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2023 How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Screen in 4 Ways [iOS 17]

by Anna Sherry   Updated on 2023-08-04 / Update for  Unlock iPhone

The iPhone Unavailable messages appears on lock screen after you enter worng passcodes many times. You may be very concerned for not getting into your iPhone. But this problem is easy to figure out. This article discusses why your iPhone is unavailable and how to fix iPhone Unavailable, so you can regain access to your device.

iphone unavailable

Part 1. What Does iPhone Unavailable Mean

The passcode is a security feature on iPhone. If you do not enter the correct passcodes multiple times, you will see the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen, which means that iPhone is locked and prevents you from entering passcode again to protect your iPhone data.

Usually, after entering five wrong passcodes, you will see "iPhone unavailable try again in 1 minute" message. And you'll be locked out for at least 5 minutes after you fail six times. The more times you enter wrong passcodes, the longer you're locked up, like 15 minutes, and one hour.

Part 2. 4 Ways to Bypass iPhone Unavailable Screen [With Video Tutorial]

Now we know why iPhone is unavailable and stops you from trying passcodes to get into it again, it is time to fix the iPhone Unavailable issue. Below are the four most common methods to bypass iPhone unavailable black screen. Here is a video tutorial that will walk you through the entire process too!

Way 1. Directly Erase iPhone on iPhone Unavailable Screen (iOS 15.2 and Later)

If you forget your iPhone passcode and keep entering the wrong passcode, it will display not only the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout message, but also the Erase iPhone option, which directly erases your iPhone on the lock screen. Follow the below-mentioned steps:

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, keep entering the passcode and see the Erase iPhone option on the bottom right corner.

  • Tap on it, and it will notify you about erasing iPhone and losing data. Go ahead.
  • Enter your Apple ID password. And then, the erase process will begin. Once done, you can set it up as a new device.

    iphone unavailable - erase iphone

Update: In the just-released iOS 17 lock screen, instead of Erase iPhone option, it shows Forgot Passcode? and Start iPhone Reset button. But the process and requirements are all the same.

iphone unavailable - erase iphone ios 17

Way 2. Fix iPhone Unavailable without Passcode Using 4uKey

How to fix the unavailable iPhone if you don't have access to a network, or see iPhone Unavailable no Erase option? Why not use Tenorshare 4uKey, which is able to unlock the disabled screen without any passcode. It is compatible with the latest iOS/iPadOS 17 and iPhone 14 Pro Max, and also supports unlocking all iPads and iPods.

  • First, you need to launch 4uKey on a computer and click the "Start" button.

    start 4uKey to fix iphone unavailable screen
  • Connect your unavailable iPhone to the computer. Read the notes here and click "Next" to proceed.

    use 4uKey to fix iphone unavailable screen
  • 4uKey will match the latest iOS firmware, and you can download it to any location you want on the PC.

    download firmware - 4uKey guide - iphone says unavailable
  • After that, you can start removing the passcode you forgot. It takes a few minutes.
  • Wait for a few minutes, the forgotten passcode will be removed, and iPhone Unavailable messages will disappear.

    iphone unavailable no erase option - 4ukey unlock successfully

3. How to Unlock an Unavailable iPhone via iTunes

When iPhone says iPhone unavailable, the third way is to restore your phone to factory settings by using iTunes (or Finder on Mac). Since sometimes iTunes cannot detect the unavailable iPhone when it is locked, follow the below-mentioned steps.

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

    iphone unavailable try again - put iphone in recovery mode
  • iTunes will pop up a message window. Then go with the restore option.

    iphone unavailable try again - restore iphone via itunes
  • Your iPhone gets restored in a few minutes. iPhone Unavailable is fixed and you'll see the Hello screen after it restarts.

4. How to Unlock an Unavailable iPhone 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. Like the first method, 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.

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

iPhone Unavailable Fixed

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

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