How to Fix "This Apple ID is Not Active" Error on iPhone

Apple uses your Apple ID to verify your identity on your iOS devices and software applications. If you see the “This Apple ID is not active” error message on the screen of your iPhone or iPad, it means you can’t access or enjoy the full features on your Apple device until you activate the Apple ID.

So, why is your Apple ID not active, and how do activate an inactive Apple ID? This article reveals the common causes of inactive Apple ID and what you can do to fix the problem by yourself. Let’s dive in.

What Does It Mean “Apple ID Is Not Active”?

If you get the “This Apple ID is not active” error message on your iOS device, it means that Apple has disabled your account and can’t verify it. There are different reasons Apple disables customers’ accounts and we will reveal these reasons below.

Why Does It Say My Apple ID Is Not Active?

Here are some possible reasons your Apple ID isn’t active:

Your Apple account has been disabled

The most common reason for inactive Apple ID is because Apple has disabled the account. Usually, Apple will disable your Apple account if there are payment or subscription issues. Your account can also be disabled for security reasons especially if the account’s identity is misinterpreted.

You typed the wrong passcode multiple times

When you or a third-party type in the wrong passcode multiple times on your iOS device, your Apple account can be disabled, causing the Apple ID to become inactive. Apple often gives users 3-5 attempts to type in the right password for the account. The account is automatically locked once the number of tries has been exceeded.

Here are some of the error messages you might see if your Apple ID was disabled for the wrong password:

“This Apple ID has been disabled for security reasons”, “Your Apple ID has been locked for security reasons. To unlock it, you must verify your identity.”

You bought a used iOS device

If you purchased a used iPhone, you’ll need the former owner’s login details to activate the Apple ID. You can also ask the previous owner to sign out their iCloud on the device. If you can’t reach the owner, you can remove their Apple account details from the device list. We will discuss how to do this later in this article.

You violated Apple’s terms and conditions

Sometimes, when you break Apple’s user terms and conditions agreement, your Apple account can be disabled. Apple usually presents its customers with terms and conditions agreements while creating the Apple account and ID. If any of the clauses in this agreement are violated, Apple can disable your account, causing your Apple ID to stop working.

What To Do If My Apple ID Is Not Active?

Here are five expert ways to activate a locked or disabled Apple ID:

Check iCloud System Status

The first fix for an inactive Apple ID is to check the iCloud System Status. Checking the iCloud system status informs you if all the systems are working properly from Apple’s servers or not. A green circle next to the system program tells you that it’s running fine from the server. In this case, any issue you have with the Apple ID is from your end.

However, a blue circle next to the system indicates that the system is generally down. In this case, the fault is from Apple’s end and other customers like you are experiencing the same problems.

Reset Apple ID Password and Sign In Again

Sometimes, resetting the Apple ID password and account information details can activate the inactive Apple ID. This helps when you can’t remember the password or sign-in information. However, you’ll need the email linked to your Apple account and iOS device password for this to work.

Here is a detailed guide to resetting Apple ID sign-In details:

1. Unlock your Apple device and go to “Settings”.
2. Tap on “Your name.” Your name will be displayed at the top of the screen above the “Apple ID and iCloud” option.
3. You’ll see a list of options. Tap the “Password & Security” option. You might need to enter the iOS device password to continue.
4. Select “Change Password” and follow the on-screen instructions to reset the password.

Try Logging In Apple ID from A Web Browser

In some cases, the Apple ID is not active because there is a glitch with the cache memory of the iOS device. In this case, the sign-in details of your Apple account may be unrecognized, so a quick fix would be to sign in using a web browser on your computer.

Here is a guide on how to sign in to your Apple account from your Mac’s web browser:

1. On your Mac, select “Apple Menu.”
2. Choose the “System Preferences” option and sign in.
3. Enter the passcode of your Mac.
4. Enter your Apple ID sign-in details and passcode.
5. Sign in to your Apple account on the web browser to access it.

Report the Problem to Apple Support

Another way to fix your inactive Apple ID is to report the problem to Apple’s support team. This is the last resort for extreme cases like when you forget your password security questions and when other options have failed. When you contact the support team, their response will tell you why the account was disabled and what you can do to reactivate it.

The Ultimate Way to Fix This Apple ID is Not Active

If your Apple ID is not active due to a locked Apple account or forgotten sign-in details, the FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker can help to fix the problem. It is an intelligent software program that removes Apple ID accounts from iOS devices without the passcode in minutes. This is a perfect fix for used iPhone customers that want to remove the previous owner’s Apple account from the iOS device.

The software also removes different types of screen locks on iOS devices including 4-digit passcode, 6-digit passcode, Touch ID, and Face ID. And it works well on all iOS devices and iOS versions, even the newest iPhone 15/14/13 and iOS 17/16.

Follow this guide to remove Apple ID without a password:

1. Download FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker from its official site and install it on your PC.
2. Run the program after installation and on the home page, select “Unlock Apple ID” to continue.
3. Connect your iOS device to your PC using a lightning cable. Unlock the device and tap the “Trust” option if this is the first time you are using the PC with your iOS device.
4. Once the device is detected, click on “Start Unlock” to remove the Apple ID linked to the it.

Wait for a few minutes for the FoneGeek Passcode Unlocker to work its magic. After, the software will indicate if the Apple ID was removed or not.

FAQs about Apple ID Not Active

Here are frequently asked questions by Apple customers about inactive Apple ID:

Q1. Can you remove Apple ID that is not active?

Yes, you can remove inactive Apple IDs from your iOS device. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to the “Apple’s Data and Privacy” page on your iOS device.
2. Enter your Apple ID password and email. Then click Continue.
3. Tap the “Apple ID & Privacy” option.
4. Select “Deactivate” your account and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the Apple ID.

Q2. Can you unlock Apple ID without the email or password?

You can use the FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker to unlock your Apple ID without a password. The software can resolve Apple sign-in issues caused by software glitches, bugs, or other system issues. It is easy to use and guaranteed to unlock and remove Apple ID in minutes.

Q3. How to check Apple ID’s current status?

Follow this guide to check the current status of your Apple ID:

1. From the Apple menu, select “System Preferences” and tap on the “Apple ID” option.
2. The Apple ID information will be displayed on the screen. This includes its model, version, and serial number.
3. Check the information displayed to know the current status of the Apple ID.

Final Words

There are different reasons for getting “This Apple ID is not active” error message on your iOS device. It could be due to security reasons or violation of Apple’s user terms and conditions agreement. However, you can easily activate the Apple ID by yourself by resetting the Apple ID sign-in details or signing in to the Apple account on your web browser.

If you try these methods and the Apple ID remains inactive, you should remove it using the FoneGeek iPhone Passcode Unlocker. For more pro tips about your iOS devices, check out other posts on this website.