By Michael | Last Updated
When your iPhone says "Unavailable" and there's no "Erase" option, it might make you panic, which means that unlocking the device has become more difficult.
But don't worry - you're not the only one experiencing this problem. In this guide, we'll explain why your device is getting this error and walk you through a step-by-step fix for iPhone unavailable no erase option.
To prevent unauthorized unlocking, after a few failed passcode attempts, iPhone's system automatically initiates a security lock and alerts the user that "iPhone unavailable, try again in 1 minute". As the number of incorrect passcode attempts increases, iPhone will be locked for a longer period of time, from 1 minute to 8 hours, or even longer.
Usually, there is an "Erase" option after the iPhone is locked, which allows you to erase the device and re-set it. However, sometimes the "Erase" option does not appear. Possible reasons for this include:
1. Older iOS version. Apple has only added the "Erase" option to the "iPhone Unavailable" screen since iOS 15.2. If you have an older version of iPhone, this option will not be available.
2. There is no active internet connection. iPhone needs to be connected to the internet for the Erase option to display properly.
3. No Apple ID signed in on the device. If the device is not associated with an Apple ID, the system will not allow users to erase the iPhone directly from the screen, so the "Erase" option will not appear.
4. The system has been updated to iOS 18/iOS 17. The "Erase iPhone" option has been replaced with "Forgot Passcode?" for these new iOS software.
5. The number of incorrect passcodes has reached the limit. After 10 incorrect passcodes, your iPhone will be completely locked without the "Erase" option.
6. System failure. Occasional system failures may cause the "Erase" option not to appear on the locked screen.
The good news is that it is possible for you to unlock a disabled iPhone without losing data. However, this only applies to devices that meet certain conditions. Considering that it's quite common for users to forget a newly created unlock passcode, Apple added the option to reset a new one using an old one in iOS 17. Here are its requirements:
1. The iPhone's unlock code has been reset within the last 3 days.
2. The old passcode has not expired.
Now, follow the steps below to fix an unavailable iPhone without losing data.
Step 1: If your iPhone is eligible, there should be a "Forgot Passcode?" button on the "iPhone unavailable" screen, click it.
Step 2: Select the "Enter Previous Passcode" option and you will be prompted to enter your old unlock code to verify your identity.
Step 3: Once verified, you can recreate a new passcode and use it to unlock the locked device.
If you click the "Forgot Passcode?" button and only the "Start iPhone Reset" option is displayed, it means your old iPhone passcode has expired. In this case, "Reset Device" is the only way to unlock your iPhone.
When your iPhone shows "unavailable" message and no erase option, how do you unlock the device without a passcode? Don't worry, even without passcode and "erase option", there are many ways to reset iPhone and regain access to your device. Let me introduce them all for you.
How to fix iPhone unavailable error without "Erase" option? iSunshare iPhone Passcode Genius offers you a fast and efficient solution. It is a smart unlocker designed to handle passcode issues on iOS and iPad OS devices, which can easily solve problems including screen passcode, MDM lock, screen time limit, and Apple ID login. With its help, thousands of users have successfully regained control of their devices.
Step 1: Click the "Free Download" button below to get the installation package of iPhone Passcode Genius and then allow it to install on your computer.
Step 2: Run the software and select the "Unlock Lock Screen" option.
Connect your iPhone to the computer using the "USB" cable and click "Next" to continue. If the software fails to detect your device, follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone into recovery mode.
Step 3: Next, check your system version and click "Download" to download the appropriate firmware package.
Step 4: After the firmware download is complete, click "Unlock" to start the process of fixing "iPhone unavailable and no erase option".
Wait for the unlocking to complete, your iPhone will reboot without passcode and you can access your device freely now.
If your device was not signed in with an Apple ID before it was locked or it is below iOS 15.2, you can use iTunes to restore the device to bypass the "iPhone unavailable" screen and reset it.
Step 1: Update iTunes on your computer to the latest version and run it.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable, proceed to put it in recovery mode.
Step 3: Once iTunes detects your device, it will prompt you to choose "Restore" or "Update" your iPhone, click "Restore" and confirm. After the recovery is completed, you can reset your iPhone as a brand new device.
If you have "Find My iPhone" enabled on your device, you can use iCloud to factory reset iPhone without password or PC, even if the "Erase" option doesn't appear on your device's lock screen. Please note that this method will also wipe all data and settings on your iPhone.
Step 1: Open a browser on a trusted device, visit icloud.com and sign in with the same Apple ID.
Step 2: From the main iCloud screen, select "Find My iPhone" feature.
Step 3: Click on the "All Devices" column at the top and then find your iPhone in the list.
Step 4: After selecting the locked device, click on "Erase This Device" and you will be asked to re-enter your Apple ID credentials and two-step verification code. Your iPhone will be unlocked and restarted automatically after the erase process to complete.
If you have another iDevice and is signed in with the same Apple ID, you can erase your unavailable iPhone directly from the "Find My" App on this device, without visiting icloud.com.
Step 1: On another iPhone or iPad, make sure it's signed in with the same Apple ID that's associated with your unavailable iPhone.
Step 2: Open the pre-installed "Find My" App, click the "Devices" tab and select your target device.
Step 3: On the device details page, select the "Erase This Device" option to erase all data on your iPhone.
Step 4: Follow the system's prompts to confirm the operation of erasing iPhone, and then "Find My" App will start the erasing process. Once done, iPhone will be restored to factory settings and no longer require a passcode to access it.
When "iPhone unavailable" is displayed on the device screen and there is no "Erase" option, it will be more difficult to unlock the iPhone, but the problem can still be solved with the right tools and methods! Whether it's a third-party unlocking tool such as iPhone Passcode Genius, or relying on Apple's iTunes and iCloud services, you'll be able to regain access to your device.
