Apple ID · Locked or Disabled

Apple ID Locked?

Q: What does "Apple ID locked" mean?

It means one of two things. Either your own Apple ID account has been locked or disabled for security reasons (too many wrong password attempts, or Apple flagged unusual activity), or a device you have is tied to someone else's Apple ID through Activation Lock. The fix is different for each.

Q: How do I unlock my own Apple ID?

If it's your own account, use Apple's official account recovery at iforgot.apple.com to reset your password and regain access. It's free. No third party can or should unlock your own Apple ID for you — anyone claiming to is best avoided.

Q: My Apple ID is disabled — how do I fix it?

A disabled Apple ID is usually reset through iforgot.apple.com or by contacting Apple Support. If the account was disabled for security, resetting the password normally restores access. This is an account issue, not a device unlock.

Q: Can I unlock an iPhone linked to a previous owner's Apple ID?

Yes. That is iCloud Activation Lock, and it's a different problem from a locked account. If you own a device stuck on a previous owner's Apple ID, an IMEI-based service like PhoneDecoded can request removal of the Activation Lock at Apple's server level. Enter your IMEI to check eligibility and price.

Q: Is it free to unlock my Apple ID?

Recovering access to your own Apple ID at iforgot.apple.com is free. Removing iCloud Activation Lock from a device tied to a previous owner is a paid service, because it requires a server-level removal request.

"Apple ID locked" means one of two very different things — a locked account of your own, or a device tied to someone else's Apple ID. Here's how to tell them apart and unlock each the right way.

PhoneDecoded works for the device owner. We hold no commercial relationship with Apple Inc., act on nobody’s behalf but yours, and claim no endorsement from anyone. Apple, iPhone, iPad, iCloud and Apple ID are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

First, which one is it?

Two things called "Apple ID locked"

They sound the same but need completely different fixes. Work out which one you have before you do anything else.

1. Your own account is locked or disabled

You see "This Apple ID has been locked for security reasons" or "disabled" when signing in with your own email. Usually caused by too many wrong password attempts or a security flag.

Fix: free account recovery (below).

2. A device is tied to a previous owner

The device asks for an Apple ID and password that isn't yours — often after buying second-hand. This is iCloud Activation Lock, not a locked account.

Fix: Activation Lock removal by IMEI (below).

If it's your own account

Unlock your own Apple ID for free

If the locked account is yours, you never need to pay anyone. Apple's official recovery resets your password and restores access:

Go to iforgot.apple.com

Open Apple's account recovery page and enter the Apple ID email that's locked.

Verify it's you

Confirm via a trusted device, recovery key, or the security questions/verification Apple offers.

Reset your password

Set a new password. Your account unlocks and you regain access to iCloud, the App Store and everything tied to it.

Watch out

No legitimate third party can unlock your own Apple ID account — only Apple can, through recovery. Anyone offering to "unlock your Apple ID" for a fee is almost always a scam or phishing attempt. Our service is only for Activation Lock on a device you own, never for account recovery.

If a device is tied to a previous owner

Remove Activation Lock by IMEI

If the device is asking for an Apple ID that isn't yours — a second-hand or inherited iPhone or iPad — that's iCloud Activation Lock, not your account. For a device you own, we can request removal at Apple's server level.

Ask the previous owner (best)

If you can reach them, ask them to remove the device at icloud.com/find. Instant and free.

Check your IMEI

Can't reach them? Dial *#06# or open Settings → General → About for the IMEI, then enter it on our iCloud unlock page for an eligibility check and price.

Server-side removal

If eligible, we remove the Activation Lock at Apple's server level — permanent, no jailbreak, money-back guarantee.

More detail: read our guide to an iPhone locked to owner.

FAQ

Apple ID Locked — FAQ

What does "Apple ID locked" mean?

Either your own Apple ID account is locked or disabled for security reasons, or a device you have is tied to someone else's Apple ID through Activation Lock. The two need different fixes — a locked account is recovered through Apple; a device locked to a previous owner needs Activation Lock removal.

How do I unlock my own Apple ID?

Use Apple's official account recovery at iforgot.apple.com to reset your password and regain access. It's free, and no third party can or should do it for you.

My Apple ID is disabled — how do I fix it?

A disabled Apple ID is reset through iforgot.apple.com or by contacting Apple Support. Resetting the password normally restores access. This is an account issue, not a device unlock.

Can I unlock an iPhone linked to a previous owner's Apple ID?

Yes — that's iCloud Activation Lock. For a device you own, an IMEI-based service like PhoneDecoded can request removal at Apple's server level. Enter your IMEI to check eligibility and price.

Is it free to unlock my Apple ID?

Recovering your own Apple ID at iforgot.apple.com is free. Removing iCloud Activation Lock from a device tied to a previous owner is a paid service.

Device locked to a previous owner's Apple ID?

Enter your IMEI for an instant eligibility check and price. (For your own locked account, use iforgot.apple.com — it's free.)

Check My IMEI & Price →