How can I unlock my Apple ID when I don't recall the answers to my security questions?

My Apple ID has been locked

How to create new account which I only bought this new phone recently .. due to many tried and eventually get lock up.

Do you have access to the recovery email? If you can access the email associated with your Apple ID, choose the option to send a verification email. This will allow you to reset your account.

Here are additional methods you can try to unlock your Apple ID if you don't recall the answers to your security questions:

1. Use Account Recovery: If you can't access your recovery email or don't have two-factor authentication enabled, you can initiate an account recovery. This process may take several days, but it allows you to regain access without needing the security questions. Start the process by going to iforgot.apple.com.
2. Update Security Information: If you have access to a trusted device logged into your Apple ID, you can update your security questions by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Security Questions. This might help if you remember some of the answers.

For more options, refer to Apple iPhone How to Remove Apple ID or Apple’s official guide on recovering your Apple ID

Hello,

Try the directions in the article If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support for resetting your security questions:

"Reset your security questions

1. Go to https://iforgot.apple.com/ .

2. Enter your Apple ID, then select Continue.

3. Choose the option to reset your security questions, then select Continue.

4. Enter your Apple ID password, then select Continue.

5. Follow the onscreen steps to verify your identity. The information you’re asked to provide may vary based on your account details and other factors. If you don't get any options to verify your identity, you can't reset your security questions at this time.

6. Choose new security questions and answers and select Continue."

Note that Apple labeled this article as "archived", which means it has not been updated since December, 2021 and may contain outdated information.

If you get a message about not having 'sufficient information', you will not be able to reset your security questions this way.

This Apple Recommended post purports you can make an Account Recovery request in this situation and subsequently reset your security questions (of which I am somewhat skeptical and you may be required to set up two factor authentication instead): Reset security questions, required to fil… - Apple Community

The article: About your Apple ID email addresses - Apple Support is updated and it implies you can use a rescue email (if you set one up -- if you did not, it is too late to do that now) to reset your questions: "If you ever forget your security questions, you can use your rescue email address to reset them. We also send any account security-related notifications to your rescue email address." How you do this exactly is not clear and my research into this reveals it may depend upon your region. Here is one possible way (from: https://www.alphr.com/we-do-not-have-sufficient-information-to-reset-your-security-questions/ ) but I have not tested it beyond the first step since I do not want to experiment with my account. ;-).

1. Visit this page and enter your Apple ID --> https://iforgot.apple.com/password/verify/appleid

2. Enter your rescue email address and have a verification email sent there to reset your password.

3. Follow the link in the email to reset.

If you cannot get any of the above to help with resetting the security questions then realize that several years ago Apple transitioned to using to two factor authentication instead of security questions. Apple has since been persistently encouraging users to switch to the newer security system and your only recourse may now be to try to change to two factor authentication as outlined in this article --> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support Follow the instructions in the section "Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID"

If you can neither reset the questions, nor switch to two-factor authentication, you may well have lost any access to that account. In a Dec. 2022 post by Apple Community Specialist K_Faith in the thread I’ve tried resetting my security question… - Apple Community it says, "If you’ve forgotten your security questions, there isn’t a way for Apple to reset them for you, or another way to access your account. You would need to create a new Apple ID, which also means you won’t have access to previous purchases or data stored in iCloud."

If you wish to speak with Apple about this, contact with Apple ID account security using the information in this document --> Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support

This is what I’m experiencing in downloading from my Apple store

Your account has been

disabled in the App Store and iTunes.

Hello,

I see you apparently have a disabled account, but have not provided the exact error message which would indicate a specific solution. The support article If your Apple ID is locked, not active, or disabled - Apple Support has solutions for three frequently encountered reasons for an account to be disabled/locked/not-active:

● If a message says "your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes Store" or "You cannot login because your account has been locked", you might be able to request reactivation by tapping Continue right from the alert. If that does not work, Apple provides a link for this specific issue. Tap or click here and choose a self-help or contact method ➞ https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0245&symptom_id=23362 .

● If your account has been disabled for “security reasons” the solution is to reset your password as outlined in this document: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery (read this support article: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. More detail in —> Activation Lockout Issues - Apple Community For additional assistance from Apple Security, read: Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

● If your account says “Account Locked”, or it is inactive, that is not the same as it being disabled. You might be able to request access to your account by tapping Request Access right from the alert. If that does not work, this link (versus one taking you to the general support page) is the most direct way to get to the people helping you with this —> https://getsupport.apple.com/?PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0245&symptom_id=23626

or by telephone at one of the numbers in this support article --> Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

You need to create a new account then if none of the reset steps work. You lost it.

This thread is starting to wander all over the place with people asking unrelated questions.

This Apple article has instructions for what to do if you have forgotten your Apple account password —> If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

or go directly to this link —> http://iforgot.apple.com/

If you don't receive your verification or reset email, read this Apple Support article: If you didn't receive your verification or reset email - Apple Support

"When you make certain updates to your Apple ID, we’ll send you an email to help you complete the update. For example, you might have reset your password, reset your security questions, or added a new email address to your account."

If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery (read this support article: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity. More detail in —> Activation Lockout Issues - Apple Community

This page has telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➞ Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

If you are signed into this forum using the same Apple Account then your browser may be configured to automatically enter your password. You should be able to view stored passwords in your browser's preferences/settings.

How to reset security questions ?

Read the previous posts that I made.

I don’t know

Hello,

I see you apparently have a disabled account, but have not provided the exact error message which would indicate a specific solution. The support article If your Apple ID is locked or disabled - Apple Support has solutions for two frequently encountered reasons for an account to be disabled/locked:

● If a message says "your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes Store" or "You cannot login because your account has been locked", then you must contact Apple; you cannot resolve this yourself. Apple provides a link for this specific issue. Tap or click here ➞ https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0245&symptom_id=23362 .

● If your account has been disabled for security reasons the solution is to reset your password as outlined in this document: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support

If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery (read this support article: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. More detail in —> Activation Lockout Issues - Apple Community For additional assistance from Apple Security, read: Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

● If your account says it is inactive, that is not the same as it being disabled. Contact Apple:

1. Click here --> https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=cups&PGF=PGF63005

2. Select: Disabled Apple ID

3. Select: ”The Apple ID is not active" alert

4. Select: “Continue”

5. Select a chat or telephone call option.

If it's another reason then post here with details.

Petersongs wrote:

This is what I’m experiencing in downloading from my Apple store

Your account has been

disabled in the App Store and iTunes.

Nothing to do with the question that was asked and the solutions posted. It helps not to mix questions in one thread. Start your own topic next time please (plus I have answered this question a thousand times already and I am sure that a search would have revealed one of my replies).

If a message says 'Your Media & Purchases account has been disabled' - Apple Support or "You cannot login because your account has been locked", you might be able to request reactivation by tapping Continue right from the alert. If that does not work, Apple provides a link with three options for this specific issue. Tap or click here and choose the self help method, or a contact option ➞ https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=kbase&PGF=PGF63005&category_id=SC0245&symptom_id=23362 .

or for additional telephone contacts refer to: Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support

I want to unlock my Apple ID