“This Apple ID is not active”: what it means and how to fix it

“This Apple ID is not active” (or “This Apple Account is not active” on newer software) can appear when you sign in on a new device, on the App Store, in iCloud settings, or on the Activation Lock screen after a reset. It sounds final, but in most cases it is a lock you can remove yourself. Sometimes it is not even about your account, but about the device or network you are signing in from. Here is how to work out which, and what to do.

First, rule out the device and network

• Apple’s servers: check apple.com/support/systemstatus. If Apple Account or iCloud shows an issue, wait and try later.
• Date and time: a wrong clock breaks secure sign-in. Turn on Set Automatically in Settings › General › Date & Time.
• VPN or network filters: turn off VPNs, ad blockers and school or work Wi-Fi filters, then try again on cellular data or another network.
• Software: update iOS, iPadOS or macOS, since older versions can fail to sign in to current accounts.

If the same account signs in fine on another device or at account.apple.com, the account is active and the problem is on this device. In that case, sign out of the Apple Account on this device if it lets you, restart it, and sign in again. If it still fails, back up and reset all settings in Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Reset, which keeps your data but clears network and system settings that can block sign-in.

How to fix Apple ID not active

If the message says the account was locked for security reasons, the full steps, including account recovery and how to stop repeated locks, are in what to do when your Apple ID is locked.

Other reasons an Apple ID shows as not active

• New account not finished: Apple sends a verification code to the email address when you create an account. Until it is verified, some sign-ins fail. Check your inbox and spam folder, or request a new code in account settings.
• Work or school account: Managed Apple Accounts are controlled by an organization and may not work on personal devices or with the App Store. Ask your IT administrator.
• Child account: a child’s account in Family Sharing may be restricted by the organizer. The parent can check it in Settings › Family.
• Region mismatch: some features and stores do not accept accounts from another country. Sign in with the account for the region you are in, or change your account’s country if you have moved.
• Account disabled by Apple: rare, and usually linked to fraud, a chargeback or a terms violation. Only Apple Support can review it.

“Not valid or not supported”: are you using the right email?

This related message usually means the sign-in name does not match an Apple Account. Common causes:

• A typo, or an extra space at the end of the email address.
• You changed the email address on your account, and are still typing the old one.
• You are typing a phone number that is not set as a sign-in method.
• You have two Apple Accounts and are using the wrong one on this device.

Forgot which email is your Apple ID?

• On any device still signed in, open Settings and tap your name; the email is shown under it.
• On a Mac, look in System Settings › [your name].
• Search your email inboxes for receipts or messages from Apple; they are sent to your Apple Account email.
• At iforgot.apple.com, you can look up your Apple Account using your name and email addresses you might have used.

Not active when buying in the App Store

If the error appears only when you try to buy or download something, check the payment side. Update your card in Settings › [your name] › Payment & Shipping, and look for an unpaid balance in the App Store under your profile. A payment dispute or chargeback with your bank on an Apple purchase can restrict purchases until it is resolved with Apple Support. Children in Family Sharing may also need approval from the organizer through Ask to Buy.

On a Mac or Windows PC

The same fixes apply. On a Mac, check Date & Time in System Settings, sign in at account.apple.com in Safari to confirm the account works, then sign in again in System Settings. On Windows, update the iCloud for Windows and Apple Music or Apple TV apps from the Microsoft Store, sign out, restart and sign back in.

Not active on a used iPhone’s Activation Lock

If you bought a used iPhone and, after setting it up, it asks for the previous owner’s Apple Account and says it is not active, the phone is still tied to their account. The seller must unlock their account and remove the phone from it at icloud.com/find. Apple will only help the original owner, usually with proof of purchase. If the seller disappears, return the phone. See how to check if a phone is stolen before your next purchase.

When you need Apple Support

Contact Apple Support if iforgot.apple.com cannot unlock the account, if the message mentions the App Store and iTunes being disabled, or if Apple disabled the account. Use the Apple Support app or getsupport.apple.com. Have ready your account email or phone number, your trusted phone number, a device signed in to the account if you have one, and purchase details for billing issues. Apple Support can explain why an account was restricted, but for security reasons they cannot bypass account recovery or unlock an account for someone who is not the owner.

Should you just create a new Apple ID?

It is tempting, but usually a mistake. Your purchases, subscriptions, iCloud photos and backups, and Activation Lock on your devices all belong to the original account. A new account starts empty, cannot reach any of that, and cannot unlock a device tied to the old one. Create a new account only if Apple confirms the old one cannot be restored, or if the old one was never really used. Even then, keep trying to recover the old account so you can download what is stored in it.

If you share a family plan, also remember that Family Sharing, shared subscriptions and Ask to Buy are linked to specific accounts, so switching accounts affects the rest of the family too.

After it is active again

• Sign in again on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV.
• Check that iCloud, iMessage and FaceTime are turned on.
• Review devices and trusted phone numbers in Settings › [your name] and remove any you do not recognize.
• Add a recovery contact so a future lock is quick to fix.
• Save your password in the Passwords app, and turn on two-factor authentication if it is not already on.
• Keep your payment method current so purchase-related restrictions do not come back.