How to use iforgot.apple.com: Unlock Apple ID step by step

This guide explains everything you need to know when using iforgot.apple.com for Apple ID unlock, ensuring you can reset your password and regain full account access.

Apple ID offers full access to all associated devices and services. If you forgot your Apple ID password or entered many incorrect passwords repeatedly, you may be locked out of your Apple account and lose access to all services tied to it. But fortunately, Apple has made it easy to unlock Apple ID at iforgot.apple.com website.

Follow this step-by-step guide to go through the iforgot.apple.com unlocking process.

As Apple's official account recovery solution, iforgot.apple.com unlock website helps reset Apple ID password online and recover access to Apple account by verifying user identity — whether via a trusted device or phone number, an email code, a recovery key, or by security questions.

This guide covers detailed steps on how to use iforgot.apple.com for Apple ID unlock and password reset. Plus, if you're unable to access the website or fail to bypass the unlock verification, we'll show you efficient alternatives to unlock Apple ID without iforgot.apple.com.

Table of Contents

• What is iforgot.apple.com website?
• How to use iforgot.apple.com to unlock Apple ID
• Unlock Apple ID without ifrogot.apple.com or password or phone number
• Alternatives to iforgot.apple.com for Apple ID unlock
• FAQs on iforgot.apple.com Unlock

Whether you have a forgotten Apple account or password, iPhone Unlocker can be a top alternative to iforgot.apple.com for removing a locked Apple ID directly from iPhone/iPad without password or phone number.

What is iforgot.apple.com website?

For anyone looking for password reset and account recovery, iforgot.apple.com serves as Apple's official website to help you unlock your Apple ID and recover account access by verifying necessary information associated with that account.

What can iforgot.apple.com website do?

• Unlock Apple account. If you're locked out of your Apple account due to too many wrong passwords or security reasons, iforgot.apple.com enables quick unlock of your Apple ID.
• Reset Apple ID password. The iforgot.apple.com unlock website allows you to reset the forgotten or lost password to Apple account.
• Recover Apple account access. iforgot.apple.com offers full solutions for access recovery to an Apple account, whether it's locked or deactivated.

What do you need for Apple ID unlock on iforgot.apple.com?

When your Apple account locks you out, whether due to a forgotten password or multiple failed attempts, it's possible to unlock the Apple ID on iforgot.apple.com if you're able to verify your identity for online password reset.

Depending on your account settings and whether you've enabled Two-factor Authentication, the requirements for iforgot.apple.com unlocking process may vary. Ensure you have:

• A network-connected device to open the unlock website.
• A trusted device, phone number, or email to get a verification code if you've enabled Two-factor Authentication feature.
• A Recovery Key provided by Apple when enabling the 2FA feature on your iOS device.
• Security Questions or Recovery email previously set up when creating the Apple account.

How to use iforgot.apple.com to unlock Apple ID

There are three common options for unlocking Apple ID at iforgot.apple.com online — based on your previous settings and the information you can provide.

Unlock Apple ID at iforgot.apple.com with Two-factor Authentication

If the Two-factor Authentication is enabled and there's a trusted phone number or Apple device added to your account, you can easily verify your identity on iforgot.apple.com to unlock your Apple ID by resetting the password:

Step 1. Visit iforgot.apple.com unlock website.

• Go to iforgot.apple.com website on a network-linked device and click Reset Password.
• Enter the email address or phone number you use with your Apple account.
• Type the characters in the image to verify that you are not a robot and click Continue.

Step 2. Send a verification code to a trusted phone number or email.

• Enter the phone number associated with your Apple ID and click Continue.
• Tap Allow when a notification shows up on your Apple device. If needed, enter your screen password to confirm.
• A list of password reset options will show up. To unlock Apple ID via your trusted phone number or email, click Can't use any of these options at the bottom.
• Read the onscreen content and go ahead with Continue anyway.
• Click Send Code — a verification code will be sent to your trusted phone number or email.

Step 3. Verify your identity and reset password to unlock your Apple ID.

• Check your inbox and enter the verification code on iforgot.apple.com website.
• Click Continue and follow the onscreen prompts to reset a new account password.

Once done, iforgot.apple.com will update the password, so that you can use the new password to unlock your Apple ID for full access.

Get an email or answer Security Questions to unlock Apple account

If you haven't enabled 2FA feature, you may choose to get an email or answer security questions on ifrogot.apple.com to unlock your Apple ID. Follow these steps to regain Apple account access when you're locked out for security reasons or forgotten password:

1. Open a browser and visit iforgot.apple.com website.

2. Enter the email address of your Apple ID. If asked, enter the associated phone number.

3. Click Continue.

4. On next Reset Password screen, select how you want to unlock your account:

• Get an email — Apple will send instructions to your email account. Check it in your inbox and follow the steps to get your Apple account unlocked.
• Answer security questions — Answer the security questions that you've set up when creating your Apple ID.

5. Hit Continue and follow Apple's instructions to unlock your account on ifrogot.apple.com.

Enter Recovery Key on iforgot.apple.com for Apple ID unlock

When enabling Two-factor Authentication, Apple offers a secret recovery code which can be used to recover your Apple account on iforgot.apple.com when you lose access to your Apple ID or password. To get a recovery code if you don't have one:

• Open your iPhone and move to Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security.
• Tap Account Recovery and choose Recovery Key.
• Turn on the toggle next to Use Recovery Key and enter your lock screen password to confirm.

After that, you'll receive a message with a recovery key. Make sure to keep it safely. If you still have access to the recovery key, here's how to unlock Apple ID via ifrogot.apple.com:

• Navigate to iforgot.apple.com unlock website.
• Select the Forgot Apple ID or password link on the screen.
• Enter your Apple ID email and click Continue.
• From the account recovery methods, choose to unlock your account using Recovery Key.
• In Enter Recovery Key page, correctly enter the recovery key provided by Apple.
• Hit Continue and follow the onscreen steps to set a new account password.

After that, your disabled Apple ID can be unlocked with the new password easily.

Unlock Apple ID without ifrogot.apple.com or password or phone number

If you're unable to bypass the verification when using iforgot.apple.com for Apple ID unlock, there's an alternative tool — iPhone Unlocker to completely remove a locked Apple ID from iPhone or iPad without password or phone number.

This Apple ID removal tool has a user-friendly interface, enabling you to unlock various Apple locks from iOS devices directly, including but not limited to Apple ID, 4-digit / 6-digit screen passcode, Face ID, Touch ID, ScreenTime passcode, and more. With it, you can easily regain full access to all Apple services after unlocking your Apple account.

Important notice before Apple ID unlock without iforgot.apple.com or password:

• Ensure you have the screen passcode of your iPhone / iPad.
• The process will erase all current content and settings on your device. Be sure to back up your important data and files if necessary.

When the iforgot.apple.com unlock options are unaccessible, here are the steps to remove a disabled Apple ID without password from your iPhone / iPad:

Step 1. Open iPhone Unlocker on a PC or Mac and start with Remove Apple ID.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone or iPad with a USB cable and then hit Start. If prompted, enter your screen passcode and trust your computer.

Step 3. To unlock Apple ID on iOS device, check the following settings:

• If the Find My is disabled, the Apple ID unlocking process will start instantly.
• If the Find My is turned on, reset all settings by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad > Reset All Settings.

Note: For iOS 11.4 or later, ensure the Two-factor Authentication is On. Check through Settings > your Apple ID > Password & Security. Once you confirm the 2FA is enabled, enter 0000 > hit Confirm on the pop-up box.

Warning: If Two-factor Authentication isn't On, your device will be locked by Activation Lock after removing the Apple ID. Read carefully before proceeding.

Step 4. Remove locked Apple account from iPhone / iPad.

• The software will automatically recognize your device and display its info.
• Click Start to continue.

• A suitable firmware will be downloaded to your iPhone/iPad for Apple ID unlocking.
• When it completes, input 0000 and hit Unlock button.

• All current data will be erased, including the Apple ID associated with your iOS device.
• When the device restarts, you can log in with a new or different Apple account to access all Apple Services.

TIP: If Locked to Owner alert pops up after Apple ID removal on iPhone / iPad, don't panic. Simply tap Unlock with Passcode? link and enter your lock screen passcode. Then follow the setup steps to add any Apple account you desire.

Alternatives to iforgot.apple.com for Apple ID unlock

If you cannot access any unlock options on iforgot.apple.com, the website provides alternative suggestions to help you reset password and regain login access to your Apple account.

• You're able to unlock your locked Apple ID by changing the password in Settings on another trusted Apple device.
• If you don't have a trusted device, try unlocking your Apple ID through Apple Support app on a family member's iPhone or iPad.
• Alternatively, a recovery contact can help you reset your password for Apple account unlock when locked out with a forgotten password.

Change password on a trusted Apple device

On another trusted iPhone or iPad where the locked Apple account is still signed in, access the Change Password option in Settings to reset your Apple ID password for account unlocking. Take these steps to reset Apple ID login password if iforgot.apple.com unlock fails.

On a trusted iPhone or iPad:

• On your associated iPhone or iPad, head to Settings > your Apple user account.
• Tap Sign-In & Security > Change Password.
• Enter your iPhone/iPad passcode for verification. Check fixes if you forgot iPad passcode.
• When allowed, created a new password to your Apple account and confirm it.

On a trusted Mac:

• Click Apple menu > System Settings.
• Select your name > Sign-In & Security > Change Password.
• Follow the onscreen instructions to reset the password.

Then, your Apple ID will be unlocked with the new password. All services tied to that account will be available on all your devices.

Unlock Apple ID password while signing in on a new device

Without using iforgot.apple.com unlocking services, the initial sign-in steps on a new Apple device also allows you to reset password and unlock your Apple ID for full access.

Unlock a locked Apple ID during the setup on Apple Account sign-in screen:

• On an new iPhone / iPad: Go through the setup steps until prompted to sign in to Apple account; tap Forgot link and tap Forgot Password or Apple Account; then complete the reset of steps to create a new password and regain access to your locked Apple account.
• On a new Mac: When asked to sign in to Apple account, click Forgot password? link and follow the onscreen steps to set a new password and get into your unlocked Apple ID.

Alternatively, if you skipped the sign-in prompts during setup, you're still able to unlock Apple ID password in Settings app:

On iPhone or iPad:

• Move to Settings > Apple Account.
• Tap Sign in to your [device] > Don't have an Apple Account?.
• Then finish the onscreen steps for password reset to unlock your Apple account and sign in.
• For iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap iCloud and follow Forgot password? options.

On Mac:

• Choose Apple menu > System Settings or System Preferences.
• Click iCloud (or Sign in) and select Forgot password?.
• Complete the following steps to create a new unlock password to your Apple ID.

Reset Apple ID password using someone else's Apple device

If you don't have access to an Apple device but know the trusted phone number, you may borrow a friend or family member's iOS device to reset your Apple ID password when locked out. Be sure the device is running iOS 15 / iPadOS 15 or later, see how to unlock Apple ID password if iforgot.apple.com website is unavailable:

• Open App Store on an accessible Apple device.
• Download, install, and open Apple Support app.
• Scroll down to locate Support Tools and tap it.
• Tap Reset Password and choose Help Someone Else.
• Enter your own Apple account email address or phone number, tap Continue.
• Follow the onscreen steps to verify and create a new password for your account.

When the Apple ID password reset procedure is complete, use the new password to unlock your Apple account for all associated services.

FAQs on iforgot.apple.com Unlock

Q1: Why can't I unlock my Apple account at iforgot.apple.com?

The unlocking process on iforgot.apple.com website will redirect you to a trusted Apple device, phone number, or email for verification. When unsuccessful unlock happens, check if you provide the right information.

Alternatively, when using the Recovery Key or answering the Security Questions, be sure you remember all details and enter everything correctly.

Q2: Why didn't I receive the verification code from ifrogot.apple.com website?

The verification code will be sent to a trusted phone number / email or Apple device.

• Ensure there's a trusted phone number or email linked to your Apple account and you enter them correctly on ifrogot.apple.com.
• Refresh and check the inbox of your email and Messages app carefully.
• Ensure your Apple device is still associated with your locked Apple ID, or it won't be able to receive the code.

If there's still no clue about the code, check whether you've entered the right email address or phone number or contact Apple Support.

Q3: Can I unlock my Apple account without iforgot.apple.com?

Yes, if you don't have access to any information that iforgot.apple.com requires for unlocking an Apple account, the quickest way to regain access is to contact Apple Support or go to an Apple Store for further assistance.

Additionally, to remove the locked Apple account from your iPhone or iPad permanently, reach out to iPhone Unlocker for complete Apple ID removal directly from your iOS/iPadOS devices, with no need for password or iforgot.apple.com.