Apple users getting locked out of their accounts: Here's why
What's the story
Apple users were left baffled on Friday evening, when an unexpected glitch began locking them out of their Apple IDs. The issue was first reported around 8:00pm ET (5:30am IST, April 27) and it has quickly gained attention on various social media platforms. Affected users are finding themselves logged out of their Apple IDs across multiple devices, necessitating a password reset to regain access.
Information
Apple's system status page does not show any ongoing issues
Despite the growing number of user reports, Apple's System Status webpage does not indicate any ongoing service disruptions. This discrepancy has led to speculation about a hidden issue within Apple's system. The cause behind this unexpected lockout remains unknown.
Uncertain link
Lockout issue might be connected to password reset attacks
It remains uncertain whether the Apple ID lockout issue is connected to the ongoing password reset attacks that have been observed for several weeks. Users attempting to log back in with their original Apple ID password found themselves locked out, forcing them to reset their passwords. The issue has proven particularly inconvenient for those with Stolen Device Protection enabled, especially if they're away from a trusted location.
Password reset
Resetting Apple ID password also resets app-specific passwords
The process of resetting the Apple ID password has introduced another challenge for users. All app-specific passwords previously established via iCloud are also reset during this process. This unexpected glitch has caused significant inconvenience to users, adding to the complexity of the situation. Apple has yet to provide information about this issue and provide updates.