How do I recover an iPhone after an update when the Apple ID and email password are forgotten?
Answer
You must recover the Apple Account (Apple ID) through Apple’s official forgot Apple ID or password flow on another device or computer. Without that account, the locked iPhone cannot be fully opened. If the email inbox for that Apple ID is also inaccessible, use Apple Account recovery and any other trusted devices or recovery contacts already set up.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Erasing the iPhone will not bypass Activation Lock if the same forgotten Apple ID still protects the device.
- Stop if a site or caller asks you to pay to unlock an Apple ID or install unknown software.
Follow these steps
List possible Apple ID emails
Write down every email the owner has used for App Store purchases, iCloud, old iPhones, or Apple receipt messages. Check paper statements, computer browser password managers, and other family devices for saved Apple ID hints.
You should see: You have one or more candidate Apple ID emails to try in Apple’s recovery flow.
Start official Forgot Apple ID or password recovery
On another trusted device or computer, open iforgot.apple.com (or Apple’s Forgot Apple ID or password page). Enter a candidate email or phone number and follow Apple’s identity checks. Prefer recovery options that do not require opening the locked iPhone’s email app.
You should see: Apple accepts a matching account and offers reset or recovery steps, or shows that more information is needed.
Use trusted devices or recovery contacts if available
If another Apple device is still signed into the same Apple Account, use it to reset the password. If a recovery contact or account recovery was previously set up, follow those Apple prompts instead of waiting only on email access.
You should see: A password reset completes without needing the forgotten email inbox on the locked phone.
Unlock the iPhone only after account access is restored
When the Apple ID password is reset, unlock or sign in on the iPhone with that account. If the phone was erased during troubleshooting, you may still need the same Apple ID because of Activation Lock.
You should see: The iPhone accepts the recovered Apple Account and becomes usable again.
If no email or trusted device works, continue Apple Account recovery
Choose Apple Account recovery when prompted and provide the requested details. Note the wait time Apple displays. Avoid third-party unlock tools; they cannot remove Apple’s account protection.
You should see: Apple starts an official recovery request with a clear status or wait estimate.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Screens such as Forgot Apple ID or password?, Activation Lock, or a sign-in prompt after the update, plus any Apple Account recovery timeline Apple shows.
Before you change anything: Try to recall possible Apple ID emails used for App Store, iCloud, or old receipts. Use only Apple’s official iforgot.apple.com or Settings recovery links. Do not erase the iPhone until you understand Activation Lock may still require the same Apple ID afterward. Never share passwords or one-time codes with unexpected callers.