- If your iPhone says iPhone Unavailable and don’t have a computer nearby, you can still unlock it.
- If your iPhone displays an "iPhone Unavailable" error with a timer, wait for the timer to expire and enter your passcode correctly.
- You can also use iCloud or Find My app to erase data to remove the iPhone Unavailable message.
How to fix your iPhone that says “iPhone Unavailable” without a computer
What Does "iPhone Unavailable" Mean?
The "iPhone Unavailable" message appears after too many wrong passcode attempts. It’s meant to protect against brute force attacks, where someone who is trying to gain access to your iPhone tries as many passcodes as possible in an attempt to force their way in.
In most cases, you will see a timer beneath the message informing you of how long you need to wait before your iPhone becomes available again. After five incorrect attempts, the timer is set to a minute, with the delay increasing to five, 15, and 60 minutes with each subsequent attempt.
After 10 incorrect passcode attempts your iPhone will be permanently locked, with no timer displayed. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix iPhone Unavailable without computer, including using the Erase iPhone option, iCloud, and the Find My app. Let’s jump into details.
How to fix “iPhone Unavailable” without computer
Wait It Out
Assuming your iPhone is displaying a delay period on the "iPhone Unavailable" lock screen, the simplest solution is to wait it out. After the time is up you’ll be able to unlock your iPhone with the correct passcode. Be very careful when doing this, since entering the wrong passcode will increase the timer again (for example, from one minute to five on the second attempt).
Erase your iPhone directly from the lock screen
With iOS 15.2 or later, Apple introduced a feature that allows you to erase your iPhone directly from the lock screen. After entering the wrong passcode a few times, you’ll get an "Erase iPhone" option in the bottom corner of the lock screen. This lets you reset it right from there, no computer needed.
To erase your iPhone and remove the iPhone Unavailable message without using a computer, follow these steps:
- On the iPhone Unavailable screen, select Erase iPhone.
- Enter your Apple ID password to log out of your Apple account.
- Press Erase iPhone again, and your iPhone will reset.
Get rid of iPhone Unavailable With iCloud
Apple’s Find My service isn’t only useful for finding lost devices. If you sync your iPhone with iCloud and you have Find My iPhone enabled on your locked device, you can use iCloud to remotely erase your device and remove the iPhone Unavailable message. Here’s how to do it:
- On your iPhone, iPad or another device, go to iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID and password.
- Select the Find My option.
- Choose your phone from the list and select Erase This iPhone.
Your device will erase itself remotely, removing everything including the iPhone Unavailable message. Once complete, you’ll have to set your device up as new. During the setup process, you can choose between Restoring from an iCloud backup or Setting up your iPhone as new. Select the option you want, then you can set a new passcode.
Use Find My app
The last method to fix iPhone Unavailable without a computer is to use the Find My app on another iPhone or iPad and erase the phone from there.
Remember to Always Back Up Your Devices
Now that you’ve successfully fixed iPhone Unavailable problem without a computer, you’re back into your iPhone. To avoid this happening again, it might be a good idea to make a note of your iPhone’s passcode somewhere.
And, as an extra safety precaution, make sure to regularly back up your iPhone in case you ever experience the iPhone Unavailable notification again. But don’t just back up your iPhone to your computer, store it on an external device for added security.
