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Recovering locked Apple ID with no email access or date of birth

Hello Apple Support,


My Apple Account (Apple ID) has been locked, and I no longer have access to the email address associated with the account. I also do not remember the date of birth registered on the account, so I cannot complete the password reset process.


I have had this iPhone in my possession for approximately four years and I am the legitimate owner/user of the device.


I would also like to mention that I am located in Iran, where we are required to use a VPN to access certain online services.


At the time of purchase, the shopkeeper created the Apple ID for me on the device but did not provide me with the account details or credentials. I no longer have access to the seller, so I am unable to contact them for assistance. However, I still have the original phone box and the sales invoice.


I would like to recover access to my Apple Account. I can provide the iPhone's serial number, IMEI, purchase receipt, phone box, and any other information you require to verify ownership.


Could you please tell me what documents or information you need from me to verify my identity and recover the account?


Thank you.


[Edited by Moderator]

1 reply

This is a user to user forum. We are not Apple, only other users like yourself. Typically you would need to speak with somebody from Apple to see if they can provide you with a way to convince them that you are the account owner. However, Apple offers no support in Iran.


Ownership of an account and ownership of a device and two different things. Refer to How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support for information about freeing up a device for use with a different account. Unless you can enter the required information when prompted from the device, you cannot demonstrate ownership that way. The other way is to provide Apple with a copy of the sales receipt from the Apple Store where it was purchased. Since you say you bought it from a vendor in Iran that is likely not to be regarded as valid. Apple has no stores in Iran.


Apple outlines the various reasons for an account to be locked in the article If your Apple Account is locked, not active, or disabled - Apple Support

The last reason dealing with violation of terms of use is almost always a permanent locking of an account. You can read possible reasons here Legal - iCloud - Apple and Legal - Apple Media Services - Apple