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Have you ever tried downloading an app, movie, or purchasing music recently only to be met with a response from the App Store or iTunes Store stating that your Apple ID has been disabled or locked? Apple occasionally disables Apple IDs automatically for security reasons, especially if they suspect your account has been hacked or compromised.
It's great for protecting you from identity theft, but the downside is you often don't understand the issue fully. Hence, you might find the situation quite alarming. This article will answer your questions about why your account is locked and how to recover it.
1. Reasons Why Your Apple ID Account Is Locked
A disabled Apple ID account means you can't sign in or use it for any Apple services like iCloud, Apple Music, and the App Store. Apple locks or disables your Apple ID to enhance security. Typically, this happens when someone enters the wrong password too many times consecutively, and it could also be due to someone attempting to break into your account. In such cases, locking or disabling the account is Apple's way of protecting it against such activities.
If your Apple ID account is locked, you'll receive one of the following messages when attempting to sign in:
- 'This Apple ID has been locked for security reasons'
- 'This Apple ID has been disabled for security reasons'
- 'You can't sign in because your account was disabled for security reasons'
2. How to Recover a Disabled Apple ID Account
To unlock a disabled Apple ID account, you need to verify your identity with Apple. There are various ways Apple requires you to do this, depending on your account's security settings. If the wrong password is entered multiple times after your account is disabled, you may have to wait 24 hours before you can unlock your Apple ID. Here are some ways to unlock a disabled Apple ID. Refer to Reset Apple ID Password here.
2.1. Recovering a Locked Apple ID Account with a Trusted Phone Number
If you've enabled two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, you'll need a trusted device or trusted phone number to unlock your Apple ID. Assuming you see these alerts on an iPhone or iPad, the following steps may help you regain access to your Apple ID account.
Step 1: Tap on Unlock Account.
Step 2: Enter your trusted phone number and tap Next at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Enter the verification code sent to your trusted phone number.
Step 4: To unlock your account, enter your Apple ID password. If you don't remember, tap on Forgot Password.
Step 5: Enter a password and create a new one.
Once completed, you can sign in with your Apple ID and new password.
2.2. Unlocking Your Apple ID Account with Email or Security Questions
If your Apple ID account uses email recovery or security questions, you can access iforgot.apple.com to unlock your account. You'll need your Apple ID username, typically the email address used to create your Apple ID account, which you can find on your Apple device if forgotten.
- On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Settings > Apple ID.
- On Mac: Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID.
Alternatively, you can open the Apple Store, iTunes, or Apple Music to find your Apple ID username within those apps.
Step 1: Visit iforgot.apple.com.
Step 2: Enter your Apple ID and click Continue.
Step 3: Choose how to reset your password: use the recovery email address or answer security questions. Click on the preferred option and click Continue.
- If you choose Get an email, you'll go to the email address registered with your Apple ID and click on Reset Password or Unlock Apple ID > Unlock and Change Password. Then, you'll enter a new password for your Apple ID account, click on Reset Password to reset the password and unlock the disabled Apple ID account.
- If you select Answer Security Question, you'll answer 3 security questions, click Continue, and proceed to unlock your Apple ID account similarly as above.
If you've set up two-factor authentication for your account, on the iforgot.apple.com website, you'll still enter your Apple ID and be prompted to confirm your phone number. Enter the phone number. Then, on your iPhone, tap on the notification sent by Apple and tap Allow to reset the password.
2.3. Unlocking Your Apple ID Account with Account Recovery
If you don't have access to a trusted device and can't set up a new one, the process of changing your password will be a bit more complicated. If you use two-factor authentication and can't sign in or reset your password, you may regain access after a waiting period for account recovery.
Step 1: Request Apple ID account recovery.
- Visit the iforgot.apple.com website.
- Enter your Apple ID and click Continue to proceed.
- Enter your phone number and input the verification code sent to that phone number.
- Click Forgot Password.
- Click Continue to begin the account recovery process.
The account recovery process may take a few days. You can try checking the status of your request at iforgot.apple.com the next day.
Step 2: Regain Access to Your Account
Once your account is ready for recovery, you'll receive a notification from either your phone number or email address with instructions to regain access.
- Visit iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID.
- Confirm the phone number you provided for account recovery. After confirming the phone number, Apple will send you an Account Recovery code via text message or phone call.
- Enter the account recovery code and click Continue.
After correctly entering that code, you can choose a new password, verify your trusted phone number, and log in as usual.
If your Apple ID is disabled for any reason, you can use one of the methods shared above to regain access to your account, avoiding the need to create a new Apple ID.
