account is locked I need help

Hello, I need help with my Apple ID.


I bought a new iPhone 17 Pro Max yesterday and created a new iCloud account using the same phone number l use on my old device. When I turned on the new phone today, it asked me to complete


"Apple Account Verification" by entering my Apple


ID password. I entered the correct password, but it kept saying "Verification Failed."


I tried changing the password, erasing the phone, and resetting it, but nothing worked. Now it says my account is locked. I can't sign out of the iCloud account on the device.


Please help me unlock my account or tell me what steps I should take next.


Thank you.

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 29, 2025 11:17 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 29, 2025 11:27 AM

● If your account says “Account [is] locked”, or it is inactive, 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 Support - Apple Support


Additional reasons (e.g., “This account is locked and can't be used “):


● According to various posts, Apple may permanently lock accounts for other reasons (very broadly outlined in section VII-B of Legal - iCloud - Apple ). That may be the case here if none of the previous reasons apply to you. If it isn’t apparent, contact Apple and ask if that is the situation, but don’t expect them to tell you why. You, or somebody who has managed to get access to your account, are likely doing something Apple is interpreting as account misuse. You will have to see if your activities could be construed—rightly or wrongly—as meeting any of Apple's conditions in the legal article. You will need to create a new account and stop doing things the way you have been that may have caused the other account to be locked.

In this situation you may be able to still use your equipment with a new account or even no account at all. Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Check the requirements and steps at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” Apple may typically require the original receipt* issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.


*Apple recommends you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 29, 2025 11:27 AM in response to ANAMARIACHUMB

● If your account says “Account [is] locked”, or it is inactive, 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 Support - Apple Support


Additional reasons (e.g., “This account is locked and can't be used “):


● According to various posts, Apple may permanently lock accounts for other reasons (very broadly outlined in section VII-B of Legal - iCloud - Apple ). That may be the case here if none of the previous reasons apply to you. If it isn’t apparent, contact Apple and ask if that is the situation, but don’t expect them to tell you why. You, or somebody who has managed to get access to your account, are likely doing something Apple is interpreting as account misuse. You will have to see if your activities could be construed—rightly or wrongly—as meeting any of Apple's conditions in the legal article. You will need to create a new account and stop doing things the way you have been that may have caused the other account to be locked.

In this situation you may be able to still use your equipment with a new account or even no account at all. Apple can completely reset a device if a person can provide sufficient evidence of valid ownership. Check the requirements and steps at: Activation Lock support request - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support Apple says, "Proof of ownership documentation is required," but does not detail what currently constitutes proof other than it “must include the product serial number, IMEI or MEID.” Apple may typically require the original receipt* issued by Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller. If Apple resets the device this will give you access to the device but won't restore access to the account used to lock it. There is nothing that can be done to expedite an Activation Lock request.


*Apple recommends you "Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device" --> Keep your receipt after you buy an Apple device - Apple Support


account is locked I need help

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