Why is My Apple ID Not Unlocking My iPhone/iPad?
Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by Joanna LakeActivating a new iPhone/iPad requires user signing in to an Apple ID. Since then, they will need to enter the password to use Apple Store & normal services such as erase the device and turn off Find My feature, etc.
And another apple id cannot be used to unlock this iPhone/iPad. This activation lock tries to prevent other people from erasing the device without your permission.
To be sure, it would be quite troublesome if you forgot the password or bought an old device with another Apple ID. In this article, you get two solutions to fix Apple ID that can't be used to unlock this iPhone/iPad.
#1Solution 1. Fix Apple ID Cannot be Used to Unlock this iPhone/iPad by Resetting Password of Your Apple ID
Tip 1. Reset Your Password on Your Device
Reset your password with device’s passcode
When you find the password is wrong, tap Forgot Password to reset it, enter the passcode of the device, then it will allow you to set a new passcode of your Apple ID.
Reset your passcode with trusted contact’s digit
If you don’t remember the passcode, just touch Forget the Passcode, and it will ask you to offer the trusted phone number. Next, follow the instructions and you can change your Apple ID password.
Note: How to add a recovery contact?
Go to Settings app, tap your name ⟶ Password & Security, touch Edit on the right of TRUSTED PHONE NUMBERS. Touch Add a trusted phone number, enter the passcode and you can enter the phone number in the text bar.
Tip 2. Reset the Password on Your friend’s device
Reset the Password with Apple Support App
Tap an iPhone/iPad ⟶ Passwords & Security ⟶ Reset Apple ID password ⟶ Get Started.
Next, touch a different Apple ID, hit the Continue button, enter your Apple ID and press Next on the top right.
Then go through the few instructions on the screen and you will change your Apple ID.
Reset the Password with Find My App
If the Apple Support app is not compatible with their device, open Find My app, clear the existing Apple ID and hit Forget Apple ID or Password. Enter your Apple ID and tap Next, then you will need to go through some confirmations to check your identity.
If the device was brought from another user who forgot to erase the device, you can try to contact them first. Don’t worry if the person has lost contact, you can still lock the device with the iPhone unlocker.
Note: one thing you need to know is that: the removing process will erase all the data on the device. If you want to protect the data, you can restore the data from the device with iOS Data Recovery first.
Step 1: Open the program, click Unlock Apple ID ⟶ Start Remove.
Step 2: Make sure screen lock and two factor authentication is enabled, tap the Yes button three times and download the firmware. When it finishes, choose the Start Remove button.
After a few seconds, the Apple ID will be removed. Awake your iPhone/iPad then you will see the Hello screen, now you can set up this device with your Apple ID.
Summary
If you are encountering an Apple ID that can't be used to unlock this iPhone/iPad, one of the best solutions is to use an iOS unlocker to remove the Apple ID.
Plus, if you forget the password and have some ways to confirm your identity, you can also reset your Apple ID password.
After fixing your iPhone, you will be able to unlock your iPhone/iPad with your Apple ID.