All about iPhone unavailable: how to fix iPhone 11 unavailable screen
Looking to bypass the iPhone's unavailable lock screen after entering the wrong passcode on your iPhone too many times? Erasing all the settings can fix it. Here's how to get started.
Robin Swift
Updated on Jul 15, 2022 4:57 PM
What to know when your iPhone is unavailable
- From iOS 15.2, you'll get an "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" message on your iPhone 11 after entering the wrong passcode too many times. There is no way to bypass the "iPhone Unavailable" screen without resetting the iPhone to factory settings.
- If you connect your iPhone 11 to the internet, the Erase iPhone may be your first choice to fix iPhone Unavailable wirelessly.
- Using iTunes, you can do a reset on your iPhone 11 by putting it into recovery mode.
- An advanced password erasure tool specially designed for iOS devices — iPhone Unlocker, letting you unlock your iPhone 11 and bypass the unavailable screen.
- To unlock an unavailable iPhone 11, you can factory reset it with iCloud Find My.
- After resetting your unavailable iPhone 11, you'll need a recent backup to get your data back.
Getting your iPhone unavailable after several failed passcode attempts? Reset iPhone to remove it.
iPhone is one of the most valuable mobile phones for many. Once you have bought it, you enjoy a range of powerful features. While using your iPhone 11, you are also leaving a large amount of information on your iPhone 11. To protect the information, you may have already set a screen passcode on your iPhone 11.
The passcode of 4 digits or 6 digits can make your privacy safe. However, if you forgot the code and typed in the wrong passcode more than 5 times, things can be tough: you will see a message on your iPhone 11 stating that it is unavailable.
Thankfully, Apple offers many reset iPhone features. These features are a useful solution, whether you're using an iPhone with a physical home button, or an iPhone later than iPhone 8. You can restore your device to factory settings to remove the "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen and get back in.
Why is my iPhone 11 unavailable?
Since iOS 15.2, an iPhone will make itself unavailable for 1 minute after 6 consecutive incorrect entry attempts. And you'll receive a message on the screen saying "iPhone Unavailable, try again in 1 minute." It can also be 5 or 15 minutes: after the seventh incorrect passcode attempt, you will be locked out for 5 minutes, the eighth for 15 minutes.
It's not too bad that the warning message contains the waiting period, when the number of unsuccessful entries reaches 12, it can be worse: you'll find the message "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" without a waiting period on the screen.
iOS 15.1 and earlier
For the people who are using an iPhone 11 running iOS 15.1 and earlier, you will disable your iPhone 11 for 1 minute after unsuccessful attempts to unlock your iPhone 11 six times in a row. The good news is that you have 12 chances to guess your passcode. After you have entered the wrong password for the tenth time, a message will appear on the screen saying "iPhone is Disabled, Connect to iTunes. You're required to use iTunes or Finder on your computer to erase your entire iPhone 11.
How can I stop my iPhone 11 being unavailable?
When you get an "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen after entering the wrong passcode too many times, you won't be allowed to try once more.
Tip: If you previously enabled Find My on your unavailable iPhone, you will reach the "Security Lockout" screen rather than the "iPhone Unavailable" screen.
Fortunately, there is still hope, by resetting your iPhone to erase all the settings and contents on it, you can fix iPhone Unavailable and regain access to your iPhone 11 again.
Resetting your iPhone 11 makes it possible to bypass the iPhone Unavailable screen without the passcode. The process of resetting will erase the passcode along with all the data on your iPhone, though. If you are used to backing up your iPhone regularly, there is no need to worry about data loss issues — you can retrieve your files from a previous backup. On the contrary, if you don't have a backup, you can only accept the truth that you will lose all the data after you reset your iPhone 11.
Method 1: tap Erase iPhone on the screen
Actually, Apple offers an on-screen reset feature to unlock an unavailable iPhone and reset it to factory settings for those who can't remember the passcode and get an "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" alert.
After a few failed attempts to unlock your iPhone 11, Apple's security system will disable your iPhone to block unauthorized access. When 7 incorrect attempts are reached, your iPhone 11 will show you a screen with an "iPhone Unavailable, try again in 15 minutes" message, and an "Erase iPhone" option presented in the lower right corner of the screen. Once you tap on the "Erase iPhone" option on the unavailable screen, all the settings and data, including your passcode, will be erased, letting you reset your iPhone 11 and set it up again as if it were new.
Note:
- Only the iPhone running iOS 15.2 and newer has the "Erase iPhone" option.
- The Apple ID and password used to set up your locked iPhone 11are required.
- Make sure your iPhone 11 has stable internet to let the "Erase iPhone" option work.
Here are the steps to use "Erase iPhone" option to fix your unavailable iPhone 11:
1. Don't stop trying the passcode on the screen until the "iPhone Unavailable, try again in 15 minutes" or "Security Lockout, try again in 15 minutes" message appears on your iPhone 11.
2. Tap on the "Erase iPhone" option at the bottom of the lock screen. If the option doesn't appear, try other methods instead.
3. An "Erase All Content & Settings" alert shows up on the screen, reminding you this will erase all the settings and data on your iPhone 11. You can also try your passcode again. But if you still can't recall the passcode, the "Erase iPhone" option can be your best bet.
4. On the "Erase All Content & Settings," tap "Erase iPhone" to confirm. Then, you'll be required to type in the Apple ID and passcode to authorize to erase your entire iPhone 11. Go ahead to enter the Apple ID and passcode and wipe all the data on your iPhone 11.
5. When the erasure is finished, you'll be able to bypass the "iPhone Unavailable" screen and regain access to your iPhone 11. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your iPhone from the Hello Screen. When you reach the App & Data screen, restore your iPhone from a backup.
Method 2: recovery mode — Apple's suggested method
The "Erase iPhone option is not perfect. It can also go something wrong. Sometimes, you have entered incorrect passcode 8 times, even more than 8 times, but the "Erase iPhone" option doesn't appear on your iPhone 11 at all. Then putting your iPhone 11 into the Recovery Mode in iTunes or Finder can be the most straightforward way to bypass the "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen and unlock it.
To use iTunes or Finder depends on the version of your computer:
- For a Mac on macOS Catalina or newer, open the Finder.
- For a PC or a Mac with macOS 10.14 or earlier, launch iTunes.
Let iTunes or Finder run on your computer.
Unplug your iPhone if it is connected to your Mac or PC. Press and hold both the side button and the Volume down button until the power off slider appears. Then drag the slider to turn off your iPhone 11. It's better to wait for a while to make sure that it's off completely.
Place your iPhone 11 into recovery mode: hold the side button, you will need to plug your phone into your computer while pressing the side button. Don't let your finger go until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPhone 11.
This icon on the screen means that you have successfully put your iPhone 11 into recovery mode.
Once iTunes or Finder has detected your iPhone 11, a sub-window will pop up giving you two options: "Update" or "Restore." Click on the "Restore" option to proceed.
Then, an alert box appears asking you if you're sure to restore this iPhone with all the data files erased during the process. Click on the "Restore and Update" button to confirm.
Then the latest iOS software will be downloaded on your computer for your iPhone 11. When the process is done, you can fix the "iPhone Unavailable" screen and unlock your iPhone 11.
Don't forget to restore your data from a recent iPhone backup.
Method 3: reset your iPhone 11 to fix "iPhone Unavailable" via a smart tool: iPhone Unlocker
Fortunately for you, the iPhone Unavailable screen can be easily fixed with a smart and easy-to-use third-party tool — iPhone Unlocker. It delivers on its promise to make resetting your iPhone 11 and removing the iPhone Unavailable screen without iTunes or iCloud easy and quick.
Being a powerful tool, iPhone Unlocker allows you to solve the passcode problem in a few clicks, no matter what model your iPhone is. What's more, there is no limitation to the version of computer you're using as iPhone Unlocker is available for both macOS and Windows system.
Erasing your entire iPhone 11 to remove the iPhone Unavailable screen can be difficult, but not when you're invited to use iPhone Unlocker. You can't go wrong with this useful tool. Click on the link above to download it on your computer.
Step 1: Choose 'Wipe Passcode'
After the installation, double-click on the icon to launch iPhone Unlocker on your computer. There are three options on the interface. Here, choose "Wipe Passcode" and click "Start."
Step 2: Confirm the information of your locked iPhone 11
Use a USB cable to plug your unavailable iPhone 11 into your computer. To let iPhone Unlocker recognize your device, you'll need to put your iPhone 11 into the recovery mode.
Turn off your iPhone 11 first, press and hold the Volume down and side button, and then drag the power slider to the right.
Hold the side button. Don't let go of the button until you see the recovery mode icon showing up on your iPhone 11.
When iPhone Unlocker detects your device, it'll ask you to confirm the device information. Change the information from the drop-down menu. After confirming that there are no errors, click on the "Start" button to go ahead.
Step 3: Download firmware package
iPhone Unlocker will download a firmware package to fix the "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen on your iPhone 11.
When the downloading is complete, a message window pops up asking you if you're sure to unlock your unavailable iPhone 11. Note that, the unlocking process will wipe the entire iPhone to factory settings. Enter "0000" and then click "Unlock" to begin removing the "iPhone Unavailable" message and unlocking your iPhone 11 immediately.
Step 4: Begin unlocking passcode
The process of erasing your iPhone 11 and then unlocking it may take a few minutes. When the erasure completes, you'll be able to retrieve the data from a recent backup.
Method 4: use iCloud to fix an iPhone 11 that says iPhone Unavailable
As an iPhone owner, you probably know about iCloud, which is designed for users to upload their data to iCloud and then sync to their Apple devices. What you will use to unlock your unavailable iPhone 11 is its built-in feature: Find My. Apart from being Apple's global locating and tracking system for devices, Find My also allows you to erase all the settings on your iPhone 11 and help you regain access to your device without using the passcode.
- Visit iCloud in a browser on your tablet or computer.
- Enter the Apple ID and passcode that be used on your locked iPhone 11 to log in to your iCloud account.
- You can see all your devices using the same Apple ID as your unavailable iPhone 11 being located on a map.
- Click "All Devices" at the very top of the screen.
- From the list of all devices, choose your locked iPhone 11.
- Click on the "Erase" button to proceed.
- You'll be displayed a warning that all the content and settings on the selected iPhone will be wiped. Click "Erase" to confirm.
- Once confirmed, it will start to erase your iPhone and fix your unavailable iPhone. When the process is finished, you can set up your iPhone from scratch.
How to avoid the iPhone Unavailable screen in the future?
Getting an iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout message on your iPhone 11 is not something you want to experience a second time. You can take the following steps to avoid this from happening again.
1. Use Face ID or Touch ID: The advent of Touch ID and Face ID has brought you the convenience of having your finger or face be enough to unlock your iPhone most of the time. You may need to have an iPhone that supports a fingerprint reader or facial recognition.
2. Set an easy-to-remember passcode: To create a new passcode, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. After that, keep the passcode in mind and write it on your notepad.
Back your iPhone up termly!
The methods above can help you fix the iPhone Unavailable issue and unlock your iPhone. The only downside is that all the data on your iPhone 11 will be erased as well as the passcode no matter which method you use. Luckily, all the data won't be lost as long as you have backed up your iPhone recently. If you don't have a backup of your iPhone 11, making regular backups of your iPhone will be a compulsory course for you. Back your iPhone up termly now!
