FaceTime and iMessage asking for very old Apple ID password and other issues..

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Level 1

26 points

FaceTime and iMessage asking for very old Apple ID password and other issues..

I am on BigSur 11.6, I changed my Apple ID awhile ago. My MacBook is correctly signed into the new ID and contacts, iCloud, Cards, etc all work as normal. I followed all the steps for changing Apple ID on the support site.

FaceTime and iMessage keep asking for my password to my Apple ID, but it shows an email that was from years before, even older than my previous ID...I am not even sure if it was ever my Apple ID. When I enter the password, it says incorrect (of course) but then asks for my current Apple ID. I enter the current one, and the correct password, and after several minutes it says 'An unknown error Occurred'. If I enter the wrong password (tried it on purpose), it immediately says incorrect password, so it leads me to believe it is communicating with the server correctly.

Also, I use FireFox, and it will not allow me to enter the password for my firefox account, it just says incorrect password (even though I know it is right) and asks again. I also cannot sign out of FireFox. I even deleted the app, and re-installed, and it shows me signed in still and asks for the password again. I am thinking there is something corrupted that is storing all this old account stuff?

As far as Apple ID, everything works except iMessage and FaceTime. All other Apple ID related functions show my current ID and work fine.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 22, 2021 6:05 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

vafatrabbit

Level 1

18 points

Nov 26, 2021 10:06 AM in response to RCCCCCDS

I don't know if this will help you but it worked for me:

"Open keychain access from spotlight , click on iCloud in the side bar ( in the spotlight search field type the old mail address ) and click on enter , right click on mail address and click on delete .

https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/keychain-access/kyca1085/mac"

I found this on a different thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252252858

Hope this works for you also.

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Answer 2

Oct 23, 2021 8:01 AM in response to RCCCCCDS

Hi RCCCCCDS,

Thanks for coming to Apple Support Communities for help with FaceTime and Messages on your Mac. It sounds like the are still using an older Apple ID.

Have a look at this page: What to do after you change your Apple ID or password. Check these two sections in Preferences for the apps.

"Mac with OS X Mountain Lion or later

Open the FaceTime app.
Select FaceTime > Preferences.

- If you're signed out, enter your updated Apple ID and password.
- If you're signed in with your previous Apple ID, select your Apple ID, click Sign Out. Then click Sign Out again when asked to confirm, and enter your updated Apple ID and password."

And:

"Mac with OS X Mountain Lion or later

Open the Messages app, select Messages > Preferences, click the Accounts tab, then select your Apple ID from the list of accounts.

If you're signed out, sign in with your updated Apple ID and password.
If you're signed in with your previous Apple ID, click Sign Out, then click Sign Out again when asked to confirm. Sign in with your updated Apple ID and password."

Let us know how it goes.

Have a fantastic day!

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Answer 3

RCCCCCDS Author

Level 1

26 points

Oct 23, 2021 9:08 AM in response to MichaelB2019

I tried it and signed in, it works fine on a new user account. Zero issues.

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Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Oct 23, 2021 9:34 AM in response to RCCCCCDS

If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer or by using the developer’s uninstall instructions. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

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

https://etrecheck.com

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,215 points

Nov 26, 2021 7:44 AM in response to RCCCCCDS

Are you running any anti-virus software? Using a VPN? It may not help, but try running/posting a Etrechecck report. 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

https://etrecheck.com

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Answer 6

RCCCCCDS Author

Level 1

26 points

Nov 26, 2021 10:38 AM in response to vafatrabbit

I get into the keychain but I do not see what you mean as far as click on the email address. Which tab am I looking under? All items, passwords, keys, etc..??

edit: I figure it out, I had to scroll to the bottom of the list, the icons next to the items were pencils and these were all com. Blah blah keychains of my very old email address. I deleted all 31 of them and problem solved!!! Thank you!

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Answer 7

Oct 23, 2021 8:27 AM in response to RCCCCCDS

RCCCCCDS,

Thanks for getting back to us. Lets isolate this issue further. See if FaceTime or Messages will work with your Apple ID in a new user account. Here's how to make one: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac.

If it works in the new user, then let's do a deeper dive. Reach out at Get Support.

Have a fantastic day!

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Answer 8

RCCCCCDS Author

Level 1

26 points

Oct 23, 2021 8:12 AM in response to MichaelB2019

When I open FaceTime it is already logged out. It is asking me to login and I enter my current Apple ID and password, when I do immediately a window pops up and says “enter the password for your Apple ID to continue using FaceTime on this Mac” and the email it lists is a very old email I have not had for over 10 years, it was not even my email from my previous ID I just changed. Why it is asking is a mystery.

I hit cancel and it goes back to the FaceTime login which shows my current and correct ID for logging in. And asks for a password, same issue each time.

when I open up iMessage it is also logged out and asks me to sign into iMessage with my Apple ID. I enter my current ID then the password and it spins for a long time (about 5 minutes) before saying “an unknown error occurred”

this appears to be something more than user error.

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