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anonymoussir Author

Level 1

20 points

Apple ID on El Capitan does not work at all

HI everyone,

so I had some issues installing El Capitan yesterday but after I put my MacBook Pro into safe mode it all worked out OK, besides the fact that El Capitan is making the 3 year old Mac run about as fast as a dying 5,000,000 year old tortoise but I will forgive that for now.

the main problem is, I cannot sign into my Apple ID in El Capitan *at all*. I have two step verification which worked fine in Yosemite. I would just create an app specific password for iMessage, FaceTime, etc. it worked the day of the installation before the actual installation. Now, however, when I try my regular password, it says "authentication error". When I try the app specific password, it says "wrong password". therefore, I can't sign into iMessage, FaceTime, iCloud, etc. and I cannot use AirDrop or Handoff BECAUSE I cannot sign in.

what do I do? Besides this, the rest of the system seems to work fine and I am sure that the ridiculously slow speed will subside after a few days.

also, please forgive my capitalization errors. I am typing on my iPad and this discussion forum doesn't capitalize normally for some reason.

thank you all for your help!

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11), null

Posted on Oct 4, 2015 3:11 PM

105 replies

roccoadc

Level 1

10 points

Oct 6, 2015 6:44 PM in response to sjwsentinel

As I suggested. Try creating a new user on your El Capitan installed computer. Give admin capabilities. Log out of your usual user, login to new admin user, and after booted up, Log into iTunes, using the same apple ID that you typically use to login to iTunes, iCloud, etc... If you login with new computer admin user, but with your Apple ID, then the problem is the regular user profile.

I did this, then I logged out of the new admin user, and restarted my machine in safe mode. While booted in safe mode, logged back in under my normal user profile, I logged in to iTunes, iCloud, message, etc with my ONLY apple ID. No problem, Then reboot in regular boot mode, and then you should be able to login to iTunes, iCloud, etc.. with your one and ONLY apple ID

Gail MA

Level 1

10 points

Oct 7, 2015 6:05 AM in response to roccoadc

I set up a new admin...still could not log in to the App Store or iTunes, had to force quit.

Now what?

My ID is fine on iPhone and iPad.

roccoadc

Level 1

10 points

Oct 7, 2015 7:00 AM in response to Gail MA

A couple of suggestions:

1) Delete the files located in main user/library/application support/icloud/accounts

2) Shut down the computer for 10-15 seconds. Then startup holding the "command" "option" "P" and "R" keys. Let the computer bong 2 times, then release the keys. This will reset the NVRAM. Then press the "shift" key while booting up. (safe boot)

3) Login with your main user under safe boot

4) Try to login with your usual apple ID

Are you using time machine?

Gail MA

Level 1

10 points

Oct 8, 2015 8:24 AM in response to roccoadc

I did steps 1-4. Issue persists. I am using time machine. I restored my machine. The first thing it asked me to do was sign into iCloud.

Spinning gear, hard restart, same old problem.

I may try to go back to Yosemite. Think it would fix it?

anonymoussir Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 8, 2015 1:05 PM in response to Gail MA

I believe that you have a different problem. If your Mac constantly FREEZES when you type in your Apple ID, you are likely experiencing a different issue. My mac UNDERSTANDS the password and RESPONDS by saying it is the wrong password (see my previous posts where I explained what the error messages were).

your mac simply freezes. While it could be the same issue, I doubt it.

IN addition to the NVRAM reset and Safe Mode (did you try Safe Mode?) try an SMC reset (Not sure if that's related at all but try it). Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac - Apple Support

also- this is a bit severe but you should be OK if you have a backup- you can reinstall El Capitan.

HOWEVER, I have never done this before and am not too sure how to do it safely and effectively. Hopefully someone will pitch in about how to do that and whether or not it is necessary.

if and when you fix the issue, please report back describing how you did so.

as for me, I will likely spend an hour or two on Saturday testing EVERYTHING out: PRAM reset, SMC, safe mode, creating a new account, etc. I will report back here then.

NayyerG

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2015 3:52 PM in response to anonymoussir

Gail, I believe our situations our identical. My Apple ID also works on the apple.com website, other computers, etc., however not for the App Store on my computer, or iTunes store. I downloaded El Capitan the night before the issue arose. Now when I try to access those stores, there is no error message, just the spinning wheel indefinitely or until I force quit. I've tried the solutions offered on this thread, but unfortunately it's still not fixed.

I may try re-installing El Capitan, however if anyone finds a solution to this issue, please do share.

Thanks

Gail MA

Level 1

10 points

Oct 8, 2015 5:01 PM in response to NayyerG

I tried safe mode with no success.

I reinstalled El Capitan. I still have the issue with every user. I have not downgraded to Yosemite yet. This is very frustrating!

NayyerG

Level 1

0 points

Oct 8, 2015 7:48 PM in response to Gail MA

I'm not 100% certain, but I think in my case the issue relates to my hardware serial number being not set up on my computer.

In the following thread, follow the instructions provided by Linc Davis. Basically you run a Systems Query Log while you are trying to log-in to the App Store, and the log will show you what the issue is. In my case, it looks like a Hardware Serial Number Error.

Unable to sign into Apple ID after installing El Capitan

If you see that you are having the same kind of issue as I am, you'll probably need to take it in to an Apple store to get them to register the serial number on the computer. It's weird, even though the serial number can be found under the base of the computer, it's a somewhat complicated process getting it set up on the computer. If you ever got a new logic board installed, they may not have re-entered the serial number on the computer. Here's a thread where someone describes what they did with this problem:

Apple ID will not log in after El Capitan upgrade

verklson

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2015 2:56 PM in response to anonymoussir

Thanks for the help here, I suffered the same issue:

Upgraded to El Capitan to hopefully fix some Yosemite issue including Wifi and Bluetooth drop outs. This did work for me. However soon after I was asked to change my AppleId password because it was too weak (?) and after this I was no longer able to login to my iCloud from either my MBP or iMac (both upgraded to El Capitan). I either received an "unknown error" or the login timed out.

Creating a new admin account, logging into that and logging into iCloud from that account worked. I changed back to my regular account and I can now log into iCloud.

p.s. is anyone else getting sick of Apple releasing buggy software to the quality level of Microsoft back in the mid-2000's? That's why I changed to Mac in the first place! Now everyone seems to expect the next OSX release to be buggy so they wait 0 just as we used to do with Windows.

anonymoussir Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 9, 2015 4:20 PM in response to verklson

Attention all contributors to this post:

Thank you immensely for your feedback and suggestions. If not for all of you I would have been on the phone with Apple right now waiting in line for "about one hour" AKA forever. Not that Apple's support is bad, it's just they aren't really as smart as the Apple user community here, especially if you get one of the interns.

So I am typing on my "test" account as recommended by @roccoadc. The problem, or rather I should say anti-problem is, when I made this test account, as soon as I first logged in, it asked for my iCloud password. I typed it in. ***This automatically sent a confirmation code to my iPad AS IT SHOULD HAVE in accordance with two-step verification. Hence, I was able to sign in normally.***

In a few minutes, I will reply to this post from my regular account and tell you if this worked.

Note: I did not try safe mode. I'm crossing my fingers that this works without safe mode. Either way, I'm skeptical that safe mode will work because the very first time I started up my Mac I started it up in safe mode (long story), and it didn't let me sign in with my Apple ID citing the same error messages.

Either way, crossing my fingers... Check for a reply here in no more than thirty minutes.

anonymoussir Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 9, 2015 4:42 PM in response to anonymoussir

Here's the update:

I've confirmed the issue is not with the serial number. The serial number shows up in "About this Mac" and System Information, so I don't see an issue there.
I could not sign into iMessage/FaceTime and iCloud on the regular account. After I figured this out, I went ahead and deleted the test account.
The problem is, I am "half-signed in" to iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime. I cannot delete my account from iMessage (the little "-" is greyed out), FaceTime just won't sign in, and I'm scared to death of FULLY signing out of iCloud because my Pages, Keynote, etc. documents might be deleted.
I have a reason to be scared. A few months ago, I had an unrelated issue when I changed some keychain passwords and my user account password. Suddenly all my iCloud Keychain passwords disappeared. Thank God my iPad had its WiFi turned off at the time and I could manually retype the passwords. Otherwise it would sync the empty keychain and I'd have some fun resetting all of my passwords for the next century. Therefore, I'm afraid to fully sign out by clicking "sign out".
My iCloud account *partially* works. All of the notes, reminders, etc. sync OK, however, Continuity does not work. This is interesting because at every login, it says "Your iCloud password must be updated," but accepts my iCloud password, without asking for two-step verification.
AGAIN, I could POSSIBLY fix the issue by fully signing out of iCloud and back in, and, like in the new user account, it MAY ask me for two-step verification which in turn MAY solve the problem, but I need some proof that as soon as I sign out, all of my iCloud files don't suddenly go poof.
Yes, you're right, I could back up each Pages and Keynote and Numbers file, and every password and note and reminder and calendar event and everything I have on iCloud, but this is ridiculous.

Long story short, is anyone willing to share their prior experience or test this signing out of iCloud and back in for me? Preferably the latter if you're brave and kind enough,

I know I'm asking for a lot. It's like picking up the $10,000 thing on Wheel of Fortune when you're risking some $10,000 already in your bank.

Thank you so much again!

Oct 15, 2015 12:49 AM in response to verklson

yup, the main reason I've changed to mac and other apple products back in 2006 is the quality level of the software and minimum buggy apps compare to its competitor. Expecting the "ready-to-use" device since the first use of mac and it continues until 2015. This is quite simple-but-major issue for me as a life-with-mac-user. I've bought tons of music from itunes, many apps from app store for work. And The Capitan seems don't give any shh about this.

And now, its all gone just by clicking "update el capitan". Why wouldnt you back to cats ?

this is really frustrating.

Gail MA

Level 1

10 points

Oct 15, 2015 7:22 AM in response to adriantiga

And the saga continues ...

I reverted back to Yosemite. Everything worked great. Installed El Capitan again, and couldn't sign into iCloud.

I'm staying with Yosemite until there's a fix, or forever.

NayyerG

Level 1

0 points

Oct 15, 2015 3:42 PM in response to Gail MA

Just wanted to let everyone know that indeed the hardware serial number was my issue. I took it to a nearby Apple store and it took them 10 minutes to enter that information in my computer's system (it's not something that most people are capable of doing themselves). After this fix, I'm able to log-in to the App Store, iTunes store, no problem with my Apple ID. No more spinning wheel.

Oct 21, 2015 11:36 AM in response to anonymoussir

Hi, I had the same problem with my 2013 Mac Pro, up until El captain, no problem but after the update I had the same issue signing in to pretty much anything apple related, the App store being the biggest problem which just hanged with the spinning beachball until it was force quitted.

Turns out like others have mention my serial number which is stamped on to the chassis hadn't been programmed onto the logic board, meaning my Mac effectively didn't have one and the latest OSX requires a serial number authentication when signing in to iCloud, iMessage etc, it actually say this on the apple support site. So my only option was to roll back to Yosemite using the time machine until I could find a solution.

Most Macs should have the serial number already programmed, click on the apple logo top left of your screen, click 'about my mac' and it should be displayed at the bottom of the list, if it says 'unavailable' or something similar than this is almost certainly the cause of your sign in problems. The reason for a missing serial number can be a number of reasons but mainly if you've had your logic board replaced and the technician forgot to serialise it, same thing in my case with my Mac pro which was built to order.

If your Mac is pre 2013 check out this site http://rogersm.net/icloud-problems-mountain-lion-serial-number and search around for a dmg file which you can input it on your own (follow the instructions perfectly as it's a one time only deal, mess it up and and your problems increase 10 fold!) but looking at the comments section it looks mostly positive.

Unfortunately it seems that if your Mac is post 2013 then like myself an apple store is your only solution as the machine needs to be connected to one of apples servers to be serialised or so I was told, anyhow it only took 5 minutes and the staff were great (London branch)

Hope this helps.

Apple ID on El Capitan does not work at all