Unable to Login to Apple ID on Big Sur

I recently updated to Big Sur and have been unable to sign into my Apple ID.


When I go to System Preferences -> Sign in, my log in doesn't exactly fail, it just loops me back to the beginning and asks me to enter my Apple ID and password 11.0.1 again. No error message.


I first noticed the problem when Messages asked me to sign in after the update. I tried logging out of my Apple ID from System Preferences, but have not been unable to log back in.


It still works on my phone, and I have confirmed the login/password I am using is correct. I have tried restarting.

I'm on a MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015) running Big Sur 11.0.1 (20B29).


Thanks for the help, I'm out of ideas.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Nov 16, 2020 6:28 PM

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Posted on Dec 31, 2020 5:17 PM

I had the exact same problem after upgrading from Mojave to Big Sur. Apple support had me boot in recovery mode and re-install Big Sur (ug). Hours later... same problem occurred. Decided to research it myself, and after trying a few things this one worked for me:


  • Make a copy of your own /Users/username/Library/Keychains folder (like on your Desktop)
  • Delete all files in /Users/username/Library/Keychains leaving the folder empty
  • Restart


I forget where I got this from, but huge kudos to that person for posting it.


(If it didn't work I'm sorry... and now put the folder back in place)


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42 replies

Nov 16, 2020 6:57 PM in response to zachg221

Are you running any anti - virus programs? Using a VPN?


Try setting up another admin user account in System Preferences/Users & Groups to see if the same problem continues. Also try the Safe Mode. 


Isolating an issue by using another user account   


Safe Mode - About.       


If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor.  Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown. If the log won’t post, try posting it in Pastebin and provide a link in a reply. After pasting the report in a PasteBin page, go to the top of the page, and copy the address in the URL bar. Paste that in a new reply.        Pastebin.    


Etrecheck – System Information.      


Web site version if required.  https://etrecheck.com

Dec 22, 2020 7:35 AM in response to zachg221

I updated about a month ago, and something similar recently started happening to me. At first, it would ask for me to verify my Apple ID for iCloud about once every few days, then daily, and now it loops as you lay out here. But it seems to be for iCloud preferences only. Facetime and Messages do not require me to log in again and are operating just fine. Screenshot of dialogue attached.




[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Personal Information]

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Unable to Login to Apple ID on Big Sur

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