After changing apple id password, cannot login w/apple id on macbook

Question

Level 1

12 points

After changing apple id password, cannot login w/apple id on macbook

After being unable to login to icloud, imessage and app store on my macbook, I changed my apple id password (went through the sequence several times). This has been successful on my ios devices and I can login t icloud, apple id and app store from a browser, but cannot login from the macbook. When I type in the password, I get an error message: Verification failed, an unknown error occurred. So, none of my icloud accounts is syncing with the macbook. I've also tried a forced restart on the mac. What else can I try? Thanks!

MacBook Pro 13″, 10.15

Posted on Nov 27, 2020 2:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

684,573 points

Nov 27, 2020 6:13 PM in response to sterlepj

If you have changed your ID or password, have you followed the steps in this article?

What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support.

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

Reply

Answer 2

sterlepj Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 28, 2020 10:41 AM in response to Eric Root

I ran through the "What to do after you change your Apple ID . . ." again, just to be sure.

Then I created the new admin user and the problem seems to have been solved: in that new account I can login to messages, itunes, icloud, and facetime, plus set up my gmail account in mail.

I tried opening up in safe mode and the problems persisted there, so I didn't go any further with your suggestions.

So, do I use this new admin account now? And since none of my content (docs, 1password account, photos, etc.) is currently in the new user account, how to I identify what might have been the problem when I start bringing in my files from a backup drive?

Thanks much!

Reply

Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,573 points

Nov 28, 2020 10:48 AM in response to sterlepj

You are welcome. Try some more troubleshooting first. In your normal account, are you running any anti - virus programs? Using a VPN?

It may not help, but try running/posting the Etrecheck report in your normal account.

Reply

Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

684,573 points

Nov 28, 2020 2:46 PM in response to sterlepj

You have adware installed.

Run EtreCheck again.

In the Sidebar, click the Security button.

Locate and remove entries under Adware and Unsigned files.

Click the “Remove” button.

You have adware/malware installed. Try downloading this program which was written by Thomas R, a long time poster. The program will search for malware/adware. The program will do the work for you which makes it easy. It may be necessary to run more than one scan. After running the scans, restart the computer.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac 10.10 and later.

Web site for download https://www.malwarebytes.com

Reply

Answer 5

sterlepj Author

Level 1

12 points

Nov 30, 2020 12:54 PM in response to Eric Root

I was able to remove the adware and unsigned files, then download and scan with the Malwarebytes program and finally did an OS update to version 11 and that seems to have solved the problem after a couple restarts.

One additional question: should I be concerned about the unsigned apps that were identified in the Etrecheck report (mostly Google-related apps)?

I certainly learned a lot going through this fix and hopefully can keep it from happening again. Thanks so much for your help.

Reply