This Apple ID Is Not Active – Verification Failed, Fix

BySerhat Kurt Posted on Reading Time: 4 minutes

Some users have said that they are unable to sign into their devices using their Apple IDs and get an error message saying “Verification Failed – This Apple ID is not active” with an OK button under it, as you can see in the screenshot below. Here are some of the characteristics of the problem:

  • This problem may occur when you are trying to sign in or sign out of iCloud on iPhone, iPad or Mac.
  • This includes web services also. For example, if you are using the iforgot.apple.com online service to reset your password, you may run into this issue.
  • When you try to use the App store, you won’t be able to download apps.
  • You may also get a very similar error message saying, “This person is not active.” This is again the same problem. The steps below can be used for this error too. Both error messages are included in the screenshots below:
This Apple ID is not active error message screenshot

Until you fix this, you won’t be able to access Apple services that require a valid, verified Apple ID. In this article, I explain what you can do to get your Apple ID working again.

See also: Your Apple ID Disabled Error, Fix

Check if you can manage your Apple ID on the web

This will help us rule out if the root of the problem is your device or not. Apple offers a web-based service where you can manage your Apple ID. If you can log in there, this may indicate that the problem is not your Apple ID but something else. Follow these steps:

  1. Open a web browser. Go to appleid.apple.com.
  2. Click Sign In.
  3. Enter your Apple ID and password.
  4. Can you sign in? If so, after signing in, review your information to see if everything is accurate.
  5. If you are unable to sign in, move to the next step.

Restart your device

Restart the device which is giving you this problem. Restarting is simple but could fix your problem; this may be a temporary software-related issue, and restarting may fix it. After restarting your iPhone, iPad or Mac, try to sign in to your device again.

Check System Status

There may be no problem on your end. It is possible that Apple services are having issues. You can easily check Apple System Status. Follow these steps:

  1. Open a web browser and visit https://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/.
  2. You will see all of the services run by Apple.
  3. Find Apple ID.
  4. If you see a green dot next to Apple ID, then there is no problem. If Apple’s Apple ID servers are not running, you will see a notification. This notification will include what the problem is and possibly an estimated time for it to be fixed.
  5. If Apple ID servers are down, there is nothing for you to do. Just wait for Apple to address it.
  6. You can periodically check this System Status page to learn when the issue has been fixed. Then you can try to sign in or out using your Apple ID.
Apple System Status page screen

Contact Apple Support

If you are still having this issue, now contact Apple Support. It is possible that your Apple ID has been deactivated by Apple. If this is the case, only Apple can fix your Apple ID problem. Here is how you can get Apple ID support. Follow these steps:

  1. Open a web browser and visit: https://getsupport.apple.com.
  2. Click Choose a Product.
  3. Under Apps & Services, click Apple ID.
  4. Under What’s going on?, select Other Apple ID Topics.
  5. Scroll down, and you will see a text field under Or, tell us in your own words.
  6. In the field, type this Apple ID is not active.
  7. You will see the results. Select the first one saying “The Apple ID is not active” alert.
  8. This screen will say See your support options. Click Continue.
  9. The next screen will show the best support option that is available to you. For me, it is showing the Call option.
  10. Click Call, and then enter your details, name, email and phone number for Apple to contact you. You can schedule a call in the near future or ask to be called as soon as possible, usually within minutes depending on your availability.
  11. When Apple calls, explain your issue. Only Apple can help you.

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Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director specializing in Apple solutions for small and medium-sized educational institutions. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. He is a former faculty member. Here is his LinkedIn profile and Google Scholar profile. Email Serhat Kurt.

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