Locked Icloud account and forgotten security questions:

good day

I just wanted to update the associated email address as it is no longer in use (for years actually)

But first the account 'needed to be verified for security reasons' oh please..?!

so the 'reset' emails currently being sent to it are absolutely useless.

Now...too many attempts...my iCloud account has been locked and I can not access the original device I used when creating it.

I have also forgotten the answers to most of the inane security questions created ALSO years ago (upper or lower case garbage)

BUT I DO know the apple ID and password.



Posted on Jul 14, 2021 4:22 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 14, 2021 6:02 AM

"If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions" click here --> https://support.apple.com/HT201485


If you see the message "not sufficient information", read this link:

Security and your Apple ID - https://support.apple.com/HT201303

"Without proof of your identity ... and other carefully selected criteria(1), Apple Support can't help you perform any actions on your account." If you are still using security questions (see below) then you knowing your security question answers is the exclusive way, apart from potentially "other carefully selected criteria", of proving to Apple that you are the owner of that account.

(1) E.g., "In certain cases, Apple might also use your payment information to help verify your identity. You might need to verify your payment information to reset your Apple ID password" - https://support.apple.com/HT208683


It may ultimately prove very difficult to find satisfactory resolution to forgotten security questions if you get the "not sufficient information" message (e.g., https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252410816 ). For quite some time now Apple has been very strongly urging users to use Two Factor Authentication instead of security questions. --> https://support.apple.com/HT204915 "With two-factor authentication, you don't need to remember any security questions. We verify your identity exclusively using your password and verification codes sent to your trusted devices and phone numbers. When you enroll in two-factor authentication, we keep your old security questions on file for two weeks in case you need to return your account to its previous security settings. After that, they're deleted."


Here are two methods that are relatively similar for possibly recovering from "not sufficient information" by signing up for Two Factor Authentication at this stage:

Post by a Community Specialist, click here --> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252885215?answerId=255425124022#255425124022

'Solution to the forgotten Apple ID security questions" --> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252575591


Apple does have "Account Recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password" ( https://support.apple.com/HT204921 ) which it specifies is available for "when you don’t have enough information to reset your password." However, it also states it is "if you use two-factor authentication" which you may not be if you are still using security questions. You can investigate if this is even available to you.


With that in consideration you can try to "Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security", click here --> https://support.apple.com/HT204169 If the online option does not resolve the problem I suggest trying to get a personalized response with a chat or telephone call. To talk by telephone: Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support --> https://support.apple.com/HT201232


For other support options, including those if your country does not have telephone support, click here -->: https://support.apple.com/choose-country-region To chat, choose any topic, (not Apple ID) continue working your way down options until you find one with chat support, then ask to be redirected.

(Note: If your country is not listed, there may be a support option at the end of each region section for "other".)


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 14, 2021 6:02 AM in response to Belinda-Cas

"If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions" click here --> https://support.apple.com/HT201485


If you see the message "not sufficient information", read this link:

Security and your Apple ID - https://support.apple.com/HT201303

"Without proof of your identity ... and other carefully selected criteria(1), Apple Support can't help you perform any actions on your account." If you are still using security questions (see below) then you knowing your security question answers is the exclusive way, apart from potentially "other carefully selected criteria", of proving to Apple that you are the owner of that account.

(1) E.g., "In certain cases, Apple might also use your payment information to help verify your identity. You might need to verify your payment information to reset your Apple ID password" - https://support.apple.com/HT208683


It may ultimately prove very difficult to find satisfactory resolution to forgotten security questions if you get the "not sufficient information" message (e.g., https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252410816 ). For quite some time now Apple has been very strongly urging users to use Two Factor Authentication instead of security questions. --> https://support.apple.com/HT204915 "With two-factor authentication, you don't need to remember any security questions. We verify your identity exclusively using your password and verification codes sent to your trusted devices and phone numbers. When you enroll in two-factor authentication, we keep your old security questions on file for two weeks in case you need to return your account to its previous security settings. After that, they're deleted."


Here are two methods that are relatively similar for possibly recovering from "not sufficient information" by signing up for Two Factor Authentication at this stage:

Post by a Community Specialist, click here --> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252885215?answerId=255425124022#255425124022

'Solution to the forgotten Apple ID security questions" --> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252575591


Apple does have "Account Recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password" ( https://support.apple.com/HT204921 ) which it specifies is available for "when you don’t have enough information to reset your password." However, it also states it is "if you use two-factor authentication" which you may not be if you are still using security questions. You can investigate if this is even available to you.


With that in consideration you can try to "Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security", click here --> https://support.apple.com/HT204169 If the online option does not resolve the problem I suggest trying to get a personalized response with a chat or telephone call. To talk by telephone: Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support --> https://support.apple.com/HT201232


For other support options, including those if your country does not have telephone support, click here -->: https://support.apple.com/choose-country-region To chat, choose any topic, (not Apple ID) continue working your way down options until you find one with chat support, then ask to be redirected.

(Note: If your country is not listed, there may be a support option at the end of each region section for "other".)


Jul 14, 2021 6:07 AM in response to Belinda-Cas


( a ) Contact apple support Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

( b ) Support pin is used by apple support advisors to verify the account when you know apple id password Generate a temporary Support PIN - Apple Support

The account is disabled as you entered incorrect credentials multiple times , the rescue mail address and its password , three correct answers for security questions , date of birth are not with you , if credit card was added ( very helpful ).

the device is showing Apple ID is locked , its also locked from server end only apple support can help If your Apple ID has been locked or disabled – Apple Support

You have to convert secondary authentication account into 2FA see the articles Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support

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Locked Icloud account and forgotten security questions:

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