I forgot the recovery phone number on one of my Emails for the previous Apple ID. Its been more than 6 years since I last used that ID. I want to create an apple ID with that email. I am even willing to loose the data in that Apple ID. Can it be done in any way as when I try to login, it keeps asking about that number.
Unfortunately, Apple does not allow you to reuse an email address that's already registered as an Apple ID, even if you've lost access to it. The email remains tied to that old account until it's explicitly released. Here are your options:
1. Try Apple's Account Recovery process:
- Go to iforgot.apple.com
- Enter the old Apple ID email
- Choose account recovery options — even without the old phone number, you may be able to verify identity via:
- Trusted email address on the account
- Recovery key (if you set one up)
- Devices still signed into the account
- If it's been 6+ years, any trusted device is likely gone, but the email recovery path may still work
2. Request Account Deletion to free the email:
- If you truly want to lose the old data, you can request permanent account deletion at privacy.apple.com
- Once the account is deleted (takes ~30 days), the email address may become available for a new Apple ID
- Important: Deletion is irreversible — all purchases, subscriptions, and data will be permanently lost
3. Contact Apple Support directly:
- Apple Support agents at getsupport.apple.com can sometimes help verify your identity through alternative means (government ID) and either grant access or initiate account deletion
- Explain that you've lost the recovery number and want to delete the account to free up the email
4. Use a different email address:
- If the above is too complex, creating a new Apple ID with a different email is the simplest path
- You can create a free icloud.com email address (e.g., yourname@icloud.com) during Apple ID setup
The easiest route is usually Option 2 (deletion via privacy.apple.com) followed by creating a new account with the freed email after the 30-day deletion period.
Unfortunately, Apple does not allow you to reuse an email address that's already registered as an Apple ID, even if you've lost access to it. The email remains tied to that old account until it's explicitly released. Here are your options:
1. Try Apple's Account Recovery process:
- Go to iforgot.apple.com
- Enter the old Apple ID email
- Choose account recovery options — even without the old phone number, you may be able to verify identity via:
- Trusted email address on the account
- Recovery key (if you set one up)
- Devices still signed into the account
- If it's been 6+ years, any trusted device is likely gone, but the email recovery path may still work
2. Request Account Deletion to free the email:
- If you truly want to lose the old data, you can request permanent account deletion at privacy.apple.com
- Once the account is deleted (takes ~30 days), the email address may become available for a new Apple ID
- Important: Deletion is irreversible — all purchases, subscriptions, and data will be permanently lost
3. Contact Apple Support directly:
- Apple Support agents at getsupport.apple.com can sometimes help verify your identity through alternative means (government ID) and either grant access or initiate account deletion
- Explain that you've lost the recovery number and want to delete the account to free up the email
4. Use a different email address:
- If the above is too complex, creating a new Apple ID with a different email is the simplest path
- You can create a free icloud.com email address (e.g., yourname@icloud.com) during Apple ID setup
The easiest route is usually Option 2 (deletion via privacy.apple.com) followed by creating a new account with the freed email after the 30-day deletion period.
Reuse email for new Apple ID after old recovery number lost?
