It's quite common to get your iPhone locked for various reasons, such as forgetting your lock screen passcode. When you enter the wrong passcode too many times, you'll see an "iPhone Unavailable" message on the screen. You might try to get rid of this situation using the Erase option, but some users find that the Erase option doesn't appear at all on the iPhone Unavailable screen. Don't panic! This doesn't mean your iPhone is permanently locked. In this guide, we'll walk you through effective ways to fix the iPhone Unavailable no Erase option issue.
- Part 1. Why Is iPhone Unavailable without Erase Option?
- Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option Using Computer
- Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option without Computer
- Part 4. FAQs about iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option
- Part 5. Conclusion
Part 1. Why Is iPhone Unavailable without Erase Option?
The iPhone Unavailable error message is one that pops up after you have repeatedly entered the wrong passcode for your device. If you see an iPhone unavailable message or a Security Lockout screen, you can use your Apple ID and password to erase and reset your device with the Erase option. But in the Apple Community, lots of users reported that there is no Erase option on the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen. It can be caused by several reasons:
Cause 1. Outdated iOS Version
Older versions before iOS 15 don't support the Security Lockout feature with the Erase iPhone option. This feature is available from iOS 15.2 to iOS 17. And you will see the Forgot Passcode? option after iOS 17, instead of the Erase iPhone option.
Cause 2. No Network Connection
The Erase option requires an internet connection to sign out of the Apple ID. If there's no Wi‑Fi or mobile data, the button may not show up.
Cause 3. Find My Status
If you haven't enabled the Find My feature on your iPhone, it may interfere with the Erase option on the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen.
Cause 4. Apple ID Issue
An unsigned Apple ID and an unverified Apple ID on your iPhone can prevent the Erase iPhone option from appearing on the iPhone Unavailable screen.
Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option Using Computer
Getting rid of the unavailable screen on your iPhone is not difficult. If you have a computer nearby, you can still unlock your device by connecting it to a computer and using professional tools. Below are two reliable methods to help you fix the issue and regain access to your iPhone.
Method 1. Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via MagFone iPhone Unlocker
If your iPhone is stuck on the iPhone Unavailable screen without the Erase option, the most recommended method is to use an iPhone unlocking tool. Here, we do recommend MagFone iPhone Unlocker to you. It's a multifunctional unlocking tool targeted to iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It's available to fix the iPhone Unavailable no Erase option issue without iTunes or Apple ID. Besides, it's also helpful if your iPhone is disabled or unavailable without a timer. Follow the steps below to fix the iPhone Unavailable without Erase option by using MagFone iPhone Unlocker.
MagFone iPhone Unlocker
Unlock various locks on iOS devices, including screen locks, MDM, Apple ID, and Activation Lock without needing a password.
Step 1 Connect the iPhone to the Computer
Start by connecting your iPhone to your computer through a USB cable, then launch MagFone iPhone Unlocker on the computer. Select the Unlock iOS Screen option on the main interface of the software, then click the Start button.
Step 2 Go to Boot iPhone into Recovery Mode
Then you can follow the onscreen instructions to put your iPhone into recovery mode. If it fails to boot your device into recovery mode, you can click the link at the bottom left corner of the software. Then click the Next button to proceed with the process.
Step 3 Download the Firmware Package for iPhone
The device information of your iPhone will be shown on the screen of the software. You need to carefully check the device information. Then click the Download button to get the firmware package.
Step 4 Fix iPhone Unavailable with No Erase Option
After downloading and verifying the firmware package for your device, click the Unlock button let MagFone iPhone Unlocker fix iPhone Unavailable with no Erase option. Keep your device connected to the computer until the process finishes.
Method 2. Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via iTunes
Using iTunes is an official solution from Apple for resolving many system and lock screen issues. By putting your iPhone into recovery mode and restoring it via iTunes, you can erase the device, remove the unavailable screen, and set it up again. Follow the steps below to complete the process with your computer.
Step 1. Unplug your iPhone from the computer if it's connected and turn off your device.
Step 2. Put your iPhone into recovery mode while immediately connecting your device to the computer.
Get an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch into recovery mode with one click for free.
Step 3. Open iTunes and choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update.
Step 4. Wait for the process to finish and disconnect your iPhone from the computer, then set up your iPhone.
Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option without Computer
If there is no computer at hand, you can still deal with the iPhone Unavailable no Erase option issue with ease. Apple offers several options that allow you to erase your device directly from the iPhone itself or remotely from another device. Below are three practical methods to bypass the iPhone Unavailable screen without the Erase option.
Method 1. Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via Forgot Passcode Option
iPhone versions from iOS 15.2 to iOS 16 will display the Erase iPhone option on the lock screen when you have reached the error passcode attempts. If you are using an iPhone after iOS 17, you definitely can't find the Erase iPhone option instead of the Forgot Passcode? option. You can fix iPhone Unavailable without the Erase option through the Forgot Passcode? option.
Step 1. Press on Forget Passcode on the lock screen and select Start iPhone Reset.
Step 2. On the next page, type your Apple ID password to get out of the Apple ID on the iPhone.
Step 3. Touch Erase iPhone to erase all data on the iPhone. If you use an eSIM with iOS 17 or later iPhone, then you can choose Delete eSIM and Erase Data or Keep eSIM and Erase Data.
Method 2. Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via iCloud.com
If there is neither the Forgot Passcode option nor the Erase option on your iPhone, you can try resetting the device remotely instead. Apple's iCloud service lets you erase your iPhone as long as Find My iPhone is enabled on the device. You can perform this operation from any device with an internet connection.
Step 1. Head to icloud.com and sign into iCloud with your Apple ID ans password.
Step 2. Enter into the Find My page and click the All Devices button at the top of the screen.
Step 3. From the drop-down device list, find your iPhone and click the Erase iPhone button in the pop-up window.
Step 4. Click the Erase iPhone button again to confirm that you want to remotely erase your iPhone.
Method 3. Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via Find My App
The Find My app, available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, also allows you to erase a locked or unavailable iPhone remotely. As long as you're signed in with the same Apple ID and Find My iPhone is turned on, you can use the app to unlock the unavailable iPhone.
Step 1. Open the Find My app on your other Apple device and choose the Devices tab.
Step 2. Select your iPhone to remotely erase, then scroll down to tap Erase This Device.
Step 3. Tap Continue and enter your phone number used for the device.
Step 4. Tap Erase and input your Apple ID password, then tap Erase to reset your iPhone.
Part 4. FAQs about iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option
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How long does iPhone unavailable last?
The iPhone Unavailable screen will last 1 minute until you enter the correct passcode. But if you enter the wrong passcode again, then it will be locked out for at least 5 minutes.
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How to reset my iPhone when it says unavailable?
You can reset your iPhone on the Security Lockout screen, or you can erase your iPhone in the iCloud website if you've enabled the Find My iPhone. The Apple ID password is required in both solutions.
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How to fix iPhone Unavailable no erase option no WiFi?
If your iPhone isn't connected to Wi‑Fi and there is no Erase option on the iPhone Unavailable screen, you can connect it to a computer with a USB cable and use iTunes or MagFone iPhone Unlocker to bypass the screen lock.
Part 5. Conclusion
All the methods introduced in this guide can help you get out of iPhone Unavailable, even though there is no Erase option on the iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout screen. But before fixing the iPhone Unavailable with no Erase option, you have to make a backup of your iPhone because all these ways will cause data loss on your device. Don't wait, and try the above methods.