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Removing old Apple ID before selling iphone

I have an old phone with my old Apple ID which is no longer in use as I set up a new 1, the email address is also no longer in use as I closed this down, how can I reset and erase all content if I no longer know the password linked to my old Apple ID and the only option I can find is to send a verification code to an email address no longer in use????

iPhone 7

Posted on Dec 10, 2019 2:25 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 10, 2019 2:29 PM

contact Apple ID Support. Have a copy of the original purchase receipt with the serial number on it available.


Apple ID Support


Apple ID Support (2) 


Apple Support by e-mail or chat    Work through the screens to get a chat option. 


Apple Support using Twitter


Or fill out and submit this form.          The form is for iTunes, but it will get passed to the ID Support section.  


From the article below. 


Without proof of your identity via security questions and other carefully selected criteria, Apple Support can't help you reset a password or perform any other actions on your account. These policies are audited and reviewed on a regular basis.


Security and your Apple ID

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 10, 2019 2:29 PM in response to nichola97

contact Apple ID Support. Have a copy of the original purchase receipt with the serial number on it available.


Apple ID Support


Apple ID Support (2) 


Apple Support by e-mail or chat    Work through the screens to get a chat option. 


Apple Support using Twitter


Or fill out and submit this form.          The form is for iTunes, but it will get passed to the ID Support section.  


From the article below. 


Without proof of your identity via security questions and other carefully selected criteria, Apple Support can't help you reset a password or perform any other actions on your account. These policies are audited and reviewed on a regular basis.


Security and your Apple ID

Dec 10, 2019 3:35 PM in response to nichola97

If you’re unable to get the verification code, and no longer remember the password to the email that’s used, you're going to be outa luck in accessing the account. Apple Support likely won’t be able to do anything for you either (because they do an awesome job at keeping your account secure).


As for deleting data and resetting the iPhone, you would accomplish this by going to General>Reset>Erase All Content and Settings. If you need to, you should still be able to sign out if you don’t know the password.


One more thing, if you need to, since you don’t have access to the iCloud Account/ID, make sure to BACKUP EVERYTHING before deleting data and content.

Removing old Apple ID before selling iphone

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