If you encounter the error message stating ‘Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes’ when trying to download, update, or purchase an app, it indicates an issue with your Apple account that requires attention.
When your Apple ID is not functioning, and your iTunes has been disabled, it restricts you from utilizing various services, including downloading, updating, or purchasing applications, renting movies, and using Apple Pay.
Additionally, access to numerous applications and Apple services like iCloud, Apple Music, iTunes, FaceTime, among others, becomes unavailable. If your Apple account is disabled, the following guide is provided to assist you in fixing or restoring your account.
Why Your Apple ID Is Disabled in iTunes and the App Store?
There are several potential reasons for the disablement of your Apple ID:
- Repeatedly entering an incorrect Apple ID and password.
- Prolonged inactivity or non-usage of your Apple account.
- Unsettled payments, billing issues, or unpaid orders on iTunes, App Store, or other services.
- Security concerns flagged by Apple, indicating a potential compromise or hacking attempt on your account.
- Issues with your credit card, such as unauthorized charges or payment problems.
How to fix it?
Fortunately, there are several methods to recover your disabled iTunes and App Store account. Here are steps you can take to fix or restore your account:
- Wait for 24 Hours:
- If your account is disabled due to multiple incorrect login attempts, wait for 24 hours. After this period, your iTunes account and other services should be re-enabled.
- Use iforgot.apple.com:
- Visit https://iforgot.apple.com/ to initiate account recovery.
- Enter your Apple ID and click on ‘Continue.’
- Answer the verification questions to confirm ownership of the Apple ID. You may need to provide your email and mobile number for the verification process.
- Follow the instructions provided after successful verification.
By following these steps, you can either wait for the automatic re-enablement of your account or proactively use the account recovery feature on iforgot.apple.com to restore access to your iTunes and App Store account.
Reset the Apple ID Password
If the previous method proves unsuccessful, you can try resetting your Apple ID password, although this process may seem intricate. By carefully following the provided instructions from Apple, you can effectively reset your Apple ID password.
Follow these steps:
- Ensure Trusted Devices and Authorized Phone Number:
- Use trusted devices and the authorized phone number linked to your Apple ID for the password reset.
- Safeguard your new Apple ID details to prevent unauthorized access.
- Reset Password on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac:
- Depending on whether two-factor authentication is enabled or you are using a recovery key, follow the specific steps.
- For devices with two-factor authentication:
- On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Your name > iTunes & App Store > Sign Out. Sign in again using the new Apple ID password.
- On Mac, sign out from App Store and iTunes, then sign in again using the new password.
Once you’ve successfully reset your password, sign out from all devices and sign in again using the updated Apple ID password to ensure seamless access.
Checking the restriction passcode
Another potential cause for this issue could be the activation of restrictions on your iPhone, hindering in-app purchases. If in-app purchases are disabled, Apple will restrict your ability to make payments within applications. To verify if restrictions are enabled, follow these steps:
On your iPhone:
- Navigate to Settings > General > Restrictions.
- Enter your restriction passcode if prompted.
Contact Apple Support For Help
If none of the provided solutions prove effective, your final recourse is to reach out to Apple. When confronted with the disabled iTunes message, refrain from attempting multiple login attempts or altering any account details. Instead, seek assistance from Apple Support to address the issue.
Here’s how you can contact Apple Support:
- Open Apple Support in your web browser.
- Select ‘Apple ID.’
- Opt for ‘Disabled Apple ID.’
- Choose to set up a call with the support team or communicate your issue through Live chat and email, providing a detailed explanation of the problem.
Contact the iTunes support directly
Follow these steps to contact Apple Support:
- Open https://support.apple.com/choose-country-region/itunes.
- Choose your current region on the iTunes support page to redirect to your desired Support page.
- Scroll down and select ‘Contact Apple Support.’
- Click on ‘iTunes Store: Purchasing music, movies, apps, and books.’
- Choose ‘Account Management.’
- Select ‘Account disabled in the App Store and iTunes Store alert.’
- Schedule a call with Apple iTunes Support.
If you’ve encountered issues with your Apple ID being disabled on your iPhone or other Apple devices, share your experiences and challenges with us. Let us know how troublesome this problem was for you. If you have any further questions regarding this issue, feel free to ask in the comment section below.
