Stuck in Apple Account recovery for over a month on my iPhone

Question

Stuck in Apple Account recovery for over a month on my iPhone

I need help, because Support has not been able to assist me. I may need to contact Corporate because no one has been able to help me. I purchased the iPhone 17 September 19th and moved from the 14. I wiped out the previous phone and when I tried to sign into the 17, it stated my second Apple ID, used for media and purchases, was incorrect. I used my iMac to try and get in but it said my password for my iMac was incorrect. I tried my MacBook Pro and the same- my password was wrong. I did everything I could on my own and then called support. They gave me the usual runaround that put me into recovery. I waited 24 hours and said I had to wait a week. A week passed and I got no txt or call. So I called. They said I fell out of recover and had to do it again. And I did it all again, and again and again! It is now a month later and I haven’t been able to use any of my apps on my phone and no one has been able to help me reset my password. This is ridiculous! I cant use my Apple Watch and none of my apps unless on my iPad Pro, but it’s limited over my phone, not to mention too big to carry everywhere.

I saw a couple other people had the same issue but I didn’t see if the issue was resolved. Can someone help me? I can not sign out of all of my devices, computer, tv’s and more because if I do I and never get my password reset, I will lose all of my son’s photos and videos! He died two years ago- I am terrified to sign out of anything! I can only use my phone’s basic functions and I have to hit “Not Now” a million times a day because I can’t rest my password. Can anyone hep me- and it not be the same malarkey I’ve already done?

I get this all day long. I have to get this resolved.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Account Recovery OVER a Month!

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Posted on Oct 17, 2025 5:37 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 17, 2025 7:43 PM in response to brainiacsfromherculaneum

brainiacsfromherculaneum wrote:

Hiya! So if I make the request on my MacBook Pro, I will then need to turn off that device? But all my tv’s, devices- even my husband’s phone have the same Apple ID for media and purchases. We all can’t be turned off for a days to weeks. How do I avoid that- you have any idea mate?

All devices associated with an Apple Account requesting Account Recovery must be off for the duration of the recovery. Powering up your gear will block the recovery.

Alternatives? Gather up your original purchase receipts, and get the devices moved to two new individual Apple Accounts. Abandon the current accounts with the forgotten password.

Sharing accounts is not recommended. Each person should gave their own Apple Account, per Apple.

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Answer 2

shoeluvr13

Level 6

18,529 points

Oct 17, 2025 7:13 PM in response to brainiacsfromherculaneum

During the wait period are you making sure you are carefully following the below steps outlined at How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support ?

“If you started your account recovery in Settings, System Settings, or the Apple Support app, you can continue to use that specific device during the account recovery period.
Regardless of how you started the account recovery request, you should turn off all other devices that are currently signed in with your Apple Account until account recovery is complete. If your Apple Account is in use during your request, your account recovery will be cancelled automatically.
If you started your account recovery request with iforgot.apple.com through your device’s browser, you should avoid using that device during this period. If possible, turn that device off. Using that device might cancel account recovery. "

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Answer 3

Oct 17, 2025 8:16 PM in response to brainiacsfromherculaneum

brainiacsfromherculaneum wrote:

I can see doing that, but how do I move all my purchases to a new ID? I thought that was impossible? And how do I see those purchases if I can’t log in? I’d happily do it if it works! According to what I’ve read, if the account is locked you can’t migrate anything.

You cannot transfer purchases from an account that you cannot access.

In summary: You don’t like the answer here. But the answer is the answer.

If you have forgotten the Apple Accounts password and cannot find clues to recalling that password elsewhere (such as in Keychain), then you will be using Account Recovery. Which requires everything be powered down.

And you will need to shut down all devices.

Shutting down everything else first might shorten the duration.

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Answer 4

Oct 17, 2025 7:32 PM in response to shoeluvr13

Hiya! So if I make the request on my MacBook Pro, I will then need to turn off that device? But all my tv’s, devices- even my husband’s phone have the same Apple ID for media and purchases. We all can’t be turned off for a days to weeks. How do I avoid that- you have any idea mate?

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Answer 5

Oct 17, 2025 8:09 PM in response to MrHoffman

I can see doing that, but how do I move all my purchases to a new ID? I thought that was impossible? And how do I see those purchases if I can’t log in? I’d happily do it if it works! According to what I’ve read, if the account is locked you can’t migrate anything.

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Answer 6

Oct 17, 2025 8:41 PM in response to MrHoffman

okay, so if I make the request from my MacBook Pro, I then turn everything off (but the MacBook Pro) and wait till I get my next email? Use only that one device. Am I understanding correctly?

Thank you, btw

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Answer 7

Oct 17, 2025 9:04 PM in response to brainiacsfromherculaneum

Follow these instructions:

How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support

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