How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours with or without Data Loss

by Lorena Hill

Updated on 2024-08-20

5min read

“Hi there,

I forgot the screen passcode to my iPhone and decided to try out some unlock codes to see if it would work out. Unfortunately, my device got disabled after multiple attempts and now I’m being asked to wait 8 hours before trying again. Please, how do I fix it because I can’t wait that long?”

Having to wait 8 hours before trying your screen passcode again is a very long time, especially when you have something crucial to complete on your device. If this is a problem you are dealing with on your iPhone and need to fix it, then this post is what you need. Here, we will cover how to resolve “iPhone unavailable, try again in 8 hours”. Continue reading!

iPhone 8 Hours Unavailable | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Part 1. When Does Your iPhone Show Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

You will encounter the error “iPhone unavailable, try again in 8 hours” on your iPhone when you input the wrong screen passcode approximately 9 times consecutively and this is common with iOS devices running on iOS 15.2 or later versions.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours without Data Loss

Firstly, we suggest waiting for the stipulated period displayed on your iPhone to fix the underlying issue. It’s possible you have recalled the screen passcode or find it in one of your notes if you’ve documented it in the past. There’s no data loss when implementing this approach. You just have to be certain you have the correct passcode before trying again when the 8-hour timer is completed.

Part 3. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours [Data Loss]

Unable to remember the correct passcode or don’t want to wait 8 hours instead? Then one of the following solutions should help you bypass your screen passcode and reclaim full control of your device. Check and use any one that suits you:

Way 1. Erase iPhone on Lock Screen

When to Use: Your screen becomes disabled and displays “iPhone Unavailable, Try Again in 8 Hours” with the Erase iPhone option at the bottom right corner of your screen. It’s at this stage you can use this solution. The Erase iPhone option helps you wipe your device by clearing all custom data and configurations on it, including the screen passcode configuration you established. However, mind you, this solution works for selected iOS versions, mostly those running on iOS 15.2 or later.

How to Use

    • Once your iPhone shows the “iPhone Unavailable, Try Again in 8 Hours screen”, click on Erase iPhone at the lower right corner.
    • Next, your iPhone will display a piece of information describing the aftermath of your action. Click Erase iPhone to proceed.
    • Type the password of the Apple ID shown on your screen and wait for your phone to erase.

erase iPhone from lock screen | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Way 2. Remove Screen Lock from iPhone

You should consider removing the screen lock established on your iPhone when Erase iPhone option doesn’t show on unavailable screen, you use a secondhand device with unknown unlocking details or your broken iPhone screen can’t accept your passcode, etc. To do this, you need a professional iOS unlock tool like Passixer iPhone Unlocker. With the software, you can remove all kinds of screen locks including passcode and Face/Touch ID from any iPhone model effectively without having to provide your Apple ID details or previous screen passcode. Aside from unlocking the screen passcode, Passixer is also useful for the removal of Apple ID, MDM profile, and Screen Time Passcode.

Key Features

  • Bypass 4/6 numeric passcode, custom passcode and Face/Touch ID on your iDevice without hassles.
  • Bypass iCloud Activation Lock from iPhone or iPad with no Apple credentials.
  • Remove forgotten iTunes backup password so that you can back up your iPhone with iTunes again.
  • Fully suitable with all iOS/iPadOS versions and models.

Steps to Remove Screen Lock from iPhone with Passixer

Download and install Passixer on your PC/Mac, then apply the stepwise guide below to remove screen lock from your iPhone:

Step 1: Locate the Wipe Passcode button displayed on the software main interface on your computer screen.

choose Wipe Passcode Passixer to unlock unavailable screen | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

On the new screen that follows, click Start and move to the next stage of the guide.

Step 2: After that, connect the iPhone to your computer with the help of a USB cable. When Passixer detects your device, the software will quickly scan and suggest suitable firmware to get rid of the screen lock. Download the firmware by tapping on the Start button.

download firmware to unlock unavailable screen | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Step 3: Once the firmware is fully downloaded, move on by clicking Next. Type 0000 in the field provided on the subsequent interface and click Unlock to confirm your unlocking operation. Passixer on receiving your request will commence the screen unlock removal on the iPhone.

confirm unlocking unavailable screen | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Wait a while for the operation to finish. Then you can detach the iPhone from your computer and start using it without “iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours” error.

Way 3. Reset iPhone via Find My

Subjecting your iPhone to factory reset is another approach you can try to fix the underlying issue. This can be completed using the Find My feature on your iCloud profile page or the one that comes with your iDevice which is usually in the app version. We will look at each one of them in the next section of this guide. However, before we delve into the guide, it’s essential that you have the password to the Apple ID connected to the iPhone you want to fix and Find My iPhone is enabled before your iPhone becomes unavailable.

Find My in Site

When to Use: If you have access to a workable computer or Android phone which has a stable network connection to access your iCloud profile page, then this method is a cool one to try out.

How to Use

    • Visit the official website for iCloud using the internet-enabled device you have in your possession and click on Sign In on the main interface that appears.
    • Type your Apple ID and the corresponding password in the field provided and click the appropriate icon to proceed to your profile page. If asked to provide 2FA, check one of the devices that’s linked to your Apple ID to copy and paste the code.
    • Next, locate Find My and click on it when your iCloud profile loads up.

choose Find My for unlocking unavailable screen | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

    • Head to where you have All Devices, click on it and a drop-down menu with the list of Apple devices that use your Apple ID will come up. Select the faulty iPhone from the list.

choose unavailable iPhone | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

    • On the subsequent screen, click on Erase This Device and input your Apple ID password when the prompt shows on your screen.

tap Erase This iPhone to unlock unavailable screen | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

After completing the above, your iPhone will be wiped automatically and the issue you are faced with will be cleared.

Find My in App Version

When to Use: In case you have another accessible iPhone or iPad, you can leverage the Find My app to reset your faulty iDevice and thus your iPhone will become available again.

How to Use

    • Make sure your Apple ID is logged in on the other iPhone or iPad you use to restore the unavailable iPhone to factory settings.
    • Launch Find My app and click on the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen displayed.
    • Swipe up and select the iPhone with unavailable screen issues from the list that pops up.
    • Next, click Erase This Device and provide the password to your Apple profile in the field provided. After that, the resetting process will begin.

use Find My to unlock unavailable screen | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Part 4. How to Fix iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours and The Timer Doesn’t Go Down

Perhaps you decided to wait for the 8 hours to lapse when your iPhone displays the underlying issue but the timer isn’t going down, how do you go about it? If you are in such a situation, it’s recommended that you force restart the iPhone to resolve it. Sometimes the problem could be as a result of a bug attack, insufficient RAM storage, or a temporary glitch- all of which can be fixed when you subject your device to force restart.

Force restarting follows different approaches for the different models of iPhone. Check and select the guide that matches your device model from the list below:

iPhone 8/X/11 and Later Models

  • Locate and hold down the Volume Up button, then release it.
  • Do the same thing for the Volume Down button too.
  • Now, long press the Side button till your screen displays the Apple logo then you can let go of the button.

 iPhone 7 Series

  • Simultaneously press down the Volume Down and Power buttons.
  • Keep holding on to both buttons until you see the Apple logo.

iPhone 6 Series/5 Series and Earlier Models

    • Press the Power and Home buttons together at the same time.
    • Continue pressing down the buttons till you find the Apple logo popped up on your screen.

force restart iPhone to fix timer not down | iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours

Part 5. How to Avoid iPhone Unavailable Try Again in 8 Hours Next Time

To prevent “iPhone unavailable try again in 8 hours” issue from occurring in the future, here are some pro tips to try out:

  • Ensure you use a screen passcode that’s easy to remember for you but difficult for intruders to guess.
  • Update your iPhone operating system from time to time.
  • Do not make multiple wrong entries if you are unsure of your passcode.

Conclusion

Ultimately, resolving “iPhone Unavailable, Try Again in 8 Hours” isn’t a challenge when you have the right guide at hand. With the solutions provided in this post, you can reclaim full control of your locked iPhone without hassles. Choose and use the solution that works best for you while considering the conditions linked to each one of them. Passixer is our most preferred solution from the list. The software offers a simple yet professional way to unlock a disabled iPhone without stressing the user with the provision of the previous passcode or Apple ID.

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