How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Updated by Brian Davis on Feb 7, 2026 • Category: Unlock iOS
6 mins read

"Does anyone know how to fix iPhone unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours problem? I found an old iPhone in my room but I can't remember the passcode. After making some passcode attempts, this disabled message appears and stop me entering the passcode. How can I unlock this iPhone?"

This is not a hard-to-solve problem when your iPhone shows the iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours message. Usually, this error message will appear when you enter the wrong passcode too many times. This security guard protects iPhone very well from illegal access.

However, sometimes this disable screen will bring some trouble when users can't remember the correct passcode on an old iPhone. In this post, we will show you some effective solutions on how to fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours.

iphone unavailable try again in 8 hours

Part 1: Why Is My iPhone Unavailable for 8 Hours?

When your iPhone displays a message like "iPhone Unavailable" for 8 hours, it's usually because of too many incorrect passcode attempts. Apple enforces this lockout as a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your device. Here's a breakdown of how this works:

Failed Attempts Wait Time Screen Message
1 - 5 Attempts None Screen shakes; "Face ID not recognized"
6th Attempt 1 Minute "iPhone Unavailable, try again in 1 minute"
7th Attempt 5 Minutes "iPhone Unavailable, try again in 5 minutes"
8th Attempt 15 Minutes "iPhone Unavailable, try again in 15 minutes"
9th Attempt 1 Hour "Security Lockout, try again in 1 hour"
10+ Attempt 3 hours to 8 hours "Security Lockout" or "iPhone Disabled"

Part 2: How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Before trying the more advanced methods, you can re-enter your correct passcode once the lockout timer expires. Be cautious to avoid additional failed attempts. If you can't wait so long, try the following troubleshooting methods one by one.

Solution 1. Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours via iOS Feature

Before resetting your iPhone when you see the iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours, you should first contact the carrier if you are an eSIM user. After asking for the QR code to set up the eSIM on your iPhone. Then, you can erase your iPhone to fix the iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours problem. You can follow the steps below to make it.

For iOS 15.2 to iOS 16:

  • Step 1. Look at the bottom right corner of the screen for a button labeled Erase iPhone.
  • Step 2. Tap it once, then tap Erase iPhone again to confirm.
  • Step 3. Enter your Apple ID Password.
  • erase iphone on ios 15.2 and later

For iOS 17 or later:

  • Step 1. Look at the bottom right corner of the "Unavailable" screen. You will see a button labeled Forgot Passcode?.
  • Step 2. Tap it. You will be taken to a iPhone Rest screen.
  • Step 3. Tap Start iPhone Reset.
  • Step 4. Enter your Apple ID Password to sign out of your Apple Account.
  • Step 5. Tap Erase iPhone. The "8 Hour" timer will vanish, and your device will factory reset.
  • start iphone reset to bypass security lockout

Solution 2. Fix iPhone Unavailable Using the "Find My" App on Another Device

If you have an iPad, Mac, or secondary iPhone signed into the same Apple ID, the Find My app on the device can help you fix iPhone Unavailable with ease.

  • Step 1. Grab your other Apple device (iPad/Mac) and open the Find My app.
  • Step 2. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
  • Step 3. Select your locked iPhone from the list of devices.
  • Step 4. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu and tap Erase This Device.
  • Step 5. Tap Continue and enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
  • use another device to turn off find my iphone

Solution 3. Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours via TunesKit iPhone Unlocker

TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a multifunctional iOS unlocking tool with some powerful iOS unlocking features including unlock iOS screen, unlock Apple ID, bypass Screen Time, and bypass MDM restrictions. When the iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours appears on your screen, the optimal choice is to use TunesKit iPhone Unlocker to remove the screen lock from your iPhone.

Besides fixing iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can also help users fix other problems like forgot iPhone passcode, iPhone passcode expired, or iPhone is disabled. If you can't remember the passcode on your iPhone, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will help you access your iPhone soon without entering any passcode.

Why Choose TunesKit iPhone Unlocker?

Fix iPhone Unavailable easily. Works well on all versions of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Easy to operate for anyone.

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Now, let's see how to fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours by using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker.

Step 1Connect iPhone to Computer

Before connecting your iPhone to the computer, you should first download and install TunesKit iPhone Unlocker on your computer. When the program is connected, please select the Unlock iOS Screen and hit on the Start button.

iphone unlocker

Step 2Connect iPhone to Computer

Here, you will need to put your iPhone into Recovery Mode. If you don't know how to, you can follow the onscreen instructions to put your iPhone into the Recovery Mode. Check your iPhone models and use the corresponding method to fix it. Click on the Next button when your iPhone is in Recovery mode.

put iphone into recovery mode

Step 3Download Firmware Package

Then, TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will download the firmware package to help you unlock the phone. Click on the Download button to start downloading. If you have a firmware package downloaded, you can also click on the Select button.

download firmware package

Step 4Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

When the firmware package is downloaded, click the Unlock button. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker will start to move the screen lock from your iPhone and fix the iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours problem. You will be able to access your iPhone after removing the screen lock.

fix iphone unavailable try again in 8 hour

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Solution 4. Fix iPhone Unavailable for 8 Hours via iCloud

By using the Find My iPhone feature, users can remove the screen lock from an iOS device remotely. Remember, using iCloud to remove the screen lock from your iPhone will erase all the data and content from your iOS device. If you don't want to lose data from your iPhone, you can make a backup before using iCloud. You can follow the steps below to fix iPhone Unavailable and Try Again in 8 Hours.

  • Step 1. Open a browser on your computer and go to the iCloud website. Enter your Apple ID and passcode to log into your iCloud account.
  • Step 2. Select the Find My iPhone feature.
  • Step 3. Click on the All Devices option and select your disabled iPhone.
  • Step 4. Click on the Erase iPhone option to remove all the data and content from your iOS device.
  • Step 5. Tap Continue and enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
  • erase device in icloud website

Solution 5. Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours via iTunes

If you have installed iTunes on your computer, you can also use iTunes to restore your iPhone and fix the iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours problem. You can follow the steps below to make it.

  • Step 1. Download and install iTunes on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
  • Step 2. Once the connection is done, you should put your iPhone into Recovery mode.
  • Step 3. On the iTunes screen, you will get a prompt that asks you to select Restore or Update. Select Restore.
  • restore iphone with Recovery mode

Part 3. FAQs on How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

  • Q1: Does the 8-hour timer mean my data is already deleted?

    No. Your data is still encrypted on the device. However, because you cannot enter the passcode, the data is essentially inaccessible. The only way to use the phone again is to erase it, which will delete the data. You can then restore from an iCloud backup.

  • Q2: Is there a "Cheat Code" or Emergency Call trick to bypass the timer?

    You may see viral videos claiming that dialing *#*# or SOS unlocks the phone. These are false. The Emergency Call feature is strictly for calling 911 or emergency contacts. It does not bypass the Secure Enclave processor that handles the lock.

Part 4: Conclusion

When your iPhone is disabled, there are still many solutions you can use to fix the problem. Using TunesKit iPhone Unlocker can be the best solution when you can't remember the passcode on your iPhone. TunesKit iPhone Unlocker is a powerful iOS unlocking tool to unlock iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. If you are still having other questions, please feel free to leave us a comment below.

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