You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Delete old AppleID

I had an AppleID that I don't use since 2017.

It's linked with an email that I already use but when I try to log into this account, it asks me for security questions that I don't remember anymore.


I want to delete this account, to use this email address as a custom domain email with iCloud.


How can I do this? Tried a lot, but without success.


Thanks in advance.

Posted on May 5, 2023 11:58 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 5, 2023 2:16 PM

Hello,


Try the directions in the article If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support for resetting your security questions:

"Reset your security questions

1. Go to https://iforgot.apple.com/ .

2. Enter your Apple ID, then select Continue.

3. Choose the option to reset your security questions, then select Continue.

4. Enter your Apple ID password, then select Continue.

5. Follow the onscreen steps to verify your identity. The information you’re asked to provide may vary based on your account details and other factors. If you don't get any options to verify your identity, you can't reset your security questions at this time.

6. Choose new security questions and answers and select Continue."


Also note this section from support article: Change your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support

"If you forget the answers to your security questions, you'll need a rescue email address to help you reset them."


If you get a message about not having 'sufficient information', you will not be able to reset your security questions.* Realize that several years ago Apple transitioned to using to two factor authentication instead of security questions and has since been encouraging users to switch to the newer security system. Your next recourse will be try to change to two factor authentication as outlined in this article --> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support Follow the instructions in the section "Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID"


If you can neither reset the questions, nor switch to two-factor authentication, you may well have lost any access to that account.


If you wish to speak with Apple about this, contact with Apple ID account security using the information in this document --> Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 5, 2023 2:16 PM in response to amedrado

Hello,


Try the directions in the article If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support for resetting your security questions:

"Reset your security questions

1. Go to https://iforgot.apple.com/ .

2. Enter your Apple ID, then select Continue.

3. Choose the option to reset your security questions, then select Continue.

4. Enter your Apple ID password, then select Continue.

5. Follow the onscreen steps to verify your identity. The information you’re asked to provide may vary based on your account details and other factors. If you don't get any options to verify your identity, you can't reset your security questions at this time.

6. Choose new security questions and answers and select Continue."


Also note this section from support article: Change your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support

"If you forget the answers to your security questions, you'll need a rescue email address to help you reset them."


If you get a message about not having 'sufficient information', you will not be able to reset your security questions.* Realize that several years ago Apple transitioned to using to two factor authentication instead of security questions and has since been encouraging users to switch to the newer security system. Your next recourse will be try to change to two factor authentication as outlined in this article --> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support Follow the instructions in the section "Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID"


If you can neither reset the questions, nor switch to two-factor authentication, you may well have lost any access to that account.


If you wish to speak with Apple about this, contact with Apple ID account security using the information in this document --> Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support


May 5, 2023 3:10 PM in response to amedrado

Here's an updated version:


Hello,


Try the directions in the article If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support for resetting your security questions:

"Reset your security questions

1. Go to https://iforgot.apple.com/ .

2. Enter your Apple ID, then select Continue.

3. Choose the option to reset your security questions, then select Continue.

4. Enter your Apple ID password, then select Continue.

5. Follow the onscreen steps to verify your identity. The information you’re asked to provide may vary based on your account details and other factors. If you don't get any options to verify your identity, you can't reset your security questions at this time.

6. Choose new security questions and answers and select Continue."


Note that Apple labeled this article as "archived", which means it has not been updated since December, 2021, and may contain old information.


If you get a message about not having 'sufficient information', you will not be able to reset your security questions this way.


The article: About your Apple ID email addresses - Apple Support is updated and it implies you can use a rescue email (if you set one up -- if you did not, it is too late to do that now) to reset your questions: "If you ever forget your security questions, you can use your rescue email address to reset them. We also send any account security-related notifications to your rescue email address." How you do this exactly is not clear and may depend upon your region. Here is one possible way (from: https://www.alphr.com/we-do-not-have-sufficient-information-to-reset-your-security-questions/ ) but I have not tested it since i do not want to experiment with my account. ;-).


1. Visit this page and enter your Apple ID -->.https://iforgot.apple.com/password/verify/appleid

2. Enter your rescue email address and have a verification email sent there to reset your password.

3. Follow the link in the email to reset.


Realize that several years ago Apple transitioned to using to two factor authentication instead of security questions and has since been encouraging users to switch to the newer security system. Your next recourse will be try to change to two factor authentication as outlined in this article --> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support Follow the instructions in the section "Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID"


If you can neither reset the questions, nor switch to two-factor authentication, you may well have lost any access to that account.


If you wish to speak with Apple about this, contact with Apple ID account security using the information in this document --> Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support


Once you have access to the account, go to: How to delete your Apple ID account - Apple Support


Delete old AppleID

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.