How To Fix “Your Account Has Been Disabled in the App Store and iTunes” Error

Do you find that you keep getting prompted with an error message “Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes”?  

 

 

A lot of Apple users have been storming the Apple Support Communities forums reporting they have experienced the same issue. Others stated that they haven’t used their account for a long time. Some of them have this issue because of payment disputes. Some just don’t know what caused it.

In part of Apple security procedures and restrictions, the issue here can be diagnosed and fixed and that is the reasoning behind why we have written this guide. In this guide, we are gonna help you understand the various factors and provide the necessary fixes to fix “Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes” error that you keep getting.  

Let’s dive right in.

 

 

How To Fix “Your Account Has Been Disabled in the App Store and iTunes”: 7 Ways

 

1. Check Your Recent Payment Transactions.

Before anything else, make sure that your account is not involved in any payment disputes lately. If you dispute a charge for an app directly with your bank or credit card company, Apple will automatically disable your account. They do this once they receive a failed payment notification from your bank or credit card company.

To avoid this, you will need to dispute a charge for an app through Apple Support instead. You can request a refund for a purchase that you don’t recognize, but you must pay for it first. To stop unwanted charges, you can also cancel a subscription if you don’t want it anymore.

 

 

However, keep in mind that refund requests must be in the refund period and refunds are not always guaranteed as stated by Apple. 

But if ever you end up having a disabled account due to this reason, Apple support may restore it right away. We have provided the steps on how to contact Apple’s support below under Method 6.

 

You can check the next step if your account does not have any payment transaction issues.

 

 

2. Do Not Enter the Wrong Password Too Many Times.

It is normal for any system to have an account lock if a series of failed attempts to login occurs. This security feature can protect your account from any “brute force” attack. That means a hacker cannot continuously try numerous possible passwords until they break-in.

In the case of Apple, your account will be locked for 24 hours. Once, the time has expired, you can try to login again using the correct password. if you are not sure, try to jump onto the Apple’s website > Click Shopping Bag icon (top right) > Account > Sign In to check if your current password is the correct one or not. 

 

3. Reset Your Password.

Password recovery is always there to save the day. But Apple makes sure that the password will be given to the rightful owner. You will be going to a verification process before they reset your password. But you need to remember, your account might be still locked. Be sure to wait 24 hours before doing this process.  Here’s how you can reset your password:

1. Go to the Apple forgot password page using your browser. Enter your Apple ID, and click Continue.  

 

⚠️ Note

The verification steps under here may vary as Apple always tries to make this process more secure. So don’t be alarmed if the below steps seem different from what is shown on the instructions screen. In such a case, follow the onscreen case in order to reset the password one way or another.

 

2. Next, you will have to confirm your phone number. Once you’ve done that simply choose the I need to reset my password option and click Continue.
3. Choose any of the recovery options Get an email.
4. Open the email you received from Apple regarding your password recovery. In the email, find and click the Reset Now button.
5. Once you are in the password recovery page, key in your new password in the box provided. You will need to key the same password on the second box for confirmation.
6. Lastly, click the Reset Password button.

 

If you select Answer Security Question, it will ask you for your birthday and two more security questions. If you pass the verification process, the same process will be given starting at Step 6 (above). After that, be sure to remember your new password to avoid the same situation from happening again.

 

Be sure to update the password on all your Apple devices as well. Here’s how you do it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Sign Out from iCloud iTunes & App Store.
3. Sign In to your account using the new password. Learn more about what to do after the password reset.

But what if you do not have the information required for a password reset? Don’t worry, there are still more ways to recover your account below. 

 

 

4. Reset Your Password Using a Trusted Device.

According to Apple Support, if you use two-factor authentication, you need a trusted device to recover your account. That means that if your iOS device has been added as a trusted device, you may be able to change the password without verification.

Here’s how you do it:

If you are using iPhone, iPad or iTouch  

1. Tap Settings, then tap [your device name], and then Password & Security.
2. Tap Change Password.

 

3. Enter your current password or device passcode that you set up before. 
4. Enter a new password and confirm the new password. 
5. Tap Change or Change Password.
6. Make sure you sign out your account and sign in with your new Apple ID password. Learn more about what to do after the password reset.

 

If you are using Mac

1. Go to the Apple menu, then System Preferences, and then click iCloud.
2. Choose Account Details. 
3. If you’re asked to enter your Apple ID password, click Forgot Apple ID or password and follow the onscreen instructions.
4. Click Security, then Reset Password. Before you can reset your Apple ID password, you’ll be required to enter the password used to unlock your Mac.
5. Make sure you sign out your account and sign in with your new Apple ID password. Learn more about what to do after the password reset.

If you updated your Apple ID from two-step verification to two-factor authentication in iOS 11 and later, or macOS High Sierra and later, you may have generated a recovery key. You can also use the key to regain access to your account.

If you cannot access any of your trusted devices, you can still reset your Apple ID password on a friend or family member’s iPhone, iPad, or iPod. We will discuss that in the next step.

 

 

5. Use the Apple Support App to Reset Your Password.

The Apple Support app can be downloaded on your friend or family member’s iPhone, iPad or iPod to recover your account. You can download it from the App Store and have it installed. After that, you use the application to reset your Apple ID password.

 

 

Of course, there is a verification process to confirm that you are the account owner. According to Apple Support, here’s how you can do it:

1. Find and tap the Get Support tab at the bottom of the screen.
2. Scroll down and tap Apple ID.
3. Find and tap Forgot Apple ID Password, then tap Get Started.
4. Find and tap A different Apple ID.
5. Enter the Apple ID that you need to reset the password for.
6. Tap Next, then follow the steps on your screen until you receive confirmation that your Apple ID password is changed.
7. Make sure you sign out your account and sign in with your new Apple ID password. Learn more about what to do after the password reset.

The steps above can provide you the correct password to recover your account. But If you are still unable to recover your account, you may need to do the next step.

 

 

6. Contact Apple Support

To request support, first, you need to check the availability of support in your area. If you are covered, you can call them directly and explain the troubleshooting steps you have done prior to the call. That would also help them isolate the problem and resolve the issue much faster.

You can also request them to call you or even request a later schedule to call you.  Make sure that you provide as much information as you can about your account for the verification process. This is also another way to protect your account and make sure you are the owner. 

Here are the steps to get in touch with Apple’s Support (the steps may vary depending on your region):

1. Go ahead jump onto this page: https://getsupport.apple.com/ This will take you to your region’s Apple support page (make sure you’re in the right region!) Then click on Music, Apps & Services.

 

2. Now click on the iTunes Store.

3. Then click on Account Management.

 

4. Click on the “Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes” alert option.

5. Lastly, you may Schedule a Call directly with an Apple representative who will be able to get it fixed from their end. The service is free so there is no harm in asking for support in this case as it could be a mistake from Apple’s end.

 

In addition, if this issue is related to your lost or stolen devices, they can help you find your device. Learn more about how to find your iPhone, iPad or iPod and Mac.

But sadly, not all users are covered by Apple Support toll numbers. If you are one of these users, you can check the next step on how to recover your account.

 

 

7. Recover Your Account Through the Request Form.

Apple support is available to most countries but not all of them. There is still a way to recover your Apple ID if you cannot call Apple support directly but you will have to wait for the account recovery period. It usually takes several days or more before Apple can recover the account for you. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to the Apple ID page.

2. Choose Forgot Apple ID or password.
3. Provide as much information as you can about your account.
4. Wait for the reply email from Apple. You’ll get an email with a confirmation of your request and the date and time of when you can expect to regain access.

During the waiting period, you can check the status of your request anytime using your Apple ID. But don’t worry, if you can remember your password and can sign-in successfully, the waiting period cancels automatically and you can use your Apple ID immediately. However, if you still cannot, refer to the steps below:

1. When the waiting period is over, Apple sends you a text or automated phone call with instructions to regain access to your account.
2. Follow the instructions immediately to regain access to your Apple ID.
3. Make sure you sign out your account and sign in with your new Apple ID password. Learn more about what to do after the password reset.

This wraps up our guide. We hope this has resolved the issue of your account. If you have other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

 

 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂