iPhone says unavailable? 4 ways to reset it without passcode
This guide explores all proven ways to factory reset an unavailable iPhone, helping you regain full access even if you've forgotten the passcode.
Jasmin Woods Updated on Aug 12, 2025 3:51 PM
What to do if iPhone says Unavailable:
- If you've forgotten your passcode or your iPhone is showing iPhone Unavailable, a factory reset is the key to unlock your device and regain access.
- For iPhones running iOS 15.2 or later, you can erase and reset your iPhone directly from the Unavailable lock screen using your Apple ID password.
- Even without a passcode, you can still factory reset an unavailable iPhone by putting it into Recovery Mode or using iCloud Find My to erase it wirelessly.
- If you're completely locked out, iPhone Unlocker can be a reliable option for performing a full factory reset to unlock your unavailable iPhone without a passcode or Apple ID.
If you forgot your passcode, check these easy and quick ways to reset an iPhone that says iPhone Unavailable try again.
Stuck on iPhone Unavailable screen and don't know what to do? Whether you've forgotten your passcode or someone has entered it incorrectly too many times, your iPhone locks itself temporarily as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access.
If you still know your passcode, you can simply wait for timer to expire and try again to unlock your iPhone. But if you're locked out without a passcode, the only way to regain access is to perform a factory reset when your iPhone says Unavailable or Security Lockout.
In this guide, we'll cover various ways on how to reset unavailable iPhone without passcode, even if you're permanently locked out or the try again option isn't working.
Note: A reset will return your unavailable iPhone to its factory settings and erase all current data and settings. If you have a previous backup, you can retore your data after the reset.
Why is my iPhone Unavailable & How to reset it
Built into iOS 15.2 and later, the "iPhone Unavailable" lock is a security feature designed to protect your device and personal data from unauthorized access. If multiple incorrect passcodes are entered, your phone will display the "iPhone Unavailable try again in [time]" message, temporarily disabling the passcode input until the timer expires.
If you still know your passcode, you can unlock your iPhone once the timer ends. However, if you can't remember the passcode or you're permanently locked out, a full factory reset is required to remove the iPhone Unavailable screen and regain access to your iPhone.
Table of Contents
Factory reset unavailable iPhone with Apple ID (iOS 15.2 or later)
If you're locked out of iPhone Unavailable screen due to a forgotten passcode, a factory reset can help you regain access quickly. Thanks to the Forgot Passcode option added in iOS 17 and later (or Erase iPhone option in iOS 15.2-16), resetting an unavailable iPhone is easier than ever.
Now, you can use your Apple ID password to directly reset your iPhone from the Unavailable screen and erase all content. To use this method, the locked iOS device should be connected to an active Wi-Fi or cellular network and have Find My feature enabled prior to the lockout.
Here's how to reset when iPhone Unavailable screen locks you out:
1. When the iPhone Unavailable screen appears after multiple incorrect passcode attempts, you'll see a Forgot Passcode? (or Erase iPhone) option in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap on Forgot Passcode? and confirm the Start iPhone Reset option to continue.
3. When asked to sign out of your Apple Account, enter your Apple ID password to begin the erasing process. Note: This will erase all data and settings from your iPhone. You can choose to keep or delete your eSIM before the reset starts.
4. The locked iPhone will be reset to factory settings, no more iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen.
After the reset, you can access your iPhone without a passcode and complete the setups to use it as new. If there's a recent backup available, you may restore your data from it or download anything previously saved in your iCloud.
Important: After 10 failed passcode attempts, your iPhone will be permanently locked and the Forgot Passcode option is no longer available. In that case, explore the following iPhone reset tools to restore access even without a passcode.
Unlock unavailable iPhone without passcode or Apple ID
The reset option on iPhone Unavailable screen only works for iOS 15.2 and above. If your locked iPhone is running an earlier iOS version or you've been permanently locked out after 10 incorrect attempts, Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker is a highly effective tool to factory reset your unavailable iPhone and unlock it without a passcode or Apple ID.
This powerful tool is compatible with all iPhone models and iOS versions, making it effortless to wipe and reset any locked iPhone, whether it's saying iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout. If you've forgotten your passcode, follow these simple steps to factory reset your unavailable iPhone and regain instant access:
1. Install and launch iPhone Unlocker on your Mac or PC and select Wipe Passcode to begin.
2. Connect the unavailable iPhone to computer with a USB cable.
TIP: If the locked iPhone is not recognized successfully, you may click the underlined link and follow the onscreen prompts to force your unavailable iPhone into Recovery Mode.
3. Once connected, confirm your device information and click the Start button. Then let iPhone Unlocker download the appropriate iOS firmware for your unavailable iPhone to reset.
Check device information and download suitable iOS firmware for reset.
4. After downloading, enter 0000 in the pop-up window and click the Unlock button to factory reset this unavailable iPhone.
Before you confirm the unlocking:
- Removing the unavailable lock screen will erase all data and reset your iPhone to its factory settings. Also, your device will be updated to the latest iOS version.
- If available, you can restore your iPhone data from a previously created backup after unlocking.
Confirm the unlock option to apply a full factory reset on the unavailable iPhone.
Keep your device connected during the unlocking process. Once done, your iPhone will be fully reset, and the iPhone Unavailable screen will be removed completely. After the restart, you can follow the setup steps to access your iPhone's Home screen again.
Not just for iPhones, this tool can also help you get into an unavailable iPad when you're locked out with a forgotten passcode.
Reset locked iPhone in Recovery Mode using iTunes/Finder
If you have iTunes (on Windows or older macOS) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later) installed, you can quickly unlock the iPhone Unavailable screen without a passcode by performing a full reset. Simply connect the locked iPhone to your computer and put it into Recovery Mode to start the resetting process.
To get started:
- If your computer is running macOS 10.15 Catalina or above: open a native Finder window.
- If you're using Windows or macOS 10.14 or earlier: open the latest iTunes on your computer.
Use iTunes/Finder to factory reset an unavailable iPhone without passcode or Apple ID:
1. With iTunes or Finder open, power off the locked iPhone completely.
2. Force your iPhone to enable Recovery Mode so you can perform a factory reset on it:
- For iPhone 8 and newer iPhone models: keep holding the Power button.
- For iPhone 7 / 7 Plus, press the Volume down button for a moment.
- For iPhone 6s and older models, press and hold the Home button.
Keep holding the correct button while quickly connecting your iPhone to computer. Do not release the button until you see an image of a computer and a cable.
3. When iTunes/Finder detects your phone, a message box will prompt, offering the Restore or Update options.
4. Select the Restore option to perform an iPhone reset when it's unavailable.
If the reset process takes over 15 minutes, let the download complete and power off your iPhone to start over again.
5. Confirm Restore and Update option and let your iPhone go through the resetting process.
This will erase all content and settings on your iPhone, including the Unavailable screen. Once the process is complete, your device will restart and allow you to set it up as new. If you have a recent backup, try restoring all data after the reset.
Remotely reset an unavailable iPhone via iCloud Find My
When you're locked out and don't have access to a Mac or PC, there's still a way to factory reset an unavailable iPhone without passcode or computer — if the Find My feature is previously enabled and you still remember the Apple ID and password linked to the device.
This option should be available if your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network. Simply visit iCloud website and perform a remote iPhone reset when it's unavailable:
- On another internet-connected device, visit iCloud.com.
- Sign into your iCloud Account with the same Apple ID and password used on your iPhone.
- When you're in, navigate to Find My option.
- Click All Devices at the top and pick the unavailable iPhone that needs to be reset.
- Select Erase This Device in the opening menu.
- For security, iCloud may require you to verify your identity one more time — either by entering your Apple ID password or input a verification code sent to your Apple device.
- Once verified, confirm the Erase option.
A reset will automatically begin on your iPhone to erase the Unavailable screen and everything else. Afterward, you can restore the device from a backup or set it up again as a new phone.
How to prevent iPhone Unavailable screen after a reset
After successfully resetting your unavailable iPhone, it should be unlocked and ready for a fresh start. To avoid future lockouts and regain full access, follow these important steps:
- Choose an easy-to-remember passcode. Select a 4- or 6-digit passcode that you can easily remember, but avoid overly simple combinations to ensure security.
- Restore from backup. During the setup process after an iPhone reset, choose to restore your data from an iCloud or computer backup. This helps you recover your apps, data, and settings.
- Enable Face ID or Touch ID. Biometrics provide quicker access, especially if your iPhone passcode is not working.
- Keep regular backups. Regularly back up your iPhone, either via iCloud or to your computer. This ensures your important data can be easily recovered if a future reset is necessary.
- Know your Apple Account credentials. If Activation Lock is enabled after the reset, it requires you to enter the previously linked Apple ID and password before access.
FAQs: Resetting an unavailable iPhone
Q1 - How long will the iPhone Unavailable screen last?
If you enter an incorrect passcode too many times, you'll see the "iPhone Unavailable" screen with a "try again" message on the lock screen. The lockout duration increases with each failed attempt:
- After 4 incorrect attempts — iPhone Unavailable, try again in 1 minute.
- After 5 incorrect attempts — iPhone Unavailable, try again in 5 minutes.
- After 6 incorrect attempts — iPhone Unavailable, try again in 15 minutes.
- After 7 incorrect attempts — iPhone Unavailable, try again in 1 hour.
- After 8 incorrect attempts — iPhone Unavailable, try again in 3 hours.
- After 9 incorrect attempts — iPhone Unavailable, try again in 8 hours.
After 10 failed passcode attempts, your iPhone will eventually lock you out completely. In that case, the only option to unlock it is to perform a full factory reset.
Q2 - Is it possible to unlock an unavailable iPhone without resetting it?
If your device is running iOS 17 or later and you've changed your passcode within the last 72 hours, it may be possible to unlock the unavailable iPhone using your previous passcode without a reset.
- From iPhone Unavailable screen, tap the Forgot Passcode? option in the lower-right corner.
- When you're able to, tap Enter Previous Passcode.
- Enter the old passcode correctly.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to set a new passcode.
- Use the new passcode to unlock your iPhone without reset.
Q3 - Can I unlock my iPhone without erasing data when it says "iPhone Unavailable"?
The "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" message is a feature introduced in iOS 15.2 and later. Unfortunately, this feature does not allow you to bypass the passcode without erasing the iPhone. If you've forgotten your passcode, you'll need to reset your iPhone to factory settings, which will erase all content and settings on the device.
Q4 - Can I restore my data if I reset my unavailable iPhone?
Yes, you can restore your data after resetting your iPhone, provided you have a recent backup.
Once the iPhone is reset to factory settings, it will restart with the "Hello" screen. Simply swipe up and follow the onscreen prompts to complete the setup. When reaching Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, you may choose Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Computer Backup — this lets you recover all data and settings you've backed up before the reset.
