Your Apple Account is locked or disabled: how to get back in

Why it happens

Apple locks an account after too many wrong passwords, wrong security answers or sign-ins that look suspicious. It's there to stop someone else getting in, and your data is safe while it's locked. Once Apple confirms it's you, you can use your account again.

How to fix it

1. If the lock message is still on screen, click Request Access and follow the steps it shows.

2. No alert, or it went away? Open Safari, type iforgot.apple.com/unlock in the address bar and press Return.

   Safari›iforgot.apple.com/unlock

3. Enter your Apple Account email or phone number and follow the steps. You'll be asked to confirm it's you, for example with a code sent to your trusted phone number or another Apple device. You can then unlock with your current password or choose a new one.

4. If the alert says your account is disabled in Media & Purchases, click Continue in that alert and follow the steps to review your account.

5. When you're back in, sign in again where your Mac asks, for example at the top of System Settings, so iCloud, Messages and the App Store work again.

Still not fixed?

1. If you don't remember your password, click Forgot password? on the sign-in window to reset it. If you're still signed in on your Mac, you can change it in Sign-In & Security.

   Apple Account›Sign-In & Security›Password

2. If you can't get a code on any trusted device or number, Apple starts account recovery. It can take several days to confirm it's you. That wait protects your account, so let it run rather than starting over.

3. Be careful with lock warnings that arrive by email or text. Don't follow their links. Type iforgot.apple.com into Safari yourself so you know you're on Apple's own site.

4. If the page says your account can't be unlocked online, or you see that the account is not active, contact Apple Support. Only Apple can review and restore a disabled account.