Fix: ‘Your Account Has Been Disabled in the App Store and iTunes’ Error on iPhone
The App Store error “Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes” indicates that your Apple ID has been temporarily or, in rare cases, permanently disabled by Apple. This issue usually happens when you try to download an app, update your iPhone’s software, or make a purchase in the App Store using your Apple ID.
This error often appears due to several reasons, such as using a different Apple ID, multiple failed login attempts, billing or payment issues, security policy violations, or unpaid subscriptions or dues. Now that you know what triggers this error, let’s go through the solutions step by step.
1. Checking for Mismatched Apple ID and Re-downloading Apps
This error can often appear if some apps on your device were downloaded using a different (and possibly disabled) Apple ID while others are linked to your active Apple ID. This commonly happens if:
- You used two different Apple IDs on the same phone,
or - You purchased a second-hand iPhone still tied to the previous owner’s account.
Apps purchased with a disabled Apple ID cannot be updated unless you log back in with the original account used to download them. While your current Apple ID can still download new apps, it cannot update older apps associated with the disabled account.
If the Apple ID signed in to the App Store does not match the one in your iPhone’s Settings, it can trigger this error. Deleting and reinstalling those apps using your active Apple ID removes their dependency on the disabled account.
How to Check if Your Apple IDs Match:
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Check the email address listed there.
- Open the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Ensure the email address matches the one in Settings.
- If they match: Your account may be locked for billing or security reasons. Contact Apple Support to re-enable it.
- If they don’t match: The App Store is using a different (likely disabled) Apple ID.
How to Sign Out of the Apple ID in the App Store:
- Go to Settings > Your Name > Media & Purchases.
- Tap Sign Out.
- Sign back in using your active Apple ID.
Delete and Re-download Problematic Apps
Once you’ve signed in with the correct Apple ID, delete all problematic apps and re-download them from the App Store. This ensures they are now linked to your active Apple ID.
Optional: If you forgot your Apple ID password, visit iforgot.apple.com to reset it.
2. Update Your Payment Method
Your account may also be disabled if there’s a problem with your payment method. Apple can temporarily lock accounts if:
- Your card has expired.
- You have insufficient funds.
- There’s an unresolved Apple Card or subscription billing issue.
Switching to a valid, active payment method (for example, a different Visa or Mastercard) can restore account access.
- Go to Settings > Your Name > Payment & Shipping.
- Tap Edit.
- Remove the outdated card information.
- Tap Add Payment Method to enter new details.
Note: Ensure the billing address matches the one registered with your bank.
3. Restarting Your Wi-Fi Router
A simple router restart can also help. If your internet connection is unstable, your IP address has expired, or Apple’s servers have temporarily blocked your IP due to repeated failed login attempts, restarting your router may fix the issue.
In some cases, outdated router firmware or connectivity issues can prevent a secure connection with Apple’s servers. Restarting the router gives you a fresh IP address and a new connection attempt.
- Turn off your router and wait for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Plug it back in and wait 2–3 minutes for it to fully restart.
- Reconnect your device to Wi-Fi and try logging back into your account.
Note: This is a workaround based on community reports. If the issue persists, the problem is likely unrelated to your network.
If none of these solutions work, contact Apple Support directly. Explain the issue in detail, and they can guide you on restoring access to your account.
