How to Know If Your Apple ID Has Been Disabled
When your Apple ID is disabled, the Apple device lets you know. You won’t be able to perform any of the actions that require an Apple ID, and you’ll see an on-screen message informing you of the problem. The exact message may be different, but the most common ones are:
This Apple ID has been disabled for security reasons.You can’t sign in because your account was disabled for security reasons.This Apple ID has been locked for security reasons.
If you see any of these alerts, Apple disabled your Apple ID.
Reasons Why an Apple ID Is Disabled
Apple automatically disables Apple IDs when someone tries to log in too many times using the wrong password, security question, or other account information. This can happen if you forget your password or accidentally type the wrong password too many times. More likely, though, someone is trying to gain unauthorized access to your Apple ID. A standard hacking technique is called a Brute Force Attack, which works by logging in to an account with guesses for passwords. Rather than allowing that to happen and potentially putting your account at risk, Apple disables the Apple ID account that may be a hacker’s target after a few incorrect entries. Then, only the user who owns the account and knows the right information can reactivate it. When your Apple ID is disabled, you can’t log in (even with the correct password) until you reenable the account.
How to Fix a Disabled Apple ID
Reenabling your disabled Apple ID requires going to the Apple website and resetting your password. While you’re there, turn on two-factor authentication, if you haven’t already, for added protection from future hackers.
Two-Factor Authentication Adds a Step
Apple encourages users of its products to add security to their accounts by using two-factor authentication with their Apple ID. With this approach, you can access your Apple ID only if you have your username and password and a randomly generated code supplied by Apple. When you use two-factor identification, fixing your disabled Apple ID is almost the same as when you don’t use it. The only difference is that you need access to one of the trusted devices you designated when you set up the two-factor authentication. Apple sends the random code to that device during the process of unlocking or resetting your Apple ID.
Contact Apple for Tech Support
If you followed the recommended steps and your Apple ID still isn’t enabled, contact Apple for support. In this case, getting online support from Apple is the way to go.
