Last week, the editor of a famous sports media outlet picked up an iPhone and saw the message: “Your smartphone is locked. You can unblock it by contacting the address.” At first the man thought it was a prank, but after two or three unsuccessful attempts to enter the password, it became clear that the matter was much more serious. Of the many functions of the gadget, only one remains - answering calls.
Then the editor, who told Life the details and wished to remain anonymous, found a letter in the main mailbox: “Hello! Your device is locked. To receive an unlock code for your device, pay 1,500 rubles to the Beeline number: +7-969-265-86-39. After payment, attach a receipt or indicate the time of payment. We will send the code within an hour. 12 hours are allotted for payment. After this, your device will be completely erased." In addition, hackers offer to pay for unlocking services using a bank card.
The Apple ID hijacking business has been booming for several years now. In theory, hackers could ask for much more money, but this is not necessary: many users become their victims every day, so it is easier to demand small amounts and return hacked emails.
The story with the editor ended relatively well: he reached the official service, showed the attackers’ letter, answered three security questions and received an unlocked device.
Removing Apple ID blocking for security reasons
This message, when using any device connected to an Apple ID, may occur as a result of you or someone else repeatedly entering your password incorrectly or answering security questions incorrectly.
Method 1: Password recovery procedure
First of all, if such a message arose through your fault, that is, it was you who entered the password incorrectly, you will need to complete the procedure for restoring it, which includes resetting the current password and setting a new one. This procedure was described in more detail earlier on our website.
Method 2: Use a device previously connected to an Apple ID
If you have an Apple device that suddenly displays a message on the screen stating that your Apple ID has been blocked for security reasons, this may indicate that someone else who knows your Apple ID email address is trying to access your account. password, but all attempts have so far failed because the account has been blocked.
- When the message “Apple ID is blocked” is displayed on the screen of your device, just below tap on the “Unblock account” button.
- A window will appear on the screen with the available unlocking methods: “Unblock using e-mail” and “Answer security questions.”
- If you select the first option, you will need to go to your mailbox, where an incoming letter from Apple will be waiting for you with a link to unlock your account. If you have selected security questions, two out of three questions will be displayed on the screen, to which you must give only correct answers.
- After the recovery procedure is completed, be sure to change the password for your Apple ID profile.
Method 3: Contact Apple Support
An alternative way to gain access to your Apple ID account is to contact support.
- Follow this URL link to the Apple Help page and under "Apple Experts" select "Get Help."
In the next window, open the “Apple ID” section.
Select "Talk to Apple Support Now" if you have the opportunity to speak with an expert now. If this is not an option at the moment, then proceed to the “Call Apple Support Later” option.
- Depending on the section you choose, you will need to fill out a short questionnaire, after which a specialist will call the specified number immediately or at the time you specify. Explain your problem to the specialist in detail. By carefully following his instructions, you will soon be able to access your account.
These are all methods that allow you to eliminate the “security lock” and return the ability to work with your Apple ID.
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How scammers work
Theft of social media accounts has been happening for quite a few years now. Recently, attackers began using hacked VKontakte and Odnoklassniki profiles to send messages asking for help.
Imagine that on VKontakte you receive a message from one of your friends of this kind: “Max, hello! Lost my iPhone. We urgently need your help! Enter my Apple ID details (supplied) into your iPhone in Settings > iCloud and look on the map in Find iPhone where it is located.”
Something like this... And you know, many fall for this deception and actually enter someone else’s account Settings > iCloud STOP! Do not do that!
The message sent may change its “appearance”, but the essence remains the same - attackers, under any pretext, ask you to enter someone else’s Apple ID into your phone .
Here are a couple of comments I received the other day:
On behalf of a friend they wrote to VK supposedly to help, they had to log out of their iCloud and log in through another one. I did so, then they told me to go to find my iPhone and my phone turned off. I turned it on and it started asking me for my apple id and password. But I didn't have one. It turned out to be scammers who extort money for unlocking! Will tech support be able to unblock it? iPhone 6, receipts available, got it at the store
I have the following problem: they wrote to me on the social network VKontakte on behalf of a friend who allegedly lost her phone and asks me to log into her iCloud through my iPhone. I did this because I trusted this person. After that, my phone turned off and it turned out that the hacker had hacked my friend’s VKontakte account and my iCloud. As a result, my phone is locked and I don’t know the hacker’s password, but mine is reported as incorrect. Please help me please. Where can I go?
Would you believe this message or would you double-check first? Write in the comments!
What happens after this? This person, while on the website icloud.com, sees that your iPhone has appeared on his devices.
After that, it activates Lost Mode and your phone goes into a locked state , in which it will remain until you enter the unlock code (set by the attacker).
At the same time, a message will usually appear on your iPhone screen, prompting you to contact the appropriate email address (similar to something close to Apple, such as this one - [email protected] ).
When you try to send an unlock request, the following response will automatically be sent to your e-mail:
Your device is locked. To receive the unlock code for your device, transfer 1,500 rubles to QIWI Wallet: +7-965-863-5616 After payment, attach a receipt (screenshot), and we will send you the password for your device.
12 hours are allotted for payment. Otherwise, your device will be locked without password recovery.
DO NOT advise you to pay for the “dubious services” of scammers . To get started, it’s better to try the steps described below.
By the way! You don’t have to try to reflash, reset settings, or even put your iPhone into DFU mode. None of these methods will help you bypass iCloud Activation Lock.
Securely remove and deactivate Apple ID
Previously, in order to remove an Apple ID from a phone, technical support from the Apple company required detailed confirmation of the request from the device owner. Now everything has become much easier! From this material you will learn how to permanently remove apple id for an iPhone, iPad or Mac computer.
Apple has introduced a special privacy tool (Data and Privacy), which allows you to edit and download data (such as photos, music, documents, etc.) located in iCloud storage, as well as deactivate / delete your ID.
Reasons for removal
Whether you have privacy concerns or decide to use another digital system, it makes sense to delete your Apple ID if you want to stop using it completely. But keep in mind that the deletion is final - this means that even specialists from Cupertino will not be able to restore your account and data.
Therefore, if you plan to return to the company’s services in the future and not bombard thematic forums with questions like “help restore your Apple ID,” it would be more rational to deactivate your account rather than delete it forever. We recommend that you carefully weigh everything and answer the security questions below.
Are you considering deleting your apple id account as a troubleshooting solution? Is it because you forgot your password or are facing iCloud storage issues? Or are you deleting your Apple ID because you want to attach it to a new email address? In this case, you should not take such radical steps. It’s not difficult to reset your Apple ID password, and it’s also quite easy to fix problems with iCloud. You can also change the email address associated with your Apple ID.
Instructions for deleting data using two-factor authentication
If two-factor authentication is enabled on your devices, you will need the following procedure to reset your Apple ID password on apple.com:
- Launch iforgot.apple.com using any web browser;
- Enter your email from Apple ID and click on “Continue”;
Enter your Apple ID and click continue
- Enter the phone number that is associated with your Apple ID and click on “Continue”;
- You will be asked to select one of the devices associated with this account;
- Select one of the devices associated with your iCloud account. In this case we use an iPhone;
- Tap on “Allow”;
- Enter the passcode of your chosen device;
Enter the passcode of your device
- Select “Done”;
- Enter your new Apple ID password twice;
- Click on “Next” - “Finish”.
Data and services that will be lost when you delete your Apple ID
Is it possible to continue using Mac or iPhone without an ID? Yes, but somewhat in a limited manner. The ID owner will lose access to most services associated with the account, as well as a large amount of data, including tens of gigabytes of photos and music.
It is very important that you understand what you are giving up when you decide to completely remove your Apple ID from your phone.
For starters, you will lose access to the following:
You will also lose your Music and News subscriptions. If newspaper and magazine subscriptions are associated with the old ID, consider them to be gone.
If all of the above does not stop you, then follow the instructions below. We will tell you in detail how to delete your Apple ID account and what you need to do to do this.
What is the purpose of hacking an iPhone?
The reason for hacking Apple ID in 90% of cases is the thirst for profit. Returning to the celebrity story, let us clarify that the hackers did not just post intimate photos online – they sold them for cryptocurrency (bitcoins).
The personal information of an ordinary user is of no interest to scammers - no one needs it, and it will not be possible to sell it. Personal data is valuable only for the owner of the iPhone who has suffered from a hacker attack - it is he who the attackers are trying to “swindle” him out of money, using banal blackmail in the spirit of “pay or we will delete the information FOREVER.”
The purpose of hacking an Apple ID can be more “sublime” - for example, the desire of a jealous guy to find out the truth about his beloved. Such cases, however, are rare - “home hackers”, as a rule, are not competent enough to bypass the “defensive redoubts” of Apple cloud storage.
First Steps: Backup and Shutdown
Make a copy of any data you may need before deleting your Apple ID. Don't forget about your iCloud content and DRM-free purchases. You can also save important documents related to Apple services, such as purchase receipts.
Next, we move on to the Find My iPhone/Find My Mac feature, which allows you to track your lost Apple device and lock it remotely. You must disable this feature.
Sequencing:
On macOS: Go to System Preferences > iCloud and uncheck Find My Mac.
On iOS: Tap Settings > [User Name] > iCloud > Find My iPhone and move the slider to the left.
Now it's time to deauthorize your computer (Mac). You can do this from the iTunes app: Click Account > Authorization > Deauthorize This Computer. (Deauthorization is also important in other cases, such as computer sales or when sending for service.)
It's also important that you sign out of iCloud and apps on all devices. If you skip this step, you may have problems using these gadgets in the future.
On macOS: Go to System Preferences > iCloud and click the Sign Out button at the bottom of the sidebar.
On iOS: Go to Settings > [Username] and tap Sign Out at the bottom of the ID screen that appears.
In both cases, you can save a copy of your iCloud data on your device.
You should also log out of your account from your browsers and clear your cookies.
In the last step, we will show you how to remove a device from your Apple ID. This means deleting devices associated with this identifier. To do this, go to appleid.apple.com.
Next, in the devices section, click on the device icon and then on the “remove” button to disconnect your iPad, iPhone or Mac from your account. This must be done for each linked device.
Is it possible to bypass Activation Lock?
There is a huge amount of information on this topic on the Internet. But only one stands out among them all, and it is quite popular. This method only works on iOS 8 and 9 operating systems. After following the steps in the instructions, you will be able to get some functions of the phone, but unfortunately not all of them and it is recommended to do this in very, very rare cases.
- Currently, the message “Activation iPhone” is displayed on your device.
- We look for the Home button, click on it and go to the Wi-Fi settings menu. In these settings we need to do some steps to remove the DNS that is already installed on your phone
- We need to introduce a new DNS for residents living in North America, the numbers look like this “104.154.51.7”, for residents of the European continent the numbers will be “104.155.28.90”, for people who live in the Asian region “104.155.220.58”, for the rest of the world “ 78.109.17.60.”
- Click on the “Back” button
- Click the “Done” button and “Activation Help”
After completing these steps, you will see a message on your screen that your connection to the server has been successful. After this, many functions of the device will open to you, but unfortunately you will not be able to make calls on it, the Internet and all applications will work, in general, your iPhone has now become an iPad.
How to delete your Apple ID account
Once you have finally decided that you want to remove Apple ID, you need to access the removal tool. You will find it at privacy.apple.com, available on PC, Mac or iPad.
After logging into the portal using your Apple ID, go to the “Data Management” section. Here you can:
- correct your personal information: update and correct any incorrect personal information (including replacing your profile photo);
- delete account: delete your ID;
- deactivate account: temporarily disable it.
Depending on the region you are in, you may not see the "deactivate account" option. However, Apple will eventually make it available to you in the future.
Now click on the “Start” button in the “delete account” section to continue with deactivation.
You will then see a list of programs and applications whose data cannot be recovered later. Read it in its entirety and use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the page to indicate your reason for deleting your old Apple ID. Now click on the Continue button to move to the next step.
Next, you can once again review what you are refusing along with your Apple ID. You will then see the "deletion conditions" page.
After this, Apple will ask you for the contact information of the owner of the gadget. Select the email address or phone number where you want to receive notifications from Apple about your account status.
Save the unique access code you received from Apple!
At this point, the company provides you with a unique access code, which will be useful if you want to remove the deletion request. The code helps customer support verify your identity.
Be sure to write down your access code or keep it in a safe place. Once you've gone through the passcode screen, you'll see a "Delete Account" button. Click on it to complete the account deletion request, and Apple will take over the next steps.
Account deletion may take up to seven days and your account will remain active during this time.
The deactivation process is almost the same as the removal process. To get started, sign in to your ID at privacy.apple.com and then select the "Get Started" option in the "Deactivate My Account" section of the "Manage Your Account" page.
After this, you will see a message that your apple id has been deactivated.
Your account
Let's say that when you created a password, you used a password generator or simply came up with a very complex password that is difficult to remember and forgot to save or write it down.
In this case, you need to go to appleid.apple.com and enter the answer to the security question that you specified when registering your account. Next, you need to follow the assistant who will accompany you in the window that appears.
The next action will be to send a letter containing everything you need to reset your password; it will all look like a link that you will need to follow.
If you do not remember the main email, then you can send this link to an additional one, but only if you specified it during registration.
Are you ready to part with your ID?
Although the Data and Privacy portal began to operate at the request of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Cupertino did not limit itself to the EU zone and decided to make the portal available worldwide for individuals wishing to deactivate or delete their apple id account .
So if you've fallen out of love with iPhones, you can now start the uninstall process quickly and on your own. Just always remember to do the prep work first!
How to unlock Apple ID from your phone
This method is only relevant for those who accurately remember their account password. Then, in order to remove the lock, you must perform the following steps:
- On your iPhone or other iOS mobile device (which has an Apple ID block), open Settings and find the iTunes & App Store section. Click on it and click on the authorization button. If you are using someone else’s device, with a different Apple ID, then first click on the account name and select “Sign Out”.
- Re-authorize if necessary. A notification will appear on the screen that your account has been blocked. Click “Unblock” and indicate a convenient method (via e-mail or answer security questions).
- If you chose the recovery method by email, then a letter with instructions for unlocking will be sent to the “mailbox” specified during registration. To reset your account information, follow the link.
- If you chose the second recovery method, the page will refresh and the system will prompt you to answer the security questions that were specified when creating your Apple ID. Additionally, you may need to enter your email address, last name, first name, and year of birth.
Apple ID is blocked for security reasons. Therefore, if the blocking message appears unexpectedly, and you are sure that you did not try to log into your account, then be sure to change your password.
Reset your AppleID or iCloud password using email or security questions
If two-factor authentication is disabled for your account, you will need to use your email address or security questions to change your password.
Do the following:
- Launch iforgot.apple.com;
- Enter your Apple ID email and click “Continue”;
- Select “I need to reset my password”, then select “Continue” again;
- Select “Reset by email” or the alternative “Answer security questions”;
Choose one of the alternatives
- Click on "Next" and finish (Done).
The procedure for deleting data by email is as follows:
- How to unlink iPhone from iCloud (delete iCloud account)
- You will receive an email from Apple with the subject “Password Reset”;
- Click on “Reset password”;
Click on “Reset Password”
- Enter your new login code twice. Remember that Apple requires a password to be eight or more characters, have lowercase and uppercase letters, and at least one required number;
- After entering, click on “Reset password”;
Enter your new password twice, then select Reset Password
If you chose to delete using security questions:
- You will need to check your birthday, then click on “Continue”;
- Answer two security questions and select “Continue” again;
Answer the suggested security questions
- Enter the new password twice;
- Click on “Reset Password”.
After completing these procedures, you will be able to reset the password from your Apple ID.
How to unlock Apple ID from computer
This method is suitable for cases where your macOS or other device is blocked. Then you can return access to it through your computer browser. Procedure:
- Go to iforgot.apple.com. You can also get to it through the Apple home page.
- Enter your Apple ID login and click Continue. If you don't remember your account information, click on the blue "Find it" link.
- Next, a system message will be displayed saying that the Apple ID is blocked. Click "Unblock" and check the appropriate box.
- After this, follow the link from the letter (will be sent to the email specified during registration) or answer the verification questions.
This completes the account unlocking procedure. If the error appeared after you accidentally entered an incorrect password several times in a row, then it is not necessary to change the authorization data. If you haven’t done anything, then you shouldn’t neglect safety. So be sure to change your password.
Suspicious activity
The most controversial reason why Apple ID is blocked on many devices. Apple specialists monitor the activity of accounts and accounts on all released gadgets, so if they think that the device has changed its owner, they may well restrict access to it. What are the most common “suspicious activities”?
- Frequent changes to account settings. If you become the owner of an Apple device, try to enter the data that you will not change - login, password, mailbox, security questions. All this must remain unchanged.
- Don't try too often to return money for purchased apps. Experts may decide that the device has been stolen and criminals are trying to extract as much money from it as possible.
- The same applies to other payment systems. Use only one plastic card. If you regularly change payment data, this may give a signal that the gadget is changing hands.
- The biggest problems await the owners of “general accounts”. By providing access to the device to third parties, iPhone owners are trying to make money. However, customers often change account information, which again brings us to the first item on the list.
Remember that if your iPhone's Apple ID is blocked, it becomes practically useless, and only the original owner of the gadget can restore access.
Despite the fact that Apple systems are famous for their security, there are precedents for hacking databases and attackers gaining access to several thousand accounts. In this case, the administration decides to block the hacked accounts remotely.
You can argue as much as you like about the legality of such actions, especially if everything was fine with the user’s account at the time of blocking, but the fact remains that you will have to deal with the problem yourself. The main thing is to never pay a “ransom” to attackers for your account data.
Resetting your account information
The device is automatically locked if you enter the password incorrectly several times in a row or try to perform other suspicious actions. To regain access, simply log in to your Apple ID account and confirm your identity. If you do not remember your password or login, follow these steps:
- Go to "iforgot.apple.com" and enter your Apple ID. After this, select “Reset Password”. Next, the system will offer two recovery methods (by email, answer questions). Provide the required information and create a new password. Use it to authorize and work in Activation Lock services.
- If you can't remember your Apple ID, click on the "Find it" link. After this, enter other data that will help restore access (first name, last name, email address that was specified during registration). An email with a link will be sent to the email address you provided during registration. Follow it to reset your old password and create a new one.
If you can't regain control of your locked Apple ID, contact Apple Customer Support. If two-factor authentication is disabled on your account, be sure to set it up and connect additional devices that can be used for recovery.
Recovery
So, you've got a problem: your Apple ID is blocked. What to do? There are some standard tips that a device owner should follow.
- Recovery using mail.
- Use security questions.
- Don't forget to set up an alternative email address.
If none of the options worked out for you, then all you have to do is contact support. And this is where the main problems arise.
- You will have to verify ownership of the device. And for this, only a receipt for purchase from an authorized store is suitable. Therefore, if any company is engaged in the resale of devices imported, for example, from Poland, then their sales receipts are not valid. Only those they received in a Polish store will do.
- Unlocking through technical support can take up to a month. This is due to the fact that such issues are resolved in the central office (English-speaking), and not by local consultants.
- There is a charge for calls to support. And it can take up to half an hour.
However, you have no other options. Either contact a specialist, or your device will remain a lifeless “cobblestone”.
If your Apple ID is blocked or disabled
If you or someone else enters your password, security questions, or other account information incorrectly too many times, your Apple ID is automatically locked for security purposes and you won't be able to access Apple services. You can unlock your Apple ID after verifying your credentials.
If your Apple ID is blocked for security reasons, you may receive one of the following warnings:
- "This Apple ID account has been disabled for security reasons."
- "We were unable to log in because your account has been locked for security reasons."
- "This Apple ID account has been locked for security reasons."
If you use two-factor authentication, you need a trusted device or phone number to unlock your Apple ID. If you have a recovery key, you can use it to regain access to your account.
If you use an Apple ID with security questions, you can go to iforgot.apple.com to unlock your account with your existing password or reset your password. After several unsuccessful unlock attempts, your Apple ID will remain locked and you can try to unlock it again the next day.
Prevention
Now let's figure out how to make sure that your iPhone is not blocked on Apple ID. In fact, it is not that difficult, since the tips are quite standard and familiar to any computer user.
- Set a really strong password for your Apple ID. And if it is quite dangerous for a PC to store it on a piece of paper, then leaving a note at home with the phone password is possible.
- Make it a habit to change your password regularly. Even if it is just one symbol or letter, it will be enough to protect yourself. Just be careful not to overdo it, as this may signal “suspicious activity.”
- Do not save payment data in the device's temporary memory. It is better to take out the card once again and enter its data manually, rather than, in an unfortunate set of circumstances, an attacker gaining access to it.
- Under no circumstances should you let other people use your account.
- Do not change your Apple ID settings based on other people's advice or requests.
Unfortunately, if your Apple ID is locked, only technical support can change this. Do not hesitate to contact them, since they will be able to help you with most problems quickly and immediately, and in case of serious problems, everything will be resolved at the official level and no new errors will arise related to authentication on the device.
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Apple id is deactivated what to do
My apple id is deactivated, what should I do ? The answer to this question is quite simple - you need to try to restore your blocked account. Moreover, this can be done either independently or in a specialized service. The first method is absolutely free, and the second is more reliable. In addition, when contacting a specialist, you will not have to search all sites for untested advice and then apply them in practice.
It is this approach that will simplify the process of restoring your personal page. But if you still decide to perform this procedure yourself, then you should strictly adhere to our recommendations below. First, you should determine a list of the key reasons as a result of which this happens. Although it should be noted that in most cases, deactivation is a consequence of repeatedly entering the wrong password. But in a number of situations it can be provoked by other factors. For example, at the slightest suspicion that an Apple ID has been hacked, this identifier is completely blocked. This is done in order to preserve personal information and personal information. It can also be disabled by providing incorrect answers to one or more security questions. Moreover, if your account is fully or partially suspended, then access to the corresponding services will be automatically blocked. And a notification will appear on the screen notifying the user about the unpleasant event that has occurred. However, there is no need to be too upset, because access to it is restored without hassle and often the first time.
How to unlock the ID?
To do this, you need to use the tips below. The simplest one is to go to a special page, reset your current password in a couple of minutes, and then set a new one, following the system prompts. But this option is suitable only in situations where the owner remembers his current password. Otherwise, he will have to use a complex two-step Apple ID activation procedure. First you will need to provide the correct answers to all key questions. Then receive the key to a trusted device or email. Moreover, it should be noted that a limited number of such attempts are provided per day. And if they are exhausted, the applicant will have to postpone restoring access until the next day. But if this does not allow you to return your personal account, then there is only one way out - contact specialized specialists. However, it is reasonable to use this method only in desperate circumstances. That is, when other methods have not had the desired result, and the owner of the phone no longer has the desire to correspond with technical support. About the benefits of activating your Apple ID in a service center Our Note - 911 service technicians guarantee Apple ID restoration. After all, for this we have the appropriate software and modern equipment. Moreover, we will do it quickly, without hassle or agonizing waiting. The only thing you need to do is prepare all the related information in advance and be prepared for the fact that you will have to answer questions.
Contact support on Apple.com
If all of the above options are not effective, we recommend contacting Apple technical support. Do the following:
- Go to apple.com;
- In the top right click on “Support”;
- On the page that opens, click once on the search bar, and in the list of quick links that opens, click on “Apple ID Account Page”;
Select the option shown
- Then select the “Contact Apple Support” option;
Contact Apple technical support
- Tell the system your location";
- Enter the serial number of your device or select your device from the list of devices;
- From the listed list of options, select “Password Reset”;
- Create a support ticket and wait for a response. Usually a response will be received within a few days.
