iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option [Fixes & Unlock Guide]
iPhone says Unavailable with no Erase option? Learn why it's missing and discover effective solutions to unlock your iPhone when the Erase option is unavailable.
Jasmin Woods Updated on Jul 18, 2025 11:42 AM
As a built-in security feature on iOS, the iPhone Unavailable screen appears after too many incorrect passcode attempts, temporarily locking your iPhone. Typically, an Erase iPhone option is in the bottom-right corner, allowing you to unlock unavailable iPhone without passcode.
However, in some cases, you may find there's no Erase option on iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen — often due to an outdated iOS version, a lack of internet connection, or Find My iPhone not being enabled. If you're facing this issue, you're not alone.
If the Erase iPhone option is unavailable on your locked iPhone, check these solutions to fix it.
In this guide, we'll explain the common causes behind iPhone Unavailable no Erase option and show you how to fix it. Also, there are several proven ways that can be used to unlock your unavailable iPhone without the Erase option or passcode. Let's dive in!
Table of Contents
For an unavailable iPhone with no Erase option, iPhone Unlocker is a perfect option to bypass the unavailable screen and unlock your iPhone without needing a passcode.
Why is my iPhone Unavailable no Erase option?
Starting with iOS 15.2, if you enter the wrong passcode more than five times, your iPhone will display an "iPhone Unavailable" screen, usually with an Erase iPhone option at the bottom and a timer indicating when you can try again. However, if the Erase iPhone option is missing on Unavailable or Security Lockout screen, several possible reasons could explain why:
iOS version requirement
The "Erase iPhone" feature is only available starting from iOS 15.2 and later. If your iPhone is running an earlier version, this option won't show up. Alternatively, if you're using iOS 17 or later, you'll see the "Forgot Passcode" option instead of "Erase iPhone."
No active internet connection
Your iPhone should be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. Without internet access, the device can't communicate with Apple's servers to verify your Apple ID and allow the erase process.
Find My iPhone disabled
The Erase iPhone option depends on Find My iPhone being turned on in iCloud Settings. If it's off, the erase option won't appear on iPhone Unavailable screen.
Apple ID not signed in
If you're not signed into your Apple ID on the device, the system won't offer the option to erase iPhone directly from the unavailable lock screen.
More than 10 failed passcode attempts
After more than 10 incorrect passcodes, your iPhone becomes permanently locked, and the Erase iPhone option will no longer appear. At this point, performing a factory reset is the only way for unlocking your iPhone.
When you're locked out, you can't change any settings that might affect the availability of the Erase iPhone option. In this case, try the following solutions to fix iPhone Unavailable issue.
How to fix iPhone Unavailable without Erase option
If you're already stuck on iPhone Unavailable screen with no Erase option, there are still fixes to help you erase your iPhone and unlock it for full access.
Fix 1. Use Forgot Passcode option on iOS 17 or later
If your iPhone is updated to iOS 17 or an above version, the Erase iPhone is replaced by Forgot Passcode — it allows you to directly erase your iPhone from the Unavailable or Security Lockout screen without using a computer. Ensure you know your associated Apple ID passcode and have an active Wi-Fi or mobile data. Here's how to fix:
1. After 5 failed passcode attempts, your iPhone displays iPhone Unavailable screen.
2. Tap Forgot Passcode? option from the bottom-right corner.
3. When you see Start iPhone Reset option, tap it to confirm.
4. Enter your Apple ID password to sign out of your Apple Account used on this iPhone.
5. Tap Erase iPhone to perform a factory reset and delete all current data permanently.
TIP: If you're using an eSIM with iOS 17 or later, you have the options to keep or delete your eSIM while erasing iPhone data.
The erasing process will reset your unavailable iPhone and unlock it. After that, follow the onscreen prompts to set up your iPhone again or restore it from an earlier backup.
Fix 2. Unlock unavailable iPhone without Erase option or passcode
To unlock an unavailable iPhone without Erase option or a timer, Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker offers the simplest solution. Just connect your device to a computer and follow the direct, step-by-step instructions to unlock your iPhone — no passcode or Apple ID required.
This powerful iOS unlocking tool is compatible with all iPhone and iPad models, enabling users to bypass the iPhone Unavailable/Security Lockout screen and remove various Apple locks, including forgotten passcodes, Screen Time restrictions, Apple ID, and even the SIM locks.
If you've been locked out and there's no Erase option, follow these steps to fix the iPhone Unavailable issue and regain access:
1. Install and open Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker on a Windows PC or Mac.
2. Select Wipe Passcode and click Start button to begin.
3. Connect your unavailable iPhone with a USB cable and confirm the device information.
4. Hit Start button to download the appropriate iOS unlock firmware for your locked iPhone.
It may take a short while, depending on your network speed.
5. Once downloaded, enter 0000 and click Unlock button to initiate unlocking process.
Keep the device connected until the process is complete. By following these steps, you can unlock an unavailable iPhone without needing the Erase option. If there's a previous backup, restore your data after the unlock process is finished.
Fix 3. Restore iPhone with no Erase option using iTunes/Finder
If you have access to a computer with iTunes or Finder installed, it's easy to fix iPhone Unavailable with no Erase option. The process requires a cable-based connection and will restore your locked iPhone to its factory settings with everything erased. The steps may be slightly different, depending on your iPhone model:
1. Power off your iPhone and connect it to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Put the unavailable iPhone into Recovery Mode. The steps may vary:
- For iPhone 8 and later: Keep holding the Side button until an image of a computer and a cable appears.
- For iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus: long-press the Volume Down button; do not release the button until a computer-and-cable image shows up.
- For iPhone 6 and earlier or iPhone SE 1st: press and hold the Home button until you see an image of a computer and a cable.
3. Open the iTunes or Finder on your computer.
- For Windows PC and macOS 10.14 Mojave or earlier, run the latest iTunes.
- For macOS 10.15 Catalina or later, launch the native Finder app.
4. When the Restore or Update selection box pops up, choose Restore.
5. Keep your iPhone connected until the restore process finishes.
Once done, your iPhone will be reset to factory settings and unlocked no longer with an unavailable screen. Set it up again from the Hello screen and use it as a new device.
TIP: If there's a local iTunes backup or Finder backup on your computer, you can restore your iPhone from the backup to minimize data loss.
Fix 4. Erase unavailable iPhone on iCloud Find My remotely
When your iPhone says unavailable with no Erase option, iCloud's Find My feature can be an excellent alternative to remotely erase your locked iPhone without a passcode. If you've previously enabled Find My iPhone in iCloud Settings, simply via iCloud.com/Find to fix iPhone unavailable no Erase option wirelessly:
- Visit iCloud.com/find on your computer or any other device.
- Sign in with the same Apple ID and password that are associated with your locked iPhone.
- Select your unavailable iPhone under All Devices from the left sidebar.
- From the expanded options, click Erase This Device.
- If asked, follow the onscreen instructions to verify your Apple identity.
The remote erase will start as soon as your unavailable iPhone comes online. Once complete, the device will be restored to factory settings with all data erased — no passcode needed.
Prevent Erase iPhone option from disappearing
By exploring these causes and fixes, you're able to regain access to your unavailable iPhone even without the Erase option. In case you're locked out again, it's important to configure the settings properly to prevent the issue of no Erase iPhone option:
- Update your iPhone to iOS 15.2 or above. Note: In iOS 17 or later, Apple offers Forgot Passcode? option on iPhone Unavailable screen instead.
- Connect iPhone to an active Wi-Fi or cellular data. This ensures that you're able to verify your Apple Account from the unavailable lock screen.
- Enable Find My iPhone feature in Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and toggle the switch on.
- Sign in to your Apple Account and make sure you remember the password to it.
Unlock iPhone Unavailable with Erase iPhone option
Once everything is properly set up, the Erase iPhone option should appear with the iPhone Unavailable screen after multiple wrong passcodes, allowing you to regain access with a straightforward factory reset.
1. Enter incorrect passcode on your iPhone 5 times.
2. When iPhone Unavailable screen displays, tap Erase iPhone option at the bottom.
3. Tap Erase iPhone again.
4. Enter your Apple Account password to sign out of this iPhone.
The iPhone reset process will start automatically after Apple verifies your identity.
FAQs: No Erase option on iPhone Unavailable
Q1 - Which iOS versions show the Erase option on iPhone Unavailable screen?
Apple introduced the Erase iPhone option in iOS 15.2 as part of the iPhone Unavailable feature for added security. However, starting with iOS 17, this has been replaced by the Forgot Passcode? option.
Q2 - How long does Erase iPhone option stay on iPhone Unavailable Screen?
By default, you have up to 10 passcode attempts before your iPhone becomes permanently locked. After 5 incorrect tries, your device locks for 1 minute, and each subsequent failed attempt increases the wait time — ranging from 5 to 15 minutes and even an hour.
Once you've reached 10 failed attempts, your iPhone becomes unavailable without a timer, and the Erase iPhone option is no longer displayed.
Q3 - Can I unlock my iPhone if it says unavailable with no Erase option?
Yes, there are several ways that requires no Erase option to unlock an iPhone that's unavailable:
- Forgot Passcode option — Capable of erasing iPhone from the Unavailable screen directly on iOS 17 and later versions.
- Appgeeker iPhone Unlocker — Unlock iPhone without passcode or Apple ID when the Erase option is unavailable or there's no timer.
- iTunes or Finder — Restore an unavailable iPhone completely using a computer and a cable.
- iCloud Find My — Perform a remote factory reset when there's no Erase option on iPhone Unavailable screen.
