How Many Attempts to Unlock iPhone [Video Guide]

If you keep entering the wrong iPhone passcode, iPhone lockout times get longer quickly. On recent iOS versions, including iOS 27, you may see messages such as iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout after too many failed attempts.

This guide explains how many attempts you get to unlock iphone, what the longest iPhone lockout time means, and what recovery options are available when you are locked out of your own iPhone.

Quick answer

You usually get at least 5 wrong passcode attempts on end before the iPhone starts locking you out for 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes, and longer. After enough failed attempts, iPhone may show Security Lockout or iPhone Unavailable. If you cannot remember the passcode, unlocking or erasing the device usually removes the current data on the iPhone unless you have a usable backup.

Apple does not present passcode attempts as a simple unlimited counter. The normal pattern is that iPhone allows several failed attempts, then increases the wait time. The exact screen wording can vary by iOS version, device settings, and whether the device shows iPhone Unavailable or Security Lockout.

If Erase Data is turned on, the iPhone may erase itself after 10 failed passcode attempts. If it is off, the device may continue showing unavailable or security lockout screens until you use a recovery path.

After too many failed tries, iPhone protects the device by slowing down passcode entry. This prevents someone from guessing the code repeatedly. If the passcode is forgotten, the recovery path normally requires erasing the device or removing the screen lock through a supported unlock workflow.

Before you do anything, stop entering guesses. Check whether you have an iCloud backup, Finder backup, Apple Devices backup, or other backup you can restore from later.

Use only methods for an iPhone you own or are authorized to unlock. Passcode removal and device erase methods can remove the current data on the device, so restore from a backup afterward if one is available.

1 Unlock Your Own iPhone with LockWiper

When iPhone is stuck on Security Lockout, iPhone Unavailable, or a long lockout timer and you no longer remember the passcode, iMyFone LockWiper gives you a guided screen-passcode removal workflow for your own device. It is useful when Touch ID or Face ID is not available and the screen passcode is the blocker.

Unlock iPhone & Remove Lockout Timer

• Remove 4-digit, 6-digit, custom numeric, and alphanumeric screen passcodes.
• Work with locked, disabled, unavailable, or Security Lockout iPhone screens.
• Guide the device into Recovery Mode or DFU Mode when required.
• Download firmware and complete the screen unlock workflow step by step.

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Video Tutorial about How to Remove iPhone Lock out Times via LockWiper

Steps to Unlock Security Lockout iPhone Without Passcode with LockWiper

Step 1. Download and launch LockWiper. On the load-up screen, choose Unlock Screen Passcode.

Step 2. Now connect your iPhone to your computer. Click Start and download the firmware package. Then extract it simply by clicking Start to Extract.

Step 3. Now click Start Unlock and enter 000000 to verify that you want to unlock your locked or disabled iPhone.

Step 4. LockWiper starts to unlock security lockout iPhone and clear iPhone lock times, this whole process completes in less than 5 minutes.

2 Erase iPhone from Security Lockout

If your iPhone shows an Erase iPhone or similar recovery option on the lock screen, you can use it with your Apple Account credentials. This removes the current device data and lets you set up the iPhone again.

3 Restore with Finder / Apple Devices / iTunes

Connect the iPhone to a computer, put it into Recovery Mode if needed, then use Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes to restore it. Apple's restore path removes the device data and installs iOS again.

4 Erase with iCloud or Find My

If Find My was enabled and the iPhone is online, go to iCloud.com or Find My, select the device, and choose erase. This is useful when you cannot connect the iPhone to a computer.

If you can still unlock the device, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode, then check Erase Data. Turning it off prevents the device from automatically erasing after 10 failed passcode attempts.

Is there unlimited passcode attempts on iPhone?

No. iPhone increases lockout time after repeated wrong passcodes and may eventually show Security Lockout or iPhone Unavailable.

What is the longest iPhone lockout time?

A common longest timed lockout is 1 hour. After more failed attempts, the device may require erase or unlock recovery instead of showing another timer.

How many tries do I get before iPhone is disabled?

The first lockout commonly appears after the sixth wrong attempt, then the wait time grows. The exact wording depends on iOS version and device settings.

Will unlocking a locked iPhone erase data?

Most passcode recovery methods erase the current data on the iPhone. You can restore your data afterward only if you have a backup.

Wrong iPhone passcode lock times are designed to protect your device. If you only made a few mistakes, wait for the timer and enter the correct code carefully. If you are locked out and cannot remember the passcode, use Apple erase/restore options or a guided unlock tool for your own device.

iMyFone LockWiper can help with screen passcode removal when Security Lockout or iPhone Unavailable blocks access, but it should be used only on a device you own or are authorized to unlock.

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Article by

Aaron Donald

Aaron, senior editor of iMyFone, can deliver high-quality and practical solutions for iPhone unlocking and related issues. He always believes that technology should make the complicated easy.