This Apple ID Is Not Active – Causes & Working Fixes

Apple ID is the individual account you use to access Apple’s services like iTunes, Apple Store purchases, iCloud, etc. It also provides security, making your device invulnerable to phishing and theft.

Sometimes, customers have issues accessing their Apple ID accounts, which creates a lot of concern since they are at risk of losing their data.

This article discusses some possible reasons why you’re seeing “this apple ID is not active” when trying to log in.

This Apple ID is not active – Possible Causes

Apple ID might become inactive if there has been a breach in security, like when someone tries to access your device and inputs the wrong password, or repeatedly fails some other security information. Your Apple ID locks automatically to secure your data.

How to fix this Apple ID is not active?

When your device shows your Apple ID is not active, the wrong passcode has been entered too many times. It also happens when there’s suspicious activity going on in your account. Here are tips on how you can fix it:

Fix 1: Restarting the device

Restart the device and try to sign in again.

Fix 2: Check Apple’s servers

If that doesn’t work, check Apple’s system status here. If there’s a green circle beside Apple ID, it’s running and available.

Fix 3: Reactivating your ID by contacting Apple Support

You can contact Apple Support to reactivate your ID with a unique alphanumeric access code.
You can also contact Apple Support via Twitter; they seem more responsive there. Summarize the issue you encountered before: Apple ID is not active. When they respond, provide the affected Apple ID email address, and they’ll begin from there.

Fix 4: Restoring the device

If you use an iOS 11 or later, and your device is protected with two-factor authentication, you can try to recover your device by putting your iPhone in recovery mode. Recovery mode resets your device by clearing your data and restoring factory settings, then letting you proceed to set up your iPhone. You’ll need to use a PC or a Mac with iTunes installed and a compatible cable to put your device in recovery mode.

To put your device in recovery mode, you have to turn OFF your iPhone. While your iPhone is OFF, you’d have to hold a button before powering it on to put it in recovery mode. If you use an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, SE (2nd and 3rd gen), or later, hold down the side button. If you use an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 plus, hold down the Volume Down button, and if you use a 1stgen iPhone SE, a 6S, or earlier, use the Home button.

While holding the said buttons, connect your iPhone to your computer, and don’t let go of the control until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPhone. If the passcode screen comes on, turn OFF your iPhone and start again.

Next, find your iPhone in the Finder or iTunes of the connected computer. Select Restore when the Restore or Update options come ON to begin the restoration. If the download is more than 15 minutes and your iPhone exits the recovery mode screen, find the download, turn OFF your iPhone, and start again.

Wait for the procedure to finish, and then disconnect your iPhone. Set up and start to use your iPhone.

How do I delete an inactive Apple ID?

Deleting your inactive Apple ID means you wouldn’t have access to services that need your ID. Also, any data stored on these services would be deleted, such as data-backed in your iCloud and other services like Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Pay, etc. To permanently delete your Apple ID, visit Apple’s Data & Policy website.

Follow these steps:

Scroll down to Delete your account and click on it to begin the Data and Policy web page’s deletion process.
You’ll review what happens when you delete your account on the opening page. First, ensure you’ve done everything in the Before deleting your account section, select a reason for deleting the ID account from the dropdown menu, then click Continue.
On the next page, go over the warnings and then click Continue.
Mark the checkbox to agree to the Deletion Terms & Conditions and click Continue.
Choose the most preferred way you’d like Apple to contact you with the deletion updates and click Continue.
Apple would provide you with an access code, record it somewhere and click Continue.
Go through the final steps to confirm your intention to delete your account, and then, on the confirmation screen, click Sign out.

Next, Apple will then manually verify the request, and then within a week, you’d get a confirmation that the deletion is complete.

How do I reset my Apple ID if the email is no longer valid?

If you longer have access to the email linked to your Apple ID, there are ways to change the email address.

First, visit www.appleid.apple.com.
Sign in with your previous email address and password.
Go to the Accounts section and click Edit.
Under the Apple ID section, click Edit.
Put in the new email address you want to link to your new Apple ID.
Next, click Continue.

You can also change it directly from your device if you’re logged in to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch device running on at least an iOS 13 or later. Follow these instructions:

Open the device’s Settings and tap on the Apple ID card at the top.
Choose the Name, Phone number, and Email address.
Tap Edit.
Click the red mark next to your old email address to delete it.
Tap Continue in the next window that pops up.
Select the new email you want to link to the ID. Apple may ask you some security questions for validation before you can proceed.
Tap Next to finish.

Can Apple ID be permanently locked?

Apple can permanently disable an account if they notice a suspicious activity going on in the account.

How long do iCloud accounts stay active?

If another user knows your Apple ID and password, they have the same access to the Apple services you do. For example, someone with your ID can access your iCloud, restore your backups to their devices, and read your messages, emails, notes, etc.

John Adebimitan

John follows everything happening in the tech industry, from the latest gadget launches to some of the big-name moves in the industry. He covers opinionated pieces and writes on some of the biggest names in the industry. John is also a freelance writer, so he shares articles on freelancing every now and then. email: john@tekpip.com Learn more about tekpip and the team here on our about us page.