my iPhone and Apple Watch are both affected, I’m locked out of my Apple ID and iCloud accounts. I’ve contacted customer support many times, and nothing has helped. I don’t have my recovery key anymore either.
iPhone 12 mini
aubface wrote:
I’m locked out of my Apple ID and iCloud accounts.
I don’t have my recovery key anymore either.
Hello,
You have a dual issue (or triple one considering you were using a recovery key). You are apparently missing your account information which is then required for removing the activation lock and you do not have your recovery key which you need for resetting your account information.
The first issue here is getting access to your account. Since you say it is locked, I will assume you have forgotten your password. This Apple article has instructions for what to do if you have forgotten your Apple account password —> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support
or go directly to this link —> http://iforgot.apple.com/
If you didn't receive your verification or reset email, read this Apple Support article: If you didn't receive your verification or reset email - Apple Support
"When you make certain updates to your Apple ID, we’ll send you an email to help you complete the update. For example, you might have reset your password, reset your security questions, or added a new email address to your account."
If you are signed into this forum using the same Apple Account then your browser may be configured to automatically enter your password. You should be able to view stored passwords in your browser's preferences/settings.
Now comes the account recovery issue since if you cannot reset your password using the above method, you would normally try account recovery, but having a recovery key means this option is not available to you.
The information below is based on Apple's support article: How to generate a recovery key - Apple Support with quoted excerpts. Each section outlines the different situations and the strategies that may relate to use of a recovery key. If you are not familiar with trusted devices and numbers, see this support article —> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support
- If you still have access to your Apple ID and password but have lost your recovery key:
"You can generate a new recovery key from Settings or System Preferences on a trusted device." Refer to the steps in How to generate a recovery key - Apple Support about how to do this on different types of equipment (Apple equipment only).
- If you have forgotten your Apple ID password, have lost your recovery key, but still have access to a trusted device.
"you can try to regain access using your trusted device protected by a passcode." The process is outlined in this support article: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support This does not involve using a recovery key.
- If you have a forgotten password and you do not have access to a trusted device:
"you can use your recovery key, a trusted phone number, and an Apple device to reset your password."
- If you have lost your recovery key and have lost access to both your account and trusted items:
A recovery key is designed as an alternative to Account Recovery ( How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support ) which is where Apple helps you regain access to your account. However, "when you generate a recovery key, you can't use account recovery." You can try to contact Apple (see: Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support ), but to me the previous statement implies that setting up a recovery key excludes Apple from being able to do anything. Apple says: "Using a recovery key is more secure, but it means that you’re responsible for maintaining access to your trusted devices and your recovery key. If you lose both of these items, you could be locked out of your account permanently."
If you cannot get access to the required account information, but you do still have the sales receipts from Apple for your devices, Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Do this online at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not detail what currently constitutes proof. Prior to this new online service Apple typically required the original receipt issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller and documented provenance (so typically it would be the original owner who does this, or a descendant with legal proof of ownership). This will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.
Apple recommends you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support
I recommend you use the link I provide for this service rather than the general support link https://getsupport.apple.com/. They might well just tell direct you to it anyway and it is set up for performing this specific service.
aubface wrote:
I’m locked out of my Apple ID and iCloud accounts.
I don’t have my recovery key anymore either.
Hello,
You have a dual issue (or triple one considering you were using a recovery key). You are apparently missing your account information which is then required for removing the activation lock and you do not have your recovery key which you need for resetting your account information.
The first issue here is getting access to your account. Since you say it is locked, I will assume you have forgotten your password. This Apple article has instructions for what to do if you have forgotten your Apple account password —> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support
or go directly to this link —> http://iforgot.apple.com/
If you didn't receive your verification or reset email, read this Apple Support article: If you didn't receive your verification or reset email - Apple Support
"When you make certain updates to your Apple ID, we’ll send you an email to help you complete the update. For example, you might have reset your password, reset your security questions, or added a new email address to your account."
If you are signed into this forum using the same Apple Account then your browser may be configured to automatically enter your password. You should be able to view stored passwords in your browser's preferences/settings.
Now comes the account recovery issue since if you cannot reset your password using the above method, you would normally try account recovery, but having a recovery key means this option is not available to you.
The information below is based on Apple's support article: How to generate a recovery key - Apple Support with quoted excerpts. Each section outlines the different situations and the strategies that may relate to use of a recovery key. If you are not familiar with trusted devices and numbers, see this support article —> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support
- If you still have access to your Apple ID and password but have lost your recovery key:
"You can generate a new recovery key from Settings or System Preferences on a trusted device." Refer to the steps in How to generate a recovery key - Apple Support about how to do this on different types of equipment (Apple equipment only).
- If you have forgotten your Apple ID password, have lost your recovery key, but still have access to a trusted device.
"you can try to regain access using your trusted device protected by a passcode." The process is outlined in this support article: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support This does not involve using a recovery key.
- If you have a forgotten password and you do not have access to a trusted device:
"you can use your recovery key, a trusted phone number, and an Apple device to reset your password."
- If you have lost your recovery key and have lost access to both your account and trusted items:
A recovery key is designed as an alternative to Account Recovery ( How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support ) which is where Apple helps you regain access to your account. However, "when you generate a recovery key, you can't use account recovery." You can try to contact Apple (see: Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support ), but to me the previous statement implies that setting up a recovery key excludes Apple from being able to do anything. Apple says: "Using a recovery key is more secure, but it means that you’re responsible for maintaining access to your trusted devices and your recovery key. If you lose both of these items, you could be locked out of your account permanently."
If you cannot get access to the required account information, but you do still have the sales receipts from Apple for your devices, Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Do this online at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not detail what currently constitutes proof. Prior to this new online service Apple typically required the original receipt issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller and documented provenance (so typically it would be the original owner who does this, or a descendant with legal proof of ownership). This will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.
Apple recommends you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support
I recommend you use the link I provide for this service rather than the general support link https://getsupport.apple.com/. They might well just tell direct you to it anyway and it is set up for performing this specific service.
See the following Apple articles:
Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Activation Lock for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support
How to remove Activation Lock -> How to remove Activation Lock – Apple Support (UK)
About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch
About Activation Lock on your Apple Watch - Apple Support
You can also contact Apple support for help, -> Get Support (apple.com)
You have to show proof of ownership of your product, provide all documentation showing your purchase of the device.
If you do not have additional proof of ownership, contact the reseller. They may be able to provide the original purchase document.
Once Apple receive your proof of ownership, Apple will further review your request and provide an update.
See also -> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device
Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device – Apple Support (UK)
Activation lock reset Apple ID password
