If you think your Apple ID has been compromised
Are you concerned that an unauthorized person might have access to your Apple ID? These steps can help you find out and regain control of your account.
Because you use your Apple ID for so many Apple products and services, you should make sure that your Apple ID is as secure as possible. You should be the only person who knows your password and can sign in with your Apple ID. If someone you don’t know or don’t trust can sign in with your Apple ID, your account is not secure.
Here are some reasons why the Apple ID that you're using might not be secure:
- Someone else created an Apple ID on your behalf, or you’re using an Apple ID that was already signed in when you received your device.
- You’re sharing an Apple ID with family or friends. Your Apple ID is your personal account. If you want to share purchases with a family member, use Family Sharing. With Family Sharing, you can share a calendar, photos, reminders, and more without sharing your Apple ID.
- You don’t recognize the Apple ID that is signed in on your device.
- You shared your password with someone else intentionally or unintentionally. For example, someone else selected your password for you, you told someone your password, or you might have entered your password on a "phishing" site.
- You don't have control of the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID.
- Your password is weak or has been compromised.
If any of the above are true, you should use these steps to reset your password as soon as possible and review your account information.
How do I know if my Apple ID was compromised?
Your Apple ID might be compromised if you receive an account notification from Apple for a change you didn't make, or if you notice account details or changes you don’t recognize. For example:
- You receive an email or notification that your Apple ID was used to sign in to a device you don't recognize or did not sign in to recently (for example, "Your Apple ID was used to sign in to iCloud on a Windows PC").
- You receive a confirmation email from Apple that your Apple ID password was changed or your account information was updated, but you don’t remember making any changes.
- Your device was locked or placed in Lost Mode by someone other than you.
- You see messages you didn't send, or items you didn’t delete.
- You see charges or notices for purchases that you didn't make. Use these steps if you see an unfamiliar iTunes Store or App Store charge on your credit or debit card statement.
- Your password no longer works, or it might have been changed or locked.
- You don't recognize some or all of your account details.
If you received an email that you're not sure is valid or you think might be a fraudulent "phishing" email, here are some tips that can help you determine its legitimacy.
How can I gain control of my Apple ID?
If you think your Apple ID was compromised, use these steps to gain control of it and review your account information:
- Sign in to your Apple ID account page. If you can't sign in or you receive a message that the account is locked when you try to sign in, try to reset or unlock your account.
- Change your Apple ID password and choose a strong password.
- Review all the personal and security information in your account. Update any information that isn't correct or that you don’t recognize, including:
- Your name.
- Your primary Apple ID email address.* If you need to change your email address, update the features and services that you use with Apple ID, so that each one is using your updated Apple ID.
- All alternate email addresses, rescue email addresses, and phone numbers.
- Security questions and answers. If you think they might be easy to guess, you should change your security questions.
- The devices that are associated with your Apple ID, if you've already set up two-factor authentication.
If you completed the steps above and think your account might still be compromised, contact Apple Support.
If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204145
