iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down [Why and How to Fix]

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2024-07-30

5min read

By default, when you make multiple wrong screen passcode entries on your iPhone, your screen automatically gets disabled with a countdown timer showing when you could try again. But what if the timer isn’t going down? Then in such case you have to wait indefinitely, which means the likelihood of using the device is zero because there’s no way to access the screen passcode interface due to the unchanging timer. If this is a problem you are battling with and need to fix, don’t miss this post. Here, we will unveil the reasons for “iPhone unavailable timer not going down” and the corresponding solution to resolve it. Continue reading as we shows you how it’s done.

Part 1. Reasons and Fixes for iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

In this section of the post, we have the reasons for the underlying issue and how to fix it. Check and apply any one of the solutions:  

Reason 1: iOS Glitches

iOS glitches from bug attack is one of the principal reasons your iPhone might display the unavailable screen with changeless no timer after multiple wrong screen passcode entries.

Fix 1: Force Restart iPhone

Peradventure the issue stems up from iOS glitches, then force restarting is the best solution to fix it. This solution helps you to refresh your device in such a way that all the bugs that are responsible for the system glitch are cleared. There are multiple ways to force restart your iPhone, depending on the model you own.

Below, we have the guide for the different models. Check and use the one that corresponds with your iPhone model.

iPhone 8/X/11 and Later Models

  • Press the Volume Up button as fast as you can and release it.
  • Hold the Volume Down button and release also.
  • Long press the Side button for a while until your screen displays the Apple logo.

iPhone 7 Series

  • Hold both the Volume Down plus Power buttons together until you see the Apple logo on your screen.

iPhone 6 and Older Models

  • Simultaneously press down the Home button and Power button together.
  • Keep holding the buttons till your screen shows the Apple logo.
  • force restart unavailable iPhone | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Reason 2: Unstable Network Connection

If you have a poor or unstable network connection, you may experience the underlying issue with your iPhone.

Fix 2: Reinstall SIM Card

If your device didn’t connected to WiFi in the past but is using cellular data, then you should try reinstalling the SIM card. Some users online reported that SIM card reinstall solved the issue “Timer doesn’t go down on iPhone Unavailable screen” for them indeed. To reinstall the SIM card on your iOS device, get a SIM card ejector to remove the SIM card tray from your iPhone and insert the tray into your iPhone again.

reinstall SIM card | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Part 2. How to Unlock iPhone Whose Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

If the suggested fixes above don’t work, you should consider unlocking the device using iTunes, iCloud, or a third-party unlock tool. Find below to learn how to get this done via different utilities.

Way 1. Use iTunes

iTunes is the native streaming app for Apple devices. You can also use it to unlock your iPhone if the unavailable timer isn’t ending. The app does this by restoring/wiping the corresponding device in recovery mode. To use iTunes, follow the step-by-step guide down here:

Step 1: Install a suitable version of iTunes on your computer and launch it afterward.

Step 2: Grab your iPhone, turn it off, then put it in recovery mode. This can be done following any of the procedures below:

iPhone X/11 and Later Models

  • Press the Volume Up button and release.
  • Go to the Volume Down button and replicate the same thing.
  • Hold down the Side button.

iPhone 7 Series

  • Long press the Volume Down and Power button concurrently.

iPhone 6 Series and Older Models

  • Press down the Home and Power buttons at the same time.
  • put unavailable iPhone into Recovery Mode | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Step 3: Continue the appropriate button(s) for the iPhone model you own, then connect it to your computer using a reliable USB cable. iTunes on detecting your connection will display the prompt below:

restore unavailable iPhone with iTunes | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Hit the Restore button and wait for iTunes to restore your iPhone.

Way 2. Use Passixer iPhone Unlocker

Passixer iPhone Unlocker is third-party software committed to resolving security restriction problems on iPhone or iPad. It’s helpful in the successful removal of any kind of screen lock configuration including 4/6-digit passcode, custom code and Face/Touch ID you have on your iPhone. Passixer is exceptionally handy when you want to unlock the second-hand device locked with its previous owner’s passcode, forget your newly-set passcode, Face ID doesn’t work and in other scenarios you need to unlock your iPhone without passcode.

Key Features 

  • Bypass screen lock on any iPhone/iPad model with 99.99% success rate.
  • Experience seamless bypassing of iCloud Activation Lock.
  • Remove disabled Apple ID from iDevices without providing any Apple login details.
  • Get rid of MDM and Screen Time Restrictions with zero data loss.

Tutorial Guide to Unlock iPhone Who Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Step 1: Firstly, install Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer from the official website. Run the software, then choose Wipe Passcode when the following screen pops up.

wipe unavailable iPhone passcode with Passixer | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Tap Start on the subsequent interface.

Step 2: Link your locked iPhone to the computer using a workable USB cable. If the connection is done properly and Passixer detects your device, then the screen below will come up:

download firmware to unlock unavailable iPhone with Passixer | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Look through the details displayed and click Start to download the firmware to unlock your iPhone.

Step 3: Wait for the download to finish, then click on Next to proceed. To confirm your unlock operation, fill in 0000 in the blank field and click Unlock.

begin unlocking unavailable iPhone with Passixer  | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

Passixer iPhone Unlocker will commence the unlock operation quickly and it’s time for you to set up your iPhone as new for use now.

Way 3. Use iCloud

Not in possession of a computer to unlock your iPhone but have access to an internet-enabled mobile device? Then you can leverage the Find My feature on your iCloud profile web page to unlock your iPhone. Find My is a multifunctional feature that you can use to track your phone whereabouts when it goes missing. You can also use the feature to reset your iPhone in case you need to unlock it.

Before using this method, you must ensure that the Apple ID and password of your locked iPhone are readily available and Find My is enabled on your iDevice. Once you get this, use the stepwise guide below to unlock your iPhone from your iCloud profile page:

  • Run a web browser and visit iCloud.com on another internet-enabled mobile device, then click Sign In.
  • Provide your Apple ID plus the corresponding password and hit the Enter button on your keyboard. Input 2FA code if necessary.
  • Head to where you have Find My, and click on it.
  • use Find My to unlock unavailable iPhone | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

  • Click All Devices on the following screen and select the locked iPhone from the list displayed.
  • choose unavailable iPhone from All Devices | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

  • On the next screen, go to the left sidebar and click on Erase This Device.
  • erase unavailable iPhone in iCloud | iPhone Unavailable Timer Not Going Down

  • Type your Apple ID password in the field given and wait for Find My to erase the device and return full control to you.

Conclusion

You should apply any of the fixes recommended above whenever you see the iPhone unavailable timer not going down after several wrong passcode entries. If the problem persists, then we suggest that you unlock the device using iCloud, iTunes or Passixer iPhone Unlocker. Passixer iPhone Unlocker offers the easiest approach to complete the screen unlock as there are limited criteria to fulfill. Also, you do not need your previous passcode or Apple ID to complete screen unlock via the software. So why not download it to give a shot now?

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