Excessive attempts to unlock the iPhone lead to the opposite. After a while, iOS will lock the smartphone, leaving you alone with a black screen and an annoying inscription. Is it possible to bypass this restriction? Let’s figure it out.
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ToggleHow iPhone Blocking Works
Once the “iPhone is unavailable” message appears, further attempts to enter the password will be ineffective. The lockout period is displayed as a timer that starts one minute after the first unsuccessful entry,
With each subsequent incorrect entry, this time increases: first to 5 minutes, then to 15 minutes, and finally to 1 hour. If you make more than 10 unsuccessful attempts, the timer will stop displaying and the “iPhone is unavailable” message will remain until the problem is resolved.
Here we come to the point of no return – the need to erase all data on the iPhone. This is especially true if you have exhausted all valid password attempts or have forgotten it.
How to Unlock iPhone
Perhaps, hopeless situations do happen, but not with the iPhone. There are several ways to unlock the device, each with its own nuances.
Using the Erase iPhone feature
In some cases, on the “iPhone Unavailable” screen, you may find an “Erase iPhone” option in the lower right corner. If it is available, do the following:
- Click on the “Erase iPhone” option;
- Enter your Apple password;
- Wait for your iPhone to automatically erase all data.
Method that will allow you to exit the unavailable mode. Its advantage is that it allows you to solve the problem with a blocked iPhone without connecting the smartphone to the computer.
Using the Find My Phone feature
You can fix the situation without a computer using the Find My app. This method works if the Find My iPhone feature is enabled on your smartphone. If you don’t have another Apple device, you can ask a friend for theirs or use icloud.com/find from any device with Internet access.
Important : This method will not work if you have problems with two-factor authentication for your Apple ID.
- Open the Find My app on another Apple device and sign in to your account using the same Apple ID and password as on the lost iPhone;
- Select your unavailable iPhone and click “Erase This Device” or “Erase iPhone”;
- Follow the on-screen instructions to have Find My erase your iPhone
This process will allow you to erase your iPhone and regain access to it.
Unlock iPhone with iTunes
You can also restore your device settings using iTunes, which is installed on most iOS devices. Follow these steps:
- Connect your locked iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and put it into recovery mode;
- Launch iTunes on your computer;
- A dialog box should appear on the screen offering to update or restore the device (Restore iPhone);
- Click on the “Restore” option and confirm your decision;
- Wait until the reset process is complete and the latest version of iOS is installed on your iPhone.
DFU mode is a complete system reinstallation that deletes all data but allows you to reconfigure your smartphone. Visually, recovery mode is distinguished by the fact that an indicator of connection to a computer appears on the device screen. In DFU status, the iPhone will not respond to clicks or show any signs of activity and is recognized only by the computer. So:
- Connect your phone to your computer and turn it off;
- After the screen turns off, hold the power button for 3 seconds;
- While holding the power button, press and hold the volume down button. After 10 seconds, release the power button, and after 5 seconds, release the volume key;
- If the screen remains black, DFU mode is enabled. If the Apple logo appears, try again.
The system will recognize the device and start checking for updates. The firmware will be updated automatically, after which access to the phone will be restored.