iOS · iPhone & iPad

Fix an Apple Account That Is Locked, Disabled, or Not Active

Source-checked About 10 minutes

Answer

Use the exact alert to choose password reset, account-access request, or Media & Purchases reactivation; never pay a third party to unlock it.

Guide steps4 steps
  1. Read the exact message
  2. Reset or request access
  3. Reactivate purchases
  4. Protect the account
  5. If it still does not work

Read the exact message

Locked for security, not active, disabled in App Store, and disabled Media & Purchases alerts require different official flows.

Reset or request access

Use iforgot.apple.com for password and security lockouts or the alert's Request Access option when available.

Reactivate purchases

For Media & Purchases issues, use Apple's reactivation flow or contact Apple Support with account ownership evidence.

Protect the account

Review trusted numbers and devices after recovery and never share passwords or verification codes.

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • If “Fix an Apple Account That Is Locked, Disabled, or Not Active” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, file, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, source-media, or device prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Apple Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad.

Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.

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