iforgot.apple.com: How to Use It to Unlock/Recover Your Apple ID

Apple’s one-account-for-everything approach makes life easier until the account, Apple ID(renamed to “Apple Account”now) locks you out. Once your Apple ID is locked, you can’t download apps, sync with iCloud, or even update your iPhone. And no matter where you look to deal with this, you find the first response remains the same: go to iforgot.apple.com.

So, what exactly does iforgot.apple.com do? We’ll break it all down here, from introducing iforgot site to using it for Apple ID unlock or recovery. More importantly, we’ll also show you alternatives for times when iforgot.apple.com doesn’t work. And if every method fails, there’s still one last solution: remove the Apple ID entirely from iDevice using Passixer iPhone Unlocker, so you can sign in with a new Apple account in minutes.

Overview of iforgot.apple.com and Unlocking Apple ID

What is iforgot.apple.com?

Put simply, iforgot.apple.com is Apple’s official portal for unlocking a restricted Apple ID(now called Apple Account), resetting a forgotten Apple ID password, or regaining access when security measures block your account. It’s useful when standard recovery options on your iDevice or Mac settings aren’t available.

It strictly handles Apple ID’s password-related issues. Even if you reach out to Apple Support, they’ll direct you back here for any password-related concerns.

When Do You Need to Unlock Your Apple ID?

Apple ID locks happen for various reasons and the way you regain access depends on what triggered it. Here’s when iforgot.apple.com becomes essential:

• You enter the wrong password too many times, which forces Apple to lock your ID temporarily.
• Unusual login attempts can trigger security restrictions, like when you try to sign in from an unrecognized location or device.
• Jailbreaking, modifying security settings, or sharing your Apple ID often results in account restrictions.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) problems.

An unpaid balance, declined transaction, or billing dispute can also lead to your Apple ID being disabled. However, in such cases, you should contact Apple Support.

How Does iforgot.apple.com Work on Unlocking Apple ID?

You will only need either your Apple ID email or the linked phone number to use the site. Once submitted, Apple will evaluate your recovery options, allowing you to reset your password or even initiate an Account Recovery process if necessary.

How to Unlock Your Apple ID with iforgot.apple.com

Coming to the actual process of unlocking your Apple ID, it feels simple on the surface, but it doesn’t work the same way for everyone.

For instance, some users will get an instant verification and can reset the password within seconds. For others, the process will become demanding—like they will have to dig through old emails or search for a Recovery key. Next, we will guide you through the process step by step.

If your iPhone, iPad or Mac is accessible:

• Visit the iforgot.apple.com via Safari on the unlocked iPhone and choose Reset Password.



• Then, Apple will automatically ask you to enter your iPhone’s passcode.
• Once verified, you can create a new password that you want to assign from now on to your Apple ID, skipping all the hassle together.

If you can’t get into your iDevice or Mac:

For those locked out of their iPhone or Mac, whether the Apple ID is disabled due to forgetting password or security reasons, the overall unlocking process is different for everyone. 

Still, regardless of what verification settings were configured earlier, the initial steps remain the same for everyone:

Step 1. Type in iforgot.apple.com in the browser’s address bar and select Reset Password.

Step 2. Type in your mail address or phone number linked to your Apple ID or account.

Step 3. Solve the CAPTCHA to prove you’re a human and press the blue Continue button.

What happens next depends entirely on your Apple ID’s setup. Apple will use the fastest way to verify you based on your account settings.

We’ve listed the paths as Way 1, Way 2, and Way 3 in a structured manner. Go through each to maximize your chances of unlocking your Apple ID without needing full account recovery.

Way 1. Via Trusted Phone Number/Devices

After completing the CAPTCHA and hitting Continue, most users will be taken to the Look for a notification shown on your [Trusted] device screen. A Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, or another iPhone—any of these is considered a Trusted device, as long as you’ve previously signed in.

Since Apple already considers them secure, just tap Allow, follow the prompts, and you’ll be taken to the Reset Your Password screen.

When you can’t use a [Trusted Device], simply click “Don’t have access to this iPhone (Trusted Device)” option and follow along.

Trusted Number

If a [Trusted Device] isn’t available or you’ve selected “Don’t have access to the trusted device”, Apple will move to the next best option: your trusted phone number. Again, this number is the one you’ve previously added and verified with your Apple ID. You’ll either see the full number or the last two-digit displayed for confirmation.

• Tap Send Code if you have access to the phone number.



• Apple will send a verification code via normal message.



• Enter the code and you’ll be taken to the Reset Your Apple ID Password screen.

Way 2. Through Recovery Email/Security Questions

Selecting “Can’t use this number?” or having no [Trusted Device] will lead Apple to the next available option—your email ID or Security questions, provided you previously set up. Apple will automatically check for any primary or secondary email associated with your Apple ID.

• On the Select how you want to unlock your account page, you’ll find two options: Get an email or Answer security questions. 
• Select the option that works for you and hit Continue.

Via Get an Email

• Going with the email route? Apple will give you a hint of the registered email, revealing a few masked letters so you can identify where the verification link is headed.
• Once sent, open your inbox, find Apple’s email, and click the link inside.



• Once you click on the link, you will be taken straight to the Choose Your New Apple ID Password screen.
• Enter a new password and hit Continue.

You’re all set! This fresh password will let you log in on a new device or recover your data instantly.

Via Security Questions

• For those who opt for Security Questions, Apple will present the ones you previously selected.
• Answer them correctly, tap Continue, and follow the final steps to reset your password.

Way 3. Use Recovery Key

The final method relies on a Recovery Key: a 28-character code that must have been generated earlier through the Sign-in & Security menu on an iDevice or Mac. However, here’s the catch: it’s not a standalone solution. Even with the key stored safely, Apple will still require verification through a trusted phone number or device before granting access.

Yes, in reality, this means that you won’t ever need a Recovery Key screen, as you can already verify their identity through an accessible trusted number or device—as shown in Way 1.

When to use this way: If you’ve exhausted every other method and tell Apple you don’t have access to your trusted number, you’ll be prompted to enter the Recovery Key to reset your Apple ID password. And even after doing so, you’ll still need to verify a code sent to that same trusted number.

How to Remove Locked Apple ID from Your iPhone/iPad

iforgot.apple.com recovery system doesn’t always work in your favor. Maybe your trusted phone number is out of reach or maybe your trusted device is unavailable. No matter what, the result will be the same: you’re unable to change crucial settings, and even install new Apple apps. That doesn’t mean your device has become a useless brick. With Passixer iPhone Unlocker, you can completely remove the locked Apple ID and set up a new one on your iOS device.

Passixer bypasses Apple’s slow verification process and works in just three straightforward steps on macOS or Windows for easy and quick Apple ID removal. Plus, it supports every iPhone, iPod, and iPad model, whether you’re running iOS 11.4 or the latest iOS 18. Many users appreciate its high success rate, up to 99% and quick turnaround, making it an ideal solution when all standard methods have failed.

Key Features:

• Remove Apple ID with or without Find My iPhone enabled, ensuring access regardless of settings.
• Allow instant sign-in regardless of whether Apple ID is locked due to security restrictions or previous ownership.
• Support additional unlocks like passcode removal, bypass iCloud Activation Lock.
• Remove Screen Time restriction from your iDevice without passcode and data loss.

Steps to Remove Apple ID Using Passixer:

Step 1. Install it on your Windows or Mac and open the tool. On the home screen, select Remove Apple ID to begin.

Step 2. Use a USB cable to connect the iOS device to your computer. Tap Trust on the iPhone if prompted.

Step 3. Click Start and the tool will begin removing the Apple ID, if Find My iPhone is turned off.

Optional: Follow the right steps if Find My iPhone is enabled 

• For iOS 11.4 or earlier: Head to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings on your iPhone. Then, the Apple ID removal process will continue automatically.
• For iOS 11.4 or later:
• Ensure two-factor authentication and screen passcode are  enabled. When prompted, enter 0000 and hit Confirm.



• Check the device info and click Start to download the firmware.



• Enter 0000 and hit Unlock to begin removing disabled Apple ID from your iPhone.

You’re now free to sign in with a new Apple ID and regain full access to your device.

How to Unlock Your Apple ID Without iforgot.apple.com

Losing access to your Apple ID doesn’t always mean heading straight to iforgot.apple.com. There are other methods that can help you unlock your Apple ID easily. However, these methods only work when:

• You forgot the password but still have access to your device.
• Your Apple ID isn’t locked for security reasons.
• You lost access to your trusted phone number but remember the digits.

Now, here are four ways to reset your password without iforgot.apple.com.

Way 1. Use Settings App

Resetting your Apple ID password through the Settings app is the simplest method. Since Apple prioritizes on-device authentication, you won’t need to verify via email or phone. Instead, your Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode will act as proof of identity here. That said, here’s how to reset your Apple ID password directly from your iPhone as an example:

Step 1. Open Settings and tap Your Name banner at the top.

Step 2. Select Sign-In & Security from the list of options.

Step 3. Find and tap Change Password. 

Step 4. Apple will now ask you to confirm your identity. Use Face ID, Touch ID, or enter your device passcode.

Step 5. After successful verification, you’ll land on the Enter New Password screen.

Step 6. Type in your new password, confirm it, and tap Continue.

Way 2. Via Account Recovery Contact

Whenever you hit Forgot Password on the Apple Account Sign in page and get past the usual verification attempts like trusted numbers and devices, Apple will take you to Get Help from your Recovery Contact. If you set one up before, you can reach out to them for a code to unlock your account.

Ask your Recovery Contact to follow these steps to generate the code:

Step 1. Go to Settings, tap their name, and select the Account Recovery option on the Sign-In & Security menu.

Step 2. Under Account Recovery For, they’ll find your name. Tapping it will bring up the Get Recovery Code option. Once they select it, a six-digit code appears. Then let them send it over.

Now, back to your locked iPhone:

Step 3. Select I have a recovery code and enter the number.

Step 4. Apple will also ask for your passcode. Enter the device passcode from which the recovery was initiated. This step ensures that even with a Recovery Code, no one else can hijack your account.

Step 5. And once verified, you’ll see the Enter New Password screen. Set a new one, confirm, and that’s it—you’re back in.

Way 3. Through Apple Support App

As long as you have access to another iPhone, whether it belongs to a friend, family member, or even one in the Apple Store, you can reset your Apple ID password using the Apple Support app. It doesn’t have to be a trusted device or contact. Just follow these steps:

Step 1. Download Apple Support from App Store. Once installed, open the app and tap Reset Password under the Support Tools section.

Step 2. On the next screen, tap the blue Help Someone Else link at the bottom.

Step 3. Type in the Apple ID email associated with the locked account and hit Continue.

Step 4. Apple will prompt you to confirm the linked phone number. Don’t worry, you generally don’t need access to the number itself. Just type in the digits, and move forward.

Step 5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the password reset. Once done, your Apple ID will be updated and ready to use again.

Way 4. Use Sign in to Your iPhone Option

There’s also an option to reset your Apple ID password when signing into a new iPhone or Mac. For instance, when you open the Settings app on a fresh iPhone, you’ll see Sign in to your iPhone. Here’s the full process, step by step:

Step 1. Tap Sign in to your iPhone on the main Settings menu. Two options will appear, select Sign in Manually to proceed.

Step 2. When prompted to enter the email or phone number linked with your Apple ID, tap Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID?

Step 3. Tap Forgot Password or Apple ID. Then, enter the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. And you’ll have to confirm your phone number.

Then, follow the on-screen instructions. Usually, this method is only helpful if you have the Recovery Key.

Bonus: Final Way to Unlock Your Apple ID Without Phone Number/Email/Password

When you insist on recovering your Apple ID but not removing it and creating a new one, Apple’s Account Recovery serves as the final option to regain access to your Apple ID and its data.

To Start an Account Recovery:

Step 1. Go to iforgot.apple.com and try recovering your account using the usual methods outlined earlier.  

Step 2. If none of them work, Apple will present options like “Use another Apple device” or “Send code to your trusted number.” If these aren’t accessible, select Can’t use any of these options?

Note: You’ll never see the “Can’t use any of these options?” option if you’ve opted for Recovery Key before.  

Step 3. Apple will warn that the recovery process involves a waiting period. Simply select Continue Anyway to proceed.

Step 4. Apple will ask you to provide a new contact method for further communication.

Step 5. Once you hit Continue, you will see a confirmation message, indicating that the recovery process has begun. The waiting period will be mentioned, it could be several days or longer, depending on account security.

That’s it! Just make sure to turn off all devices linked to your Apple ID, including the one you’re trying to recover and the device you used to initiate the recovery process (even if it was through a browser).

Conclusion

That’s really everything you need to know about iforgot.apple.com. Every possible way to reset your password and unlock your Apple ID has been covered, including alternative methods you can try instead of iforgot.

However, when nothing else works, Passixer iPhone Unlocker gives you one last option: remove the Apple ID entirely and sign in with a new one. So, no matter the issue, you can use your iPhone, iPad, or Mac as normal without feature limitations.