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This account is locked and can't be used (AppleID is not active)

(Before posting links please know that the general Apple Support webpage leads right back to this error message.)


Today I was helping an apple iphone & old ipad owner, who is unable to get any support for this issue. She gets the following messages:


Iphone Forgot Password Menu: "Cannot verify identity - this AppleID is not active"


Apple Support > Request to Unlock your Account webpage: "This account is locked and can't be used"


I was struck that there was no further options allowed. This is a new one for me.


Can anyone suggest how / why this might have happened? (If not a solution?)


(FYI the account / device owner said at one point they were talking to apple phone support, but then at some point, the rep cut them off abruptly and said there was nothing to be done in this case, as if they had seen something negative in the record. But I can't confirm this or that they were actually talking to apple.)

Posted on Jul 31, 2024 8:09 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 7, 2024 11:24 AM

I'm attempting to login to iTunesConnect to manage our apps, trying to use the Forgot Password link, and it says:

This account is locked and can't be used


How can I reset my password?

72 replies

Aug 16, 2024 1:58 PM in response to Doc Crumble

I created my developer account in February, and everything was fine until recently. Now, I can't access my account at all. I keep getting the following message:

'This account is locked. This account is locked and cannot be used.'

I can't log in, reset my password, or even access the activation page. I've spoken with multiple Apple representatives, but they keep bouncing me around, saying it's another department's responsibility.

As a result, I'm stuck without access to my account, even though I've paid for my developer subscription. This is causing me significant problems because I need to upload an app.

I've been given several links like:

https://getsupport.apple.com/

Apple ID - Official Apple Support

But they all lead to the same issue—I need to log in, which I can't do.

My account was locked without any notification or email, and no one I've spoken to at Apple seems able to resolve the problem.

I had to create this account just to post here because you need to be logged in to do anything else.

Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone know a specific phone number, email, or department that can actually help?"


Aug 10, 2024 11:57 AM in response to MrHoffman

This link 'If your Apple ID is locked, not active, or disabled - Apple Support' isnt fixing the problem, like the author said above every option on support leads back to the error.

Im from the netherlands and this problem happend to me. Support couldnt help me either. Cause the said everything was blocked.

My iphone is still logged in to the linked apple ID, but I cant log in and cant log out on that Apple ID or on an other pc or iCloud. The apps on my phone still work but i cant update the software etc. I hope Apple will fix this.

Aug 4, 2024 1:21 PM in response to Doc Crumble

Just helped a family member with this.


Absolutely no reason for that particular account to be locked (it’s simply used for the occasional email to friends) - luckily the emails have a forward still, but they now have to reply from a different address….


Apple support just said created a new account.


Apparently Apple Support Techs no longer have the ability to reset passwords.


Hopefully somone higher up in Apple leadership works out that this is not right. Especially, given that in our situation recovery email and phone are still available and previously security questions were created….


See on Reddit and Facebook there are a fair few people with this issue.


Hoping people can get their accounts back sooner or later….

Aug 3, 2024 8:12 AM in response to Doc Crumble

Something defintely up. I created a new appleid yesterday. Was using it to log into two old iphones, I did NOT enter anything incorrectly and it got locked. I requested unlock and got an email that said it was denied. Now I have two old iphones that are in a loop, I can't sign out of them and I can't sign into them because both require a password. iforgot website merely gives the error "That account is locked and can't be used"


I could try to use a DFU reset and unlock with passcode but seriously....

Aug 3, 2024 10:27 PM in response to Limnos

You’re not understanding the situation. Let’s say I got a phone off of eBay. That was an old iPhone 7. I then create a brand new Apple ID log into that phone and within hours it gets disabled. It is now in the loop where you can’t sign in and you can’t sign out because the account is disabled. You request a reset but it gets denied. We would not have proof of purchase and it really wouldn’t matter because the hardware is not involved it all revolves around the account. The issue is the account getting disabled for what is apparently no reason. Thus the loop is created.

Aug 18, 2024 12:01 PM in response to Zachyy

Zachyy wrote:

If it needs an Apple fix, then Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support, Apple will be able to resolve this issue at their level.


I already have, as seemingly many others in this thread, have. Tier1 and Tier2 support apparently no longer have the ability to reset passwords and the most common Apple Support advice for this issue, it would thus seem, is “create a new account”


It’s probably all on the back end of a lot of recent tightening of iCloud account security - but over the last few weeks a fair few number of people have lost access to their accounts and content as a result.


I have asked a support engineer, I am in email contact with - pointed them to this thread and asked them to send it up the chain.





Sep 18, 2024 2:53 PM in response to Doc Crumble

Same problem here. Had an old 3rd gen ipad my mum wanted to use for reading music when playing out of the house. Set up a new apple account. All was fine. A few months later and it keeps getting annoying login pop ups for icloud which error when the correct password is entered. I tried resetting/unlocking the password online but get the same "The account is locked and cant be used." error.


Called support and they were unable to help as account was locked - advice was to create a new account.


We came off the call and tried that - but of course I cannot sign out of the icloud account or 'find my' as the account it is logged into is locked!! Catch 22.


It is extremely poor Apple support have no clue how to resolve this and leave legitimate customer's devices and accounts in this state.

Sep 23, 2024 1:58 AM in response to Doc Crumble

That's it. That's the last straw for me. I've been contemplating switching out of the Apple ecosystem seeing the lame development on iPhone and Mac upgrades vs. others. The only reason for me to hesitate is path dependence and convenience due to my decades of usage and commitment. Now Apple locks my old Apple ID and hence old iPad. Ok then, so you're cutting out my path dependence on Apple. You're eliminating the convenience I want to keep due to my commitment to your brand. Fine, I'm going with other brands for my next phone and laptop.

This account is locked and can't be used (AppleID is not active)

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