically.
Tip: To boot your unavailable iPhone into recovery mode, first press and immediately release the volume up button, then do the same with the volume down button, and finally hold down the Side button until you see the Connect to Your Computer screen.
Step 4: Then, you need to download the latest firmware package necessary to unlock your unavailable iPhone to your computer. To do this, simply choose where you want to save the firmware and click Download, and the program will automatically begin downloading the firmware.
Step 5: Finally, click the Unlock button, and the software will immediately start unlocking your unavailable iPhone. The rest is to wait for the unlocking process to be finished while keeping the iPhone connected to the computer.
Step 6: Soon, you will see the words “Unlocked screen successfully” on the software screen, at which point your iPhone is out of unavailable mode and restarted. You can then set it up and use it again.
Method 4: Using iTunes or Finder
Resetting your iPhone to factory settings using iTunes or Finder is a common fix when it stops working due to a passcode issue or software glitch. Here is how to fix the iPhone Unavailable screen using iTunes or Finder on a computer.
Step 1: Connect your unavailable iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and put it in recovery mode.
Step 2: Launch iTunes on your PC (you’ll need to download and install it if it’s not already installed). If you are using a Mac, open Finder, an application that comes with macOS.
Step 3: Click the Restore or Restore iPhone button in the iTunes or Finder window and then adhere to the on-screen directions to restore your unavailable iPhone to factory settings.
Method 5: Using Find My iPhone
Finally, you can utilize the Find My iPhone app’s Erase iPhone option to remotely erase your iPhone in order to fix the iPhone Unavailable issue. This method works provided that your unavailable iPhone has Find My iPhone turned on, and you can sign in to your Apple ID on another device.
Step 1: In a browser on another available device, sign in to icloud.com using the Apple ID and password you used to set up your iPhone.
Tip: It’s best to sign in from a trusted device or browser. If you sign in on a new device, you will need a 6-digit code to verify your identity.
Step 2: On the iCloud home page, choose the Find My app, and it will automatically locate all iOS devices associated with your current Apple ID.
Step 3: Choose your unavailable iPhone, and then click Erase iPhone in the displayed menu to erase it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does iPhone Unavailable last?
A: The screen itself tells how long it will last. If there is a timer on the screen that reads “try again in [number] minutes,” the timer is how long iPhone Unavailable lasts.
When the countdown expires, the iPhone Unavailable message disappears from the lock screen, and you can enter your passcode again. Each subsequent failed attempt will extend the timer.
Typically, you will get “iPhone Unavailable, try again in 1 hour” after 9 consecutive failed passcode attempts. There is no timer after 10 consecutive failed attempts, and your iPhone will remain unavailable permanently until you erase and reset it.
Q: Can I fix iPhone Unavailable without losing data?
A: Yes, you can, but only if the iPhone Unavailable screen has a timer and you have the correct passcode. If, on the other hand, you took a backup of your iPhone before it became unavailable, there will be no data loss because you can restore the data from the backup.
Disclosure: This Post is Sponsored by isumsoft.
