How to fix “iPhone is not available” error (iOS 16 and 15)

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Now we will learn how to fix the “iPhone is not available” error that we encounter when we enter the passcode wrong several times. It is an annoying situation, which can be solved even if we do not remember the iPhone PIN or the password of the Apple ID or iCloud.

Alternatives to access an iPhone showing “not available” on the screen include using iTunes, iCloud, or using a specialized tool like PassFab iPhone Unlocker with additional features.

The “iPhone is not available” message started to appear in iOS 15.2 when we entered the passcode wrong several times . It shows a countdown to try again, which will be longer the more times we fail, reaching 15 minutes of waiting between attempts.

This tutorial allows you to solve the error in iOS 15 and 16, although the procedures to unlock an iPhone also work in iOS 14, 13 and 12. They work even with other error messages, since they restore the device, erasing the data, and leaving it as came from the factory

Erase iPhone (locally or from iCloud)

If we do not want to wait for the timer to end, or we have forgotten the access code, a possibility is to erase the iPhone with the Apple ID password . All the information will be deleted, and we will need an Internet connection, so we must assess if it is the option we need.

In case we have forgotten the Apple ID password, there are other solutions, but first we will see this official system:

  1. If we are going to do the process from the iPhone itself, we must enter the wrong access code several times , until we get an option to “Delete iPhone” along with a 15-minute timer.
  1. They will explain the option to erase and restore the mobile, we have to choose “Erase now” and enter the Apple ID password .
  2. After a few minutes of waiting, the smartphone will turn on restored , without the “iPhone is not available” message, and we can configure it as if it were new.
  3. In case we prefer to carry out the process remotely , we have to enter the iCloud.com page and identify ourselves with the Apple ID password .
  1. We look for the mobile in the “unavailable” state in the side menu, and press “Delete iPhone” .
  2. After a few minutes, iPhone will return to factory settings, ready for initial setup.

Unlock iPhone with iTunes

Although Apple has moved all of its services to the cloud, it’s still helpful to connect iPhone to a computer running iTunes to resolve some common issues. The case of “iPhone is not available” is one of those that can find a solution thanks to this veteran program.

These are the steps to restore the mobile (which means deleting the data) and recover it:

  1. We connect the iPhone by cable to the computer (PC or Mac) and open iTunes.
  1. First you have to put the iPhone in recovery mode . To do this, press and release the volume up button first and then the volume down button, in quick succession, then hold down the power button until the recovery screen appears:
  1. In iTunes we will choose “Restore” the iPhone in the pop-up window that opens:
  1. After a few minutes, the iPhone will have been restored and we can configure it as if it were new.

Recover a broken iPhone with PassFab iPhone Unlocker

The last alternative allows us to recover an iPhone in “unavailable” status if we have forgotten the access code and password of the Apple ID . This system also deletes the saved data, which can be recovered if we have made a backup in iTunes.

  1. First of all, we have to download PassFab iPhone Unlocker for Mac or PC from its official website.
  2. From the home screen we will press “Start” in the “Unlock the security code” section:
  1. Now you have to connect the iPhone that shows the “not available” message so that its firmware can be downloaded :
  1. The iPhone must have enough battery to start the process , if so, in a few minutes it will be unlocked.
  1. It only remains to configure the iPhone as a new unit , without being asked for the Apple ID and password in the process.

PassFab iPhone Unlocker also allows us to fix the “support.apple.com/iphone/restore” error , which with the arrival of iOS 16 has started to appear on some users’ devices.

It is possible to install and try PassFab iPhone Unlocker for free, if we want to access the entire program, it has licenses from 35.99 euros (PC) or 45.99 euros (Mac), depending on the time we need to use it.

In conclusion, it is possible to solve the “iPhone is not available” message , and we have alternatives for each possible situation, even those in which we have forgotten the password of the associated Apple ID.

 

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