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bessyseven
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

can't log into icloud on new windows laptop using existing apple ID

I've just bought a new windows laptop and it's not recognising my apple id when I try to log into icloud.


I have an iPhone X, an iPad Air 2 and I currently use my apple id on these with no problem.


I've also just set up iTunes on my new laptop using my Apple ID and password with no problem.


I always assumed that my Apple ID was the same as my iCloud ID. Is this correct?


I thought about re-setting my Apple ID password but I'd then have to change it on all my other devices which seems wrong if they're currently working.

Posted on Dec 1, 2019 7:02 AM

5 replies

Eric Root
User level: Level 10 (687,895 points)

Dec 1, 2019 7:23 AM in response to bessyseven

Your Apple ID can be used to log into iCloud.


You may need to enable 2 Factor Authentication on your Apple ID and create an app specific password to use. If your account won’t allow 2 Factor Authentication, try 2 step verification.


Apple ID -Two-factor authentication 


Two Factor Authentification availability


Apple ID - Using app-specific passwords


Apple ID - Two Step Verification App Specific Passwords


Apple ID - Two Step Verifications FAQ

Eric Root
User level: Level 10 (687,895 points)

Dec 1, 2019 8:30 AM in response to bessyseven

Have you tried using an app specific password? See the links I posted above for how to create/use an app specific password.

Eric Root
User level: Level 10 (687,895 points)

Dec 1, 2019 10:32 AM in response to bessyseven

You should be able to create an app specific password without being signed into iCloud. Then when you try to sign into iCloud, try using the app specific password in place of your Apple ID password.

bessyseven Author
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Dec 1, 2019 8:18 AM in response to Eric Root

I have two step authentication already (the six digit code sent to my mobile). Strangely, I don't get this when I try to log on to icloud using my new laptop, it just says that my credentials are wrong.

bessyseven Author
User level: Level 1 (8 points)

Dec 1, 2019 10:25 AM in response to Eric Root

To use App specific passwords, I believe I need to sign into my iCloud account, which is what I'm unable to do at the moment (even though I'm currently signed into iTunes using the same credentials that iCloud rejects).

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/250905652