Whether you've forgotten your passcode or were permanently locked out, this guide covers all possible fixes to help you unlock the iPhone Unavailable screen and regain access to your iPhone 16 effortlessly.
There are multiple ways to help you get into a locked iPhone 16 that says Unavailable or Security Lockout.
Getting locked out of your iPhone 16 with an iPhone Unavailable screen can be frustrating — especially if you're unsure why it happens or how to regain access. Typically, the iPhone 16 Unavailable screen appears after multiple failed passcodes. Depending on the situation, your device may be temporarily locked or completely inaccessible.
If your iPhone 16 is unavailable — whether you've entered an incorrect passcode too many times or purchased a locked device, there are still ways to help you unlock your device.
In this guide, we'll walk you through several ways to unlock an iPhone 16 that says Unavailable. If you forgot the passcode, the process may involve a factory reset, which erases all data and settings on the iPhone unless you have a previous backup for later restoration.
To access your iPhone 16 showing the iPhone Unavailable screen, iPhone Unlocker offers a quick and effective way to remove the lock screen—whether you've forgotten your passcode or are permanently locked out.
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Apple introduced the "iPhone Unavailable" feature in iOS 15.2 and later as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access after too many incorrect passcode attempts.
If your iPhone 16 displays an "iPhone Unavailable. Try again in [time]" screen, it means that several incorrect passcodes were entered consecutively and your device automatically locks itself for a temporary period. You'll need to wait for the countdown to finish before trying again.
With each additional failed attempt, the unavailable period increases from 1 minute to 8 hours. After 10 failed passcode attempts, your iPhone 16 becomes permanently locked, displaying a permanent "iPhone Unavailable" or "Security Lockout" screen.
If your iPhone 16 is showing an Unavailable message with a countdown timer and you still remember your passcode, simply wait for the timer to end, then enter the correct passcode to unlock your device.
However, if you've forgotten your passcode or the screen shows iPhone Unavailable without a timer, performing a factory reset would be your only option to regain access to your unavailable iPhone 16. The process erases all data on your device — but don't worry. You may still be able to restore your data from a previous backup, either in iCloud or on your computer.
In iOS 17 and above, Apple introduced a helpful feature on the Unavailable screen called "Forgot Passcode." This allows you to erase and reset your iPhone 16 directly from the lock screen with no need for a computer. If you forget your passcode and are unable to bypass the iPhone 16 Unavailable screen, here's what to do:
To use this method:
Steps to erase iPhone 16 Unavailable screen via Forgot Passcode option:
This will permanently delete all current data and settings on your iPhone 16, including the Unavailable screen. After that, you have the option to set up your iPhone again or restore it from an earlier iCloud or iTunes backup.
If you've forgotten your Apple ID password or the "Forgot Passcode" option is not available on your iPhone 16's lock screen, HigoSpot iPhone Unlocker offers a reliable alternative to regain access to your phone within minutes.
This efficient iOS unlocking tool features an intuitive interface and a straightforward, click-through process that allows you to unlock any iPhone 16 that's showing Unavailable or Security Lockout. With just a few simple steps, it can remove various types of iOS locks, including forgotten passcodes, Apple ID, Face ID, Touch ID, Screen Time restrictions, and more.
Fully compatible with all iPhone 16 models and iOS versions, here's how to reset an unavailable iPhone 16 without a passcode or Apple ID using iPhone Unlocker:
Step 1. Open iPhone Unlocker on computer and get started with Wipe Passcode mode.
Step 2. Connect the locked iPhone 16 using a USB cable. TIP: If your device is not recognized, follow the onscreen link to enter iPhone Recovery Mode.
Step 3. Confirm the device information and click Start button.
An appropriate firmware package will be downloaded to your iPhone 16 for removing the Unavailable screen.
Step 4. Start unlocking iPhone 16 by entering 0000 in the pop-up box and clicking the Unlock button. Note: This will reset your iPhone 16 to factory settings and erase the Unavailable screen along with everything else.
Keep your device connected until the process is 100% completed. When the Hello screen appears, follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone 16 again. If possible, restore your data from a previously created iCloud backup or iTunes/Finder backup.
Using Recovery Mode is a quick and effective way to reset an unavailable iPhone and unlock it. If your iPhone 16 is stuck on Unavailable screen and you have access to a computer with iTunes or Finder, simply connect your device and follow the steps below to perform a full reset. This process will restore your locked iPhone 16 to factory settings, erase all content on it, and allow you to set it up again from scratch.
1. Turn off iPhone 16.
Press and hold both the Volume down button and Side button until Apple's power off slider appears; drag the slider to power off your iPhone.
2. Open iTunes or Finder on your computer.
To reset an iPhone 16 saying Unavailable, open iTunes on your Windows PC or macOS 10.14 and earlier. For a Mac running macOS 10.15 or later, open the native app - Finder.
3. Connect the Unavailable iPhone 16 to computer in its Recovery Mode.
Keep holding the Side button of your iPhone while quickly connecting it to your computer with a USB cable; do not release the button until an image of a computer and a cable shows up.
4. Reset unavailable iPhone 16 with iTunes or Finder.
When your iPhone 16 enters Recovery Mode, iTunes/Finder will recognize it and display a dialog box with Retore or Update options. Select the Restore option and confirm it to factory reset your iPhone completely.
5. Set up or restore from a backup.
Once reset, your iPhone will restart and be ready for new setup. If there's an older backup available, you can also choose to restore your iPhone data from it.
If Find My was enabled on your iPhone 16 before it became unavailable, you can log in to iCloud.com and use the Find My feature to remotely erase your iPhone using your Apple ID password. To unlock an unavailable iPhone 16 when you've forgotten the passcode, make sure the device is connected to the internet, then follow the steps below.
TIP: This method also lets you fix the iPhone 16 Unavailable issue without needing a computer if you don't have access to one.
Once iCloud confirms the erase requirement, a full reset will start on your iPhone 16 to get it out of the Unavailable screen. Keep in mind this will permanently erase all data and settings on the device. If possible, restore from a recent backup if there's any.
Regaining access to an unavailable iPhone 16 typically requires a factory reset, which erases all data. However, you can avoid data loss if you've previously created a backup. Whether stored in iCloud or on your computer with iTunes or Finder, this backup can be used to easily restore your iPhone data during the setup process after the reset.
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