Introduction

If you forgot your passcode and have been entering it wrong for a couple of attempts in a row, then you will encounter a message like “iPhone Unavailable, try again in 5 minutes”. The time range for when your iPhone will be unavailable depends on how many attempts you have exhausted to unlock the device and can reach 60 minutes of waiting. After 10 failed attempts, the “iPhone Unavailable” message will no longer contain any timer meaning a permanent block of your iPhone. In such a case, the only way to unlock your phone is to reset it to factory settings by erasing all stored data. While this may be frustrating to the actual iPhone owners, such a security measure is extremely useful to keep your iPhone content safe from the hands of intruders. Thus, make sure you try your best to unlock your iPhone with the right passcode. If the next few attempts become desperate and your iPhone becomes permanently blocked, then you will have to use one of our solutions below to reset your device, which will unlock it eventually. Feel free to use whichever fits you the most.

iphone unavailable error

1. Use 4uKey by Tenorshare

One effective and easy way to quickly remove “iPhone Unavailable” is by using the 4uKey Tenorshare tool. Having a user-friendly interface up its sleeves, this tool allows a seamless restoration of your iPhone within just a few clicks. However, as was made clear in the introduction above, bypassing the permanently locked screen requires restoring all settings from scratch, which will erase stored data as well. Thus, you will have to restore it either through iCloud Backup or some other source after finishing the restoration. Download Tenorshare 4uKey for Mac or Windows PC using the button and follow these steps to remove the locked/unavailable screen:

Download iOS Repair Tool
  1. Download 4uKey via the button above, install it and open it up.
  2. On the main screen of the program, click Start.
  3. Then, connect your iPhone via a USB cable to your computer.
  4. Click Next in 4uKey.
  5. Select your iPhone version and follow on-screen instructions to boot iPhone into Recovery Mode.
  6. Once done, the next screen will open in 4uKey where you need to download firmware. Select where to download it on your computer and click Download.
  7. Once the download is done, you can click Start Remove to begin removing the locked screen.
  8. After that, your device will restart and show the Hello screen.
  9. While setting it up from scratch, you will be offered to Restore from iCloud Backup and other backup options.
  10. If you choose to use iCloud Backup, log in with Apple ID on the next screen and select the backup that contains most of your data.
  11. After that, wait until the recovery ends

2. Use the Erase iPhone option (iOS 15.2 or Later)

If your iPhone is working on iOS 15.2 or a newer version, then you can erase your iPhone without referring to any external tools. For this, you will have to make sure your device is connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network, and that you remember a password for logging into your Apple ID. Here are the steps to perform the erase using this method:

  1. Continue entering the wrong password until the Erase iPhone option appears at the bottom right screen.
  2. Tap Erase iPhone again and enter your Apple ID password.
  3. Wait until the restoration process ends and your iPhone boots with the Hello screen.
  4. While setting it up from scratch, you will be offered to Restore from iCloud Backup and other backup options.
  5. If you choose to use iCloud Backup, log in with Apple ID on the next screen and select the backup that contains most of your data.
  6. After that, wait until the recovery ends

3. Restore iPhone using iTunes

Like in the very first method with 4uKey, you will need a Mac or Windows PC and a USB cable from your iPhone. Once again note that this and other steps imply resetting all settings, which will erase data stored on your iPhone as well.

  1. Connect your iPhone to Mac or Windows PC. iTunes is already installed on Mac by default. If you are using Windows, make sure to install iTunes via Microsoft Store.
  2. Then, you have to enter Recovery mode. To do so, you have to choose your device and perform the steps below.
  3. iPhone 8 or later:

    1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
    2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
    3. Press and hold the Side button (which you use to unlock your screen) and continue holding until you see an icon asking to connect the cable to your computer.

    iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPod touch (7th generation):

    1. Press and hold the Side (or Top) button and the Volume Down button together at the same time.
    2. Likewise in the previous steps, continue holding until you see an icon asking to connect the cable to your computer.

    iPad models with a Home button, iPhone 6s or earlier, and iPod touch (6th generation) or earlier:

    1. Press and hold both the Side (or Top) button and the Home button until you see an icon asking to connect the cable to your computer.

    iPad models without a Home button:

    1. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
    2. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
    3. Then press-hold the Power button until you see an icon asking to connect the cable to your computer.
  4. After this, iTunes should automatically display a message offering to Update or Restore your device. Click on Restore. Then confirm by clicking Restore and Update.
  5. iTunes will start the restoration process and download the newest iOS version for it.
  6. Once done, your device will restart and show the Hello screen.
  7. While setting it up from scratch, you will be offered to Restore from iCloud Backup and other backup options.
  8. If you choose to use iCloud Backup, log in with Apple ID on the next screen and select the backup that contains most of your data.
  9. After that, wait until the recovery ends

4. Restore iPhone using Find My

Another option to remove the lock screen is by erasing your device using Find My. Find My is a legitimate Apple service designed for tracking the location of your iPhone, which might help you find your iPhone in case it got lost. You can access Find My either via the web version on iCloud.com or the Find My app if you have another unlocked iPhone or iPad. Choose whichever fits you better. Though, it is important to note that this method will work only if you had previously enabled the Find My feature on your locked iPhone.

to restore iPhone via Find My web version:

  1. Go to iCloud.com website and sign into your account.
  2. Click on Find iPhone and choose your iPhone on the map.
  3. A pop-up window on the side should appear. Click Erase iPhone.
  4. Click Erase to confirm and wait until the restoration ends.
  5. Once finished, you will see the Hello screen on your iPhone. While setting up you can choose to Restore from iCloud Backup or other backup options.

to restore iPhone via Find My app:

  1. Open the Find My app on another iOS device.
  2. Then go to Devices at the bottom and swipe up to see the list of devices.
  3. Choose your device, swipe up again, and tap Erase This Device.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions and enter your Apple ID when prompted.
  5. After that, the selected device will start restoration and boot up to the Hello screen. While setting up you can choose to Restore from iCloud Backup or other backup options.

Summary

It can be incredibly frustrating to find yourself locked out of your own iPhone due to repeated incorrect password attempts. Unfortunately, the only solution is either to come up with the right password before iPhone becomes permanently disabled or reset the device, which will erase all content stored on it. And although this security feature is indeed a strong argument for protecting your personal data from unauthorized usage, it can be inconvenient when it comes to your authentic use. To avoid this scenario, it is important to remember your passcodes or consider using Face ID instead. By doing so, you can reduce the likelihood of locking your screen again in the future.

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