I'm trying to get into my very old apple account from years ago. I believe it was one of my first accounts but I couldn't remember the password so I went to forgot password, put in the email and it said the account is locked and can't be used. And the account uses an iCloud email. I don't know what to do. Is there any way to get into the account or am I screwed?

I got a notification on my Mac a few days back that there was an issue with my Apple ID. It said I needed to reenter my pass, so I did and I got "This Apple ID is not active. I requested a unlock then a day after I got a email saying they DECLINED my unlock. I contacted support and they confirmed my Apple ID was gone forever and all I could do was create a new one. As I cannot sign out, I created a new one and linked it to App store and iMessage only. I have important things on my iCloud, so that's why I'm so desperate to unlock this account. I saw a post (https://www.reddit.com/r/applehelp/comments/186ej02/my_apple_id_has_been_permanently_disabled_and_was/) and their Apple ID was unlocked randomly. What are the chances this will hopefully happen to me?? I am willing to do anything to get this account back. (I haven't done anything wrong, I read the terms and conditions and I haven't broke them, I am just a normal Apple user. The only thing I did was send "hello" to my friend that day.)

Machine: Macbook 2016 Phone: Note 20 Ultra, Note 8 Services: Primarily gmail accounts, google and samsung for cloud backup.

SHORT VERSION: My apple ID keeps getting locked when I hardly ever mess with it. Im an average computer user who doesn't do much outside of social media, youtube, reddit, quora, pornhub and occassional basic video/image/audio editing. Anyone have thoughts on likely culprits?

LONG VERSION: Why do you suppose this keeps happening seemingly on it's own? I used to think it perhaps had something to do with the rare occasions I used NordVPN because eventually it occured to me thats what kept getting me blocked out of the Mail app. But I havent used a vpn in a long while, like not since 2023. And I don't find myself at an apple ID login screen very much either. If I do it's usually because im trying to download something in the app store, or Dropbox (which I don't really use) is doing that thing where it randomly alerts me that I can't use it until I login with my Apple ID.

It's always months inbetween attempts, but whenever I end up needing to (certain the login info is correct), it tells me my "Apple ID has been locked for security reasons". When I go through the annoying procedure of unlocking it, it always takes some ridiculous extra steps because it never accepts my security answers. As if I forgot my first dog........yea right. As I am not especially cybersecurity literate, i am not sure whether this reads like a hacker threat or just a security wire I somehow keep tripping.

In summary, I am running out of oomph for this and im developing the habit of just saying "screw it" to any mundane problem that takes more than 60 seconds to fix. It's not even a laziness thing, it's simply becoming a "do i even care that much?" thing. I know these companies are trying to make our information more safe and secure but holy sheep sheet, it's just getting more and more annoying to deal with and making it easier and easier to leave it for other things. Is it just me?

So i made and account on sunday to use the Apple TV trial and as soon as i made it i got locked out of the account I JUST MADE but i am still able to use the app on my phone but cant manage it and sent an email to change the password and a day later my request got denied and decides to make another request and this Happen.

So now i cant log in and my card info is there and they are going to charge me for something i cant use

So I bought my wife her first ever apple product (an Ipad A16) to do some drawing/digital media creation. We created an apple account and set up the new ipad, went to the app store and purchased a specific app that she knew she wanted, after which she also installed netflix/hulu and everything was fine. She only used it for about 20-30 mins after that just testing out her new app and deleting some apps she knew she wouldn't use. The next morning it said she had to sign in again, but gave us "an unknown error has occurred" after entering the password. We can use the ipad and use the apps we have already downloaded, but we cannot download anything else. We went online to icloud.com to try and sign in, and it said her account had been locked for security reasons. We had to fill out an unlock request and send it off, and this morning we got an email back saying the request had been denied. Now we aren't even given the option to request the unlock again, when we put in the email/password it just says "Your account has been locked and cannot be used". I called apple support and they said removing the activation lock "might" work, but we cannot sign in to request it and we cannot sign in to request a refund for the purchase we made in order to justify a new account. Any Ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I was on my Mac this evening and randomly got a prompt that my Apple ID was locked for security reasons. I quickly checked my other Apple devices and everything was locked on those as well. I couldn't even use my AirPods.

I use 2FA and didn't see any unusual prompts or login attempts anywhere, so I contacted Apple support before going through the process of resetting my password — just to be safe. While on the phone, I was able to reset my password on my Mac, after which I recovered my account and got back into all of my devices.

However, Apple couldn't tell me why my Apple ID got locked. I asked if anyone attempted to access my account and the rep said they couldn't really see that. He then suggested that, if I was concerned about it, I could check my device list for unknown devices. So, I did and there was nothing there.

Any one else ever had their Apple ID randomly locked like this? I just want to make sure there's nothing else I should be doing on my end to secure my account.

Hey Reddit, I have been having extreme Apple Account issues for the last few months and was wondering if anyone knows what I should do. I've attached my email I sent to Apple, but once again have been redirected to the sample apple support website and help line that I've tried to fix this issue through time and time again.

Dear Apple Support Team,

I am reaching out regarding an urgent and ongoing issue with my Apple ID, which has been inoperable since October 17, 2024. On that day, I woke up to find all my Apple devices prompting me to re-enter my login information for security reasons. However, upon attempting to sign in, I was met with a message stating that my account was locked.

Since then, I have submitted four separate account recovery requests, all of which have failed. I have visited the Apple Store twice, spent over three hours on calls with Apple Support, and despite my persistence, I continue to receive the same response: “There is nothing we can do, just submit another recovery request.”

This issue has severely impacted my ability to use Apple’s services and devices:

• I cannot download or update apps, including those I have paid for.

• Find My, FaceTime, and iMessage on my Mac and iPad are unusable.

• AirDrop and iCloud access are completely blocked, preventing me from accessing years of photos and important documents.

• I am unable to cancel or manage in-app subscriptions linked to my Apple ID.

• I cannot update software like Logic Pro X on my Mac.

• I receive “re-sign into your Apple ID” prompts around 35 times per day, making my devices frustrating to use.

Most frustratingly, even performing a full reset of my devices is not an option, as I am required to re-enter my Apple ID password, which I am locked out of.

As someone who has invested heavily in Apple products, I am deeply disappointed with the lack of resolution. I am now at a point where I need escalation beyond standard support channels. I am requesting immediate assistance from a higher-level support specialist who can provide a direct and effective solution rather than another failed recovery attempt.

I know it has been some time since the issue started, but after all of my failed attempts to fix this, I gave up. I figured it would be more productive for me to get on with my life and just use my devices with the handicaps they now possess. But with all of my apps going out of date, my borderline inoperable phone, and the money I am losing with the subscriptions I bought through iCloud I no longer need, I thought it was long overdue to try and find a solution. 

Please let me know the next steps to resolve this issue as soon as possible. I appreciate your immediate attention and look forward to hearing from you promptly. Attached is my email history surrounding this subject matter.

Best regards,

(My name)

I was using it like normal and on a random Thursday it got locked, ignored it and learned now I can’t update apps/ download apps

Basically I need help on how to get it un-locked cause apple support keeps pulling the BS of sending me the entire ToS article expecting me to read that shit, off I gave it to ChatGPT to read and it states it’s either cause of

1. Fraud( I have never committed fraud)

2. Problems with parent account going down a the account of a Minor( My parents accounts are completely fine)

3. They made a mistake( Probably)

So what can I do cause they said that I would need to re-buy apps I bought like Minecraft ( which would delete my worlds) and Fortnite

15 years ago I got my first Apple product (Ipod Touch) and set up my Apple ID. My ID is ([email protected]). This is the same Apple ID on my current device (iPhone XS Max).

Every time I open my iPhone and multiple times throughout the day I am prompted with a message to Sign in to iCloud using my Apple ID. I know my password, so I enter it. I'm then prompted to verify my Apple ID in settings. I go to settings and am told my ID is locked and I need to verify my account.

Here is my issue: I do not have access to this email account anymore and I don't know the answers to my security questions. This was my original childhood email that has since been closed due to inactivity, and I don't know why I can't answer the questions correctly. I probably set these up 15 years ago back when I got that iPod touch and never wrote down the answers.

I've submitted an activation unlock request through Apple that showed proof of purchase but was denied and told they cannot share any more information and that I won't be allowed to submit a second request.

I cannot log in to my Apple ID. I cannot log out to add a different Apple ID. I cannot backup my phone to the iCloud account of my new Apple ID.

I am planning to buy a new device, but as soon as I try to backup from iCloud or backup from my computer, I'm going to be asked again to log in to my Apple ID. Apple has put their hands up saying there's nothing more they can do and I'm losing my mind.

Has anyone gone through this? I don't know what else to do. I guess my only option is to buy a new phone, use a new apple id, and just be OK with the fact that I will lose all the data on my phone (photos, contacts, videos, messages, etc)?

I've been a huge Apple fan for 15+ years but this is absolutely ridiculous at this point.

A few months back my Apple ID got locked for security reasons according to the pop up, but I can’t remember my password or security question answers. I’ve been able to use the phone relatively normally aside from updating apps or downloading new ones. Is there some way I can remove my old Apple ID so I can replace it with a new one? Or do I need to get a whole new phone and go from there?

Hi I need a big help....I wanted to log in with my Apple ID on my new MacBook, but I forgot the password and insert it wrong couple of times.

After that I tried to reset my password follow all of the instructions and at the end I got massage < your Apple ID is locked for security reasons we will send u the information about changing your password in about 24h once we verify that's u. >

Its now 40h later from the 1st massage and I didn't get shit.

I try to called apple support he just told me to do exactly what I did 7times before... after all that he told me to wait for the email "that I'm about to get"

I also tried iForgot, apple website that u can provide them with the information like your debit card that u are using to pay for iCloud and iTunes, u also get a code to your phone number and email and.....

I have all the information but I can't do shit. I'm also logged in my Apple ID on my iPhone but I can't do nothing with it.

Im really lost cuz I need to get in my account ASAP. So if anyone had similar problems pls help.

Thank you all so much for the help.

So, my dad lost his iPhone yesterday (with my iCloud in it) and we tried to locate the person that stole it but as soon as I did, maybe 30mn later I got an email saying that the Findmy feature has been deactivated on that iPhone

Now my problem is, somehow the account in my main phone (not even a new phone, I had this phone for over a year) is blocked and apparently I need the other phone (which I just lost) to reset the password

Can’t install apple support because I need the apple account in the App Store And tried to recover it by mail and phone number but I can’t get any SMS

Hi all, my elderly father in law is having this issue. The phone and account are both his.

I found a password of his that gets us past the account login screen, but after that it says the account is locked. I initiated steps to recover it using a phone number as well as an email. I’ve gotten emails back that state someone from Apple will call at a certain time but it has never happened.

This has been going on for weeks and I’m at a loss for how to proceed. Is there better way to get in touch with support at Apple or get a response?

So for some odd reason, I tried downloading an app and it asked me to put in my password (mind you I have not changed my password ever) and it said incorrect password, did it multiple times and now my account is locked for security reasons. I then went through the whole 24 hour waiting period only to find out my account is in recovery for the next 14 days. Waited the whole 14 days only for the problem not to be solved. Everytime I do forgot password and put in my right information it’s a recurring process of waiting another 14 days. I can’t access any of my music nor update my apps. This is complete bullshit for a billion dollar company. Apple support is no help either. Any suggestions?

Im selling my Apple vision pro and when i try to log out af my apple id this comes up. “apple account locked and can't be used “ And the new owner cant us his apple id. What can i do?

I tried installing and updating apps on my iPhone, but a pop-up said, “Your media & purchases account is disabled.” I contacted Apple Support, and they told me to reset my Apple ID password and log back in. I did that, and my account signed in fine, but when I tried to access the App Store, it said, “Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes.” Then, when I tried to check the Payments & Shipping section in my Apple ID settings, it showed "You cannot login because your account has been locked." Now, when I try to login my account in App store, it wouldn’t let me log in and said my account was locked.

Hi,

Suddenly today my Apple ID seems to have locked, and I wound up using the iforgot.apple.com/unlock to request to reset it. I couldn't just change my password, I believe at one point I got the message it was locked for security reasons. I have to assume someone was attempting to crack my password?

After entering my contact info on the account, I'm told Apple will contact my email address after reviewing my request to access my account. It says this could take a day.

My question, how long does this process take for others who have done it? Being locked out is quite impactful right now. It's a bit unnerving.

Thanks in advance...

For the last several months, my Apple account gets locked out daily. I have no idea why or what's causing it and contacting Apple hasn't yielded many results. I've reset my password several times but literally every day I go to log in, it tells me my account has been locked out again.

Is there a way to see everywhere that I'm signed in and what could be causing the lockout? Anyone have any other suggestions? I don't always need to log into my apple account every day but it's becoming a PITA to have to do this every single time I log in for something.

I tried too many times to unlock my account and now my apple id is lock. I tried calling apple assistance and they said that the account is in recovery. I received a text saying that I will receive instructions on june 10 to recover my apple id but when i check on the site of iforgot.apple.com the waiting time is still 5 days today is june 6 is should be 4 days. Its my 1st time having an apple product please bear with me. Is there someone who had same problem with me? How did it go? Should i wait? I readl alot of post here and they said they are on loop with this process.

Please, help! My friend’s Macbook accidentally locked after changing phone number in Apple ID. Now it has Activation Lock and he doesn’t have access to the account, because it says that account is inactive. If he tries to restore a password it says «Account is locked. This account is locked and can’t be used».