[Updated] Top 5 Fixes to iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option

Updated by Brian Davis on Jun 30, 2025 • Category: Unlock iOS
5 mins read

"Why there is no Erase iPhone option on my iPhone screen when my iPhone is unavailable? My iPhone is unavailable and now I can't unlock it from the lock screen. How can I fix this iPhone unavailable no erase option problem?"

If you enter the wrong passcode too many times in a row, your iPhone will activate its security protection and become unavailable for a certain period - depending on how many incorrect passcode attempts you've made. In most cases, you can simply wait for the timer to run out and try again, or use the Erase iPhone option to reset your device and regain access.

But what if that Erase iPhone option is missing? If you're facing the iPhone unavailable no erase option issue, you're not alone. Many users run into this problem, especially when their iPhone is disabled or locked for hours.

In this guide, we'll explore why it happens and several fixes with or without computer. Let's dive in!

fix iphone unavailable no erase option

Part 1. Why Is iPhone Unavailable and No Erase Option

Typically, your iPhone will become unavailable for 1 minute at the six wrong passcode attempts, and then the unavailable duration will increase to 8 or more hours with further wrong attempts. In this case, many user might choose to Erase iPhone when they forgot iPhone passcode.

However, if you don't see the Erase iPhone button on the unavailable screen, several reasons could be at play, apart from the iOS software glitch. Here's what you should check first:

tipsNote:

If iPhone Unavailable for 8 hours with no Erase option, it typically means you've entered too many wrong passcodes and iOS totally locks you out for security protection. In this case, erasing iPhone without computer via iCloud might not work. Jump to Part 2 for a quick solution directly.

1. iOS Version

The Erase iPhone feature was introduced in iOS 15.2. If your iPhone is running an earlier version, this option won't be available. You'll need to update your device via iTunes or Finder before the feature becomes accessible.

2. Internet Connection

Your iPhone must be connected to a stable Wi-Fi or cellular network for the Erase option to appear. If the network is weak or disconnected, the option may not load properly. Try moving to a spot with better signal or restarting your device.

3. Find My iPhone

If Find My iPhone isn't enabled, the Erase option may not show. Besides, this feature must be active for Apple's remote erase tools to work without computer.

4. Device Management (MDM)

If your iPhone is managed by a school or company (Mobile Device Management), certain features, like Erase, might be restricted by the administrator.

5. Restrictions or Parental Controls

If screen time restrictions or parental controls are active, they could also block access to certain reset or account features.

screen time settings may restrict erase iphone directly

To fix it, you can use additional tool to erase iPhone remotely. So in the following part, we'll cover solutions with a computer or without computer.

tipsPro-tip: Things to Know Before Resetting Your iPhone

▪ You'll lose all data unless your iPhone is backed up to iTunes or iCloud.
▪ If enabled Find My feature, Activation Lock still applies even after erasing your iPhone lock screen passcode via iTunes/iCloud.
▪ Before proceeding with a reset, log into iCloud.com and navigate to Account Settings > Devices to see if your iPhone is backed up.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option [with Computer]

In this part, we'll show you two effective ways to fix the iPhone unavailable no erase option issue using a computer. These methods are often more reliable than trying to fix the problem without a computer.

Solution 1. Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via TunesKit iPhone Unlocker [Fatest Way]

If you are trying to unlock your iPhone without the Erase iPhone option and the correct passcode, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is your best bet to fix it quickly.

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a professional and easy-to-use unlocking tool for Windows and Mac. It supports the latest iOS versions and offers multiple unlock features, including:
▪ unlock iOS screen passcode;
▪ remove Apple ID;
▪ bypass MDM restrictions;
remove Screen Time passcode, etc.

So when you're stuck with the iPhone unavailable no erase option, this tool can quickly help you regain access to your device - even if it's locked or disabled.

Key Features of TunesKit iPhone Unlocker

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can unlock iPhone easily and quickly when iPhone Unavailable with no Erase option. Even support removing iCloud Activation Lock if you forgot Apple ID credentials too.

Try It Free safe 600,000+ Downloads

Here, we will show you how to fix iPhone unavailable no erase option by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1 Launch TunesKit and Connect iPhone to Computer

The first step you should take is to download and install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. Then, connect your iPhone to the computer via a workable cable. When you connect your iPhone to the computer successfully, select the Unlock iOS screen option and hit on the Start button.

tuneskit main interface

Step 2 Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

To unlock your iPhone, you will need to put your iPhone into Recovery mode or DFU mode. There is an onscreen instruction on how to put your iPhone into Recovery mode. When your iPhone is in Recovery mode, click on the Next button.

put iphone into dfu mode to fix iphone unavailable with no erase option

Step 3Download Firmware Package

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will ask you to download a firmware package to unlock unavailable iPhone. Please check the onscreen information before downloading. If there is nothing wrong, click on the Download button.

download firmware package

Step 4Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option

Here, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start removing your iPhone's screen lock. The screen lock on your iPhone will be removed in several minutes and the iPhone Unavailable with no Erase option issue should be fixed.

fix iphone unavailable no erase option

Solution 2. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via iTunes

Another way to resolve the iPhone unavailable with no erase option issue is by using iTunes. This official Apple tool allows users to restore and update their devices. However, this method requires either a previously synced iTunes connection or put your iPhone into Recovery Mode. And you'll need enter your Apple ID password to remove the Activation Lock after erasing.

Let's see the detailed steps to fix iPhone Unavailable with no Erase option via iTunes.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes. If the iTunes on your iPhone is not the latest version, you should update it to the latest version.
Step 2. When your iPhone is detected, click on the little device icon on the top toolbar.
Step 3. Select the Summary option on the left menu.
Step 4. Hit on the Restore iPhone option to fix the iPhone unavailable no Erase option problem on your iPhone.

🌟 Optional: If you want to try preserving your data, click Update iPhone first. This will attempt to reinstall iOS without deleting your data. However, it doesn't always work if your iPhone is fully locked, which is usually presented with iPhone Unavaialble no timer status.

reset a locked iphone using itunes

If you cannot use iTunes to restore your iPhone directly, you can follow the below steps to put your iPhone into Recovery mode and use iTunes to restore it.

Based on different iPhone models, you can follow the below steps to put your iPhone into Recovery mode first.

🌟 Note: You should keep your iPhone connected to the computer.

  • For iPhone 8 or later: Press the Volume Up button and release it quickly. Followed by the Volume Down button. Then, press and keep holding the Side button until the Recovery mode screen appears on your iPhone.
  • For iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and keep holding the Volume Down and Side buttons until you can see the Recovery mode screen.
  • For iPhone 6 or earlier: Press and keep holding the Home and Side buttons concurrently. Release both buttons when the Recovery mode screen appears on your iPhone.

restore iphone via recovery mode

Once in Recovery Mode, iTunes should display a popup. Click Restore to reset your iPhone and resolve the iPhone Unavailable no Erase option issue.

Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option without Computer

If you can't connect your iPhone to a computer right now, don't worry - there are still a few things you can try to fix the iPhone unavailable no erase option issue. Below are 3 practical methods that might help you regain access without needing a PC or Mac.

Solution 1. Force Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes the Erase iPhone button doesn’t appear due to a minor system glitch. A simple force restart may refresh your device and prompt the option to show up again.

Taking iPhone 8 or later model as examples, quickly press and release Volume Up, Volume Down, and press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

force restart iphone to fix iphone unavailable no erase option

After restarting, check if the Erase button appears on the lock screen. If not, you might need to restart it more times or try other solutions.

Solution 2. Fix iPhone Unavailable No Erase Option via iCloud

If you have enabled the Find My iPhone feature on your iPhone, you can also use the Find My feature of iCloud to erase your iPhone. The Erase iPhone feature allows users to remotely remove and unlock your iOS devices. You can follow the steps below to fix iPhone unavailable no erase option without computer via iCloud.

Step 1. Open a browser on your computer. Then, you will need to log into your Apple ID and the correct passcode.
Step 2. Select the Find My iPhone feature of iCloud.
Step 3. Here you will see an All Devices option. Click on it and select the unavailable iPhone.
Step 4. Hit on the Erase iPhone option to fix the iPhone unavailable no erase option problem.

restore a locked iphone using icloud

Solution 3. Reinsert A SIM Card on iPhone [Low Success Rate]

In rare cases, especially when your iPhone is stuck on the iPhone Unavailable screen with no network signal, removing and reinserting the SIM card can help.

Why does this work? Simply put, re-inserting the SIM may refresh the device's network connection and trigger the system to re-evaluate the lock screen - sometimes causing the Erase iPhone option to appear.

Just turn off your iPhone directly, use a SIM ejector tool or small pin to remove the SIM tray, wait for a seconds, and insert the SIM card back in. Then, restart your iPhone to check if it fixes iPhone Unavailable with no Erase option issue.

remove and reinsert sim card to fix iphone unavailable no erase option

Part 4. Conclusion

If you're facing the frustrating iPhone unavailable no erase option problem, the methods above should help you get your device back in working order - with or without a computer.

Don't know your Apple ID password or want a faster, simpler way to unlock your iPhone? We recommend using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker, which helps bypass screen locks without a passcode and works with most iPhone models and iOS versions. If you are still having other problems on unlocking iPhone, please feel free to leave us a comment below.

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