When App Store password reset is not working, walk through checks for Apple ID, codes, network, and recovery to get back into the store.
If you tap Forgot Password in the App Store and nothing works, the problem feels bigger than it is. You need your Apple ID to download apps, manage subscriptions, and restore past purchases, so a blocked reset can disrupt everyday tasks.
The steps below follow current Apple Account reset flows on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and the web, so you can stick to methods Apple expects.
Why App Store Password Reset Not Working Happens
When App Store Password Reset Not Working keeps appearing, the cause usually falls into a few simple groups.
Apple now uses the term Apple Account instead of Apple ID, but the sign in details stay the same. That single Apple Account ties together the App Store, iCloud, and device settings, so any mismatch or missing detail can block a reset.
Most cases of App Store password reset trouble fall into these groups:
- Wrong Apple ID — You try to reset the password for an email that is not tied to the App Store on this device.
- Unreachable contact — You no longer have the phone number or email that receives reset codes.
- Two factor friction — A trusted device is offline, out of date, or not signed in, so it never receives prompts or codes.
- Security lock — Too many failed attempts lead to a temporary lock or account recovery path.
- Technical glitch — Network filters, VPNs, date or time errors, and temporary Apple service issues block the reset call.
Once you match your situation to one of these cases, use the next sections to clear simple causes before you rely on slower recovery paths.
Fix App Store Password Reset Problems Step By Step
The fastest way to clear most App Store password reset problems is to run through a short, ordered checklist. Start with quick basics, then move to deeper account checks only if needed.
- Restart Your Device — Turn your iPhone, iPad, or Mac off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on to clear small glitches.
- Check Apple Account Sign In — On iOS or iPadOS, open Settings, tap your name, and check that the Apple Account shown matches the one you are resetting.
- Use Settings Instead Of Only App Store — On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > your name > Sign In & Security > Change Password and follow the prompts instead of starting only inside the App Store.
- Try The Web Reset Page — Visit iforgot.apple.com in a browser, enter your Apple Account email or phone number, and follow the reset steps there.
- Test Another Network — Switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi or the other way around, or disable VPN and ad blocking apps for a moment, then try the reset again.
- Update Software — On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > General > Software Update and install pending updates so reset screens match current Apple flows.
- Wait After A Lock Message — If you see a message about an account lock, wait for the time shown, then follow the link or on screen steps before trying again.
If one of these steps works, set a new password and sign in. If not, move on to the identity and code checks below.
Confirm Your Apple Id And Reset Method
Many App Store reset failures come from a simple mismatch between the Apple Account on the device and the one that holds your App Store purchases. That mismatch creates a loop where you keep resetting a password that never lets you back into the store.
On iPhone or iPad, use these checks inside Settings rather than only tapping prompts inside the App Store itself:
- Check Signed In Apple Account — Open Settings, tap your name, and confirm the email or phone number at the top matches the account you expect.
- Review Media And Purchases — In Settings, tap your name, then tap Media & Purchases and see which Apple Account is in use there.
- Match Devices — Scroll to see which devices appear under your Apple Account and confirm that the current phone or tablet appears in that list.
- Confirm Two Factor Devices — Make sure at least one trusted device with the same Apple Account is powered on, updated, and connected so it can receive prompts.
If your App Store shows a different Apple Account than Settings, sign out from Media & Purchases, sign in again with the correct details, then repeat the reset steps. When the account in Settings matches the App Store, the reset flow is more likely to finish cleanly.
Fix App Store Password Reset Problems Step By Step
Fix Code, Link, And Two Factor Errors
Sometimes the reset page sends a code or link, but it never arrives, expires, or triggers an error. A two factor prompt may also fail even when you enter the code quickly.
Common symptoms and fixes look like this:
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Reset email never arrives | Wrong email or spam filter | Check the junk folder and confirm the Apple Account email in Settings |
| SMS code delayed or missing | Poor signal or blocked sender | Move to better coverage, disable spam filters, and request the code again |
| Code marked as incorrect | Expired or re used code | Request a fresh code and enter it right away on the same device |
| Cannot verify identity message | Device or data does not match records | Use a trusted device already signed in, or move to account recovery |
On iPhone or iPad, make sure the date, time, and region are set to update automatically in Settings > General > Date & Time. A wrong time setting can cause two factor codes to fail even when you enter them correctly.
If codes keep failing across devices, your Apple Account details may no longer match what Apple has on file. In that case, the system pushes you toward account recovery, which proves identity in a different way and can take longer than a normal reset.
Check Device, Network, And System Status
Sometimes an App Store password reset fails even when your credentials are correct, simply because the device or network blocks the call to Apple servers. A quick round of device checks often clears that roadblock.
- Verify Network Quality — Turn Airplane Mode on and off, switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, and try a different network if you can.
- Turn Off VPN And Filters — Disable VPN, content filters, and strict ad blocking tools while you run the reset steps, then turn them back on later.
- Check Available Storage — Open Settings > General > Storage and free some space if the device is nearly full, since low storage can cause odd sign in behaviour.
- Review System Status — In a browser, open the Apple system status page for your region and confirm that Apple Account and App Store services do not show current issues.
- Sign Out And In Again — On your device, sign out of the App Store and your Apple Account where allowed, restart, then sign back in with the same details.
If a system status page shows a current Apple Account issue, wait until that status returns to normal before you try again, or your extra attempts may only add more failed entries.
Use Account Recovery And Talk To Apple
When no reset link works and every code fails, App Store Password Reset Not Working usually points to a deeper identity check. At that stage Apple moves you to account recovery, which uses extra contact details to confirm who owns the account.
Account recovery starts at iforgot.apple.com or from Settings when the device offers that route. You may need to turn off other devices that use the same Apple Account, wait for a message that gives a date for access, and respond to a call or text when the waiting period ends.
Keep an eye on the email or phone number you used for the request, and follow every instruction exactly. If you enter new details such as a credit card only for identity checks, Apple sends an authorisation request to the card issuer, so be ready for that call or alert too.
If you reach the end of the account recovery window and still cannot sign in, contact Apple through the official help pages and explain which steps you already tried. Bring your device, a photo ID where required, and any proof of purchase for the hardware so the Apple team can confirm ownership.
Prevent Repeat App Store Password Reset Issues
Once you regain access, a few small changes make a repeat of this problem less likely. Treat your Apple Account as the central login for your devices, with clean records and more than one way to confirm identity.
- Update Contact Details — In Apple Account settings, keep primary and rescue emails and phone numbers current so reset messages reach you.
- Add A Recovery Contact — Set up a trusted person as a recovery contact so they can help if you lose access to your own devices.
- Use Strong, Memorable Passwords — Pick a password that meets Apple rules yet follows a pattern you can recall, and store it in a secure password manager.
- Keep Devices Updated — Install iOS, iPadOS, and macOS updates so App Store reset screens and prompts stay in sync with Apple servers.
With those steps in place, later App Store password reset requests should run smoothly. When every trusted device, email, and phone number is current, the reset tools have enough paths to prove that you are the right person and let you back into the store quickly.