If you’re dealing with a locked Apple ID, we understand how frustrating it can be. This issue often arises due to various security reasons and can prevent you from accessing Apple services like Apple Music, iTunes, iCloud and App Store. Fortunately, there are several solutions to unlock your Apple ID and we’ll guide you through them in this post.
Apple changed the name of Apple ID to Apple Account in 2024.
What Happens If Your Apple ID Account Is Locked
Apple ID is extremely important for every Apple user. Without it, you are unable to fully use your Apple devices. Here are the main consequences if your Apple ID is locked and you cannot access it.
- You can’t use the Apple services, such as backing up iPhone with iCloud, tracking iPad via Find My iPhone, downloading apps using App Store, etc.
- If iCloud Activation Lock is shown on your Apple device, you can’t bypass the iCloud lock with the Apple ID.
How to Unlock Apple ID If It’s Locked for Security Reasons
Security reasons, such as many wrong password attempts and repeatedly providing incorrect answers to security questions, are common causes of a locked Apple ID. At that time, you need to reset the Apple ID password to unlock your Apple ID. We will show you how to do this online or directly in the Settings app in this part.
Messages You Will Receive If Your Apple ID Is Locked for Security Reasons
- This Apple Account has been disabled for security reasons.
- You can’t sign in because your account was disabled for security reasons.
- This Apple Account has been locked for security reasons.
How Long Will Apple ID Stay Locked
Once your Apple ID gets locked due to consecutive wrong password attempts, your Apple ID will be locked for 24 hours. This means you can only try another password combination the next day.
How to Unlock Apple ID Free Online via iForgot Website
The iForgot website is one of the quickest solutions you can use whenever you encounter Apple ID lock issue. This website allows you to recover lost or forgotten Apple ID passwords just by using your email/phone number, security questions or recovery key. Read on to learn how to use iForgot website for Apple ID unlock.
Option 1: Use Phone Number
If you enabled 2FA authentication and have access to the phone number associated with your iCloud account, you can reset your Apple ID password via the iForgot website using your phone number. The steps are as follows.
Step 1: Launch the iforgot.apple.com via your device’s browser and click on “Reset Password”.
Step 2: Enter your Apple ID and the “Characters” in the image in the provided fields. Then, click “Continue”.
Step 3: Enter the “Phone Number” linked to your Apple ID and click “Continue”.
Step 4: A dialogue box should appear on any of your Apple Devices. Click or tap on “Allow” to authorize the operation.
Step 5: After you “Allow” access from your Apple device, follow the on-screen instructions to change the Apple ID password.
Option 2: Via Email/Security Questions
Step 1: Open iforgot.apple.com on your browser.
Step 2: Enter your email or phone number and type in the security characters. Then, click “Continue” to proceed.
Step 3: Select my password and click “Continue”.
Step 4: You should see two options on the new screen. This includes, “Get an email” and “Answer security questions”. Select the relevant option to reset your Apple ID password. Then, click “Continue”.
Step 5: Provide the correct answer to your security question and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the operation.
Option 3: Through Recovery Key
This option is for users who have set up two-step verification before their Apple ID got locked. It enables you to unlock your Apple ID without password using a recovery key. Here is how:
Step 1: Go to “Apple ID Account” page and choose “Forget Apple ID and Passcode”.
Step 2: Provide your Apple ID and choose a preferred option to reset your password. Then, click on “Continue”.
Step 3: Once you’re asked for your “Recovery Key”, enter it in the provided box as shown in the screenshot below and click “Continue”.
Step 4: Choose a trusted device to receive verification code. Then, use the received code to create a new password and choose “Reset Password”.
How to Unlock Apple ID in iPhone Settings
There are two efficient ways to unlock Apple ID with password via your iPhone settings. You can either change your Apple ID password with your iPhone screen passcode or reset your Apple ID using security keys. We’ve discussed how each of these techniques works below.
Option 1. Change Apple ID Password With Screen Passcode in Settings
Step 1: Go to “Settings” on your iPhone and tap on your Apple ID name banner.
Step 2: Tap on “Sign-In & Security” and select “Change Password”.
Step 3: You’ll be asked to enter your iPhone current passcode. Please type the correct passcode.
Step 4: Finally, type your “New password” that you’d like to use in signing into your Apple ID henceforth. Then, tap on “Change” to finish the operation.
Option 2. Reset Apple ID Password Via Security Keys in Settings
Step 1: Go to the “Settings” app and tap on your “Apple ID” banner.
Step 2: Choose “Sign-In & Security”.
Step 3: Select “Change Password” and find the option that says “Security Key”. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
How to Unlock Apple ID with Apple Support App
Another Apple device (maybe from a family member or a close friend) is required to use this method. Also, you must have access to the phone number that is associated with the locked Apple ID.
Learn the steps to use this method below:
Step 1: Open the “App Store” app on another iPhone or iPad and download the Apple Support app.
Step 2: Open the downloaded app and navigate to "Support Tools".
Step 3: Choose “Reset Password” and select “A different Apple ID”.
Step 4: Enter your “Locked Apple ID” and tap on “Next”.
Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to reset the password.
How to Unlock Apple ID When Receiving the “Account Locked” Prompt
If you are informed that your Apple ID is disabled via the Account Locked alert on your iPhone/iPad/Mac, you can directly choose the Request Access option in the message to unlock your Apple ID. After tapping the button, you will need to input your email or phone number used with your account, verify your account via two-factor authentication, security questions, etc. If verification fails, you will be taken through the account recovery process which could take up to several days.
If the “Request Access” option is unavailable, you will see a message saying “This Apple Account is locked and can’t be used”. In such cases, the Apple ID is permanently locked and you will need to create a new Apple ID to fully use Apple services.
Bonus: How to Remove Locked Apple ID From iPhone
To remove a locked Apple ID from your iPhone, there are several important points to keep in mind.
If Find My iPhone is turned off, you can directly remove the locked Apple ID from your iPhone by using the Settings app and here are the steps.
- 1. Go to Settings > General.
- 2. Choose Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- 3. Hit Erase All Content and Settings.
- 4. Enter the device passcode when prompted.
When Find My iPhone is enabled, a factory reset can’t help delete the locked Apple ID from your iPhone because of iCloud Activation Lock. iCloud Activation Lock requires the related Apple ID and password, but the Apple ID is locked now.
- – To avoid the Activation Lock, you can use Passixer iPhone Unlocker to unlink the locked Apple ID from your iPhone.
- – To bypass iCloud lock without locked Apple ID, we will share you the ways in the next part.
Passixer iPhone Unlocker is a powerful iOS unlocking tool enabling you to remove Apple ID from your iDevice without password, whether Find My is on or off. You can use it to delete the locked Apple ID from your iPhone without worrying about being stuck on iCloud Activation Lock. Moreover, Passixer boasts 99% success rate in Apple ID removal and it is compatible with all iPhone models.
How to Use Passixer to Remove Locked Apple ID from iPhone
Start Accessing the Remove Apple ID Feature in Passixer
Download and install the “Passixer iPhone Unlocker” app on your computer and launch it. Click on “Remove Apple ID” from the main interface and connect your iOS device to the computer.
Click Start
Click on the “Start” button on the new page and do the following depending on your situation.
Case 1: If Find My is Off
Simply wait for Passixer to remove locked Apple ID from your iPhone without requiring any extra clicks.
Case 2: Find My is On (iOS 11.4 or Earlier)
Go to your iPhone Settings and select the following: General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
Once you complete that, your iPhone settings will reset to default, and then Passixer will remove Apple ID from your device.
Case 3: Find My is On (iOS 11.4 or Later)
Prepare Your iPhone for Apple ID Removal
Set a screen passcode for your iPhone if there isn’t. Then, follow the on-screen instructions and confirm that two-factor authentication is enabled on your iPhone. Once both the screen passcode and 2FA are set up, enter “0000” into the empty box as shown in the screenshot below and click “Confirm”.
Confirm the Apple ID Removal
Passixer will access your device’s information and display it on your screen for confirmation. Be sure to confirm the information and click “Start” to download the “Firmware” package.
Start Removing Locked Apple ID from iPhone
Once the Firmware download is complete, enter “0000” into the provided box and click on “Unlock” to finalize the operation.
Extra Tip: How to Remove iCloud Activation Lock When Apple ID Is Locked
Luckily, you can unlock iCloud Activation Lock on your iPhone even without Apple ID and here are 3 common options for you.
- Use the Screen Passcode: If you see a Unlock with Passcode option in the Activation Lock screen, tap it and choose Use Device Passcode. Finally, enter the passcode to access your device.
- Submit an Apple ID Unlock Request: Prepare the proof of purchase in advance. Go to al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support and follow the onscreen steps to complete the request.
Alternatively, you can get Passixer iPhone Unlocker on your computer to bypass iCloud Activation Lock without Apple ID and password within 3 steps.
Bypass iCloud Activation Lock or Locked to Owner on iPhone/iPad/iPod touch without Apple ID, screen passcode or previous owner.
Conclusion
By now, you should already know the causes of locked Apple ID on iPhone and the different ways to resolve it effectively. Just ensure to follow the steps we provided for accurate results. We also recommend that you use Passixer iPhone Unlocker to remove the locked Apple ID from your iPhone when you fail to get your Apple ID unlocked.