Forgotten Apple ID or deleted e-mail adress

Question

Forgotten Apple ID or deleted e-mail adress

I have to give you the full story in order for you to understand what happened.

I broke the screen of my iPhone 5 about a year ago. I've used another phone since then, but today I finally decided to repair it. At the time my dad took it to some service guy, but he didn't repair it because I decided to get another phone instead. However, my iPhone spent a bout 2 weeks in his shop.

Today, after replacing the screen, the iPhone asks me to set it up all over again, even though I didn't perform a reset to factory settings or anything. That wouldn't have been possible since the phone with the broken screen showed no image. As far as I can remember, the phone was connected to this very Apple ID that I'm writing from, which is on an Yahoo e-mail adress. However, now it asks for a Gmail account. I did have an Apple ID on a Gmail account a while ago, but the problem is I deleted that e-mail adress.

What can be done now ?

I bought the phone from an Orange shop a few years ago. Would they be able to somehow unlock it for me ?

There are no Apple stores anywhere near me.

Posted on Jul 15, 2016 12:18 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 15, 2016 12:35 PM in response to therottweiler

Unfortunately, unless you know the Apple ID, there is absolutely nothing that can be done, you cannot use your mobile device. You may be able to find your Apple ID at Look up your old and forgotten Apple ID

Generally speaking you can't delete email addresses.

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Answer 2

Jul 15, 2016 12:56 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Ok, but is there a way that the first service guy could've changed the Apple ID since the screen wasn't working at all ?

And Gmail accounts can be deleted.

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Answer 3

Jul 15, 2016 12:50 PM in response to therottweiler

Not without knowing yours.

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Answer 4

Jul 15, 2016 1:26 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Is there a way to see the e-mail adress associated to the Apple ID connected to the phone ? I don't understand why Apple hides it in the first place.

I do understand it may have something to do with reselling stolen phones or whatever, but I can prove that this is my phone and I bought it.

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Answer 5

Jul 15, 2016 1:35 PM in response to therottweiler

They hide it to stop you harassing or scamming the poor chap that had his phone stolen.

If the phone is yours...

If you are unable to remember your password, security questions, don’t have access to your rescue address or are unable to reset your password for whatever reason, your only option is to contact Apple ID Support, upon speaking to an operator you should explain that your problem is related to your Apple ID, this way you will not be charged for assistance, even if you don’t have an AppleCare plan.

You will need to show patience with the procedure and be prepared to demonstrate without question that the account belongs to you. Don’t expect access to be restored immediately and if you aren’t the owner of the Apple ID registered to the device the account won’t be reset.

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Answer 6

Jul 15, 2016 1:40 PM in response to Winston Churchill

Thank you! I will contact Apple support first thing tomorrow.

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