[5 Fixes] Apple ID Verification Failed for an Unknown Error

You may receive an error message saying, verification Failed, an unknown error occurred when you are logging into iCloud, iTunes, etc. This guide will provides you with effective solutions to fix the issue.

Demi

By Demi / Updated on April 17, 2024

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Verification failed

When I am trying to enter my Apple ID and password, I received the error - verification failed, an unknown error occurred. How do I overcome this error?

- Question from Apple Community

An Apple ID enables you to enjoy outstanding Apple services on different devices. While sometimes, you may get errors. When you are utilizing any service that requires an Apple ID, you may receive the error message, saying verification failed, an unknown error occurred.

Verification Failed Unknown Error

It is disappointing when you encounter such verification error message. If you’re seeking solutions to this trouble, then follow this guide to get yourself out.

Why receiving verification failed error message?

It is necessary to figure out why you received “verification failed, an unknown error occurred” on iPhone, especially if you have encountered the issue more than once.

You may think that this problem occurs because of errors that are related to Apple ID. Instead, it is reported that the verification failed error message always prompts after a restore or an iOS update. Therefore, you’re not allowed to connect to Apple’s verification servers.

Fixes to verification failed for an unknown error occurred

Here are five solutions when the error message “Verification failed, an unknown error occurred” prompts on your iPhone. You can try them one after another until your trouble gets fixed.

Check Apple’s System Status site

No matter what trouble you encounter on your Apple devices, the first thing you need to do is to go to the site of Apple’s System Status to check whether everything goes well.

Just open a web browser and visit Apple’s System Status > Check if the light of a certain service, like Apple ID, is green. If it doesn’t work properly, Apple will leave a clickable link under the service where you can find some solutions.

Apple System Status

Check network connection

Just in case, you may need to check the network connection on your iPhone. Sometimes, your iPhone will disconnect from WiFi automatically after an iOS update. You can also try to connect your iPhone to a more stable WiFi or use your Cellular data when signing in your Apple ID.

Check Date & Time settings

The problem with your iPhone’s date, time, and location settings is also one issue that cause the Apple ID verification failed error.

To check your iPhone’s Date & Time settings, tap on Settings > Choose General > Scroll to locate and choose Date & Time > Turn off Set Automatically and tap Time Zone.

Date Time

From here, you can choose another location that is in your country for the process to work. Restart your iPhone to check whether your issue gets solved.

Force restart iPhone

If you’re still getting the error report, it is recommended to force restart your iPhone to have a try. It’s simple but useful for most of the time when your iPhone doesn’t work well. Follow the listed steps below to have a try.

iPhone 8 or later: Quick press and release the Volume + button > Perform the same operation on the Volume - button > Press and hold the Side/Top button until you see the Apple logo.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold both Power button and the Volume - button > Press and hold the Side/Top button until the Apple logo appears.
iPhone 6 or earlier: Hold down the Home button and the Power button at the same time > Release both when Apple logo shows up.

Hard Reset iPhone

Generate a verification code

If you have another Apple device, like an iPad or iPod that uses the same Apple ID, you can generate a verification code from it so that you can sign in your Apple ID on iPhone with it.

To get a verification code from another Apple device, go to the Settings app > Tap Apple ID > Choose Password & Security > Tap Get verification Code to get the six-digit code.

Get Verification Code

Now, you can try to sign in Apple ID on your iPhone with the error using the verification code.

Bonus: How to easily backup iPhone to computer

Since every troubleshooting will put your iPhone data in danger, it is suggested to backup your iPhone in advance. Just in case, if you are unable to backup iPhone to iTunes/iCloud because of the verification failed error, FoneTool, a professional backup tool for iOS devices, is recommended to you.

You can choose to backup important files like photos, messages, contacts, etc., or everything from iPhone to computer. Get the tool by clicking the icon below and follow the steps below to backup your iPhone.

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

How to backup selective files from iPhone to computer
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer with USB > Launch FoneTool and click Phone Backup from its main interface. Go to Selective Backup and click Get Started.

Custom Backup

Step 2. Check every icon to browse all files on your iPhone > Select the files you’d like to backup > Click OK to confirm.

Select Files

Step 3. Choose a destination to save these backup files > Click Start Backup to begin.

Click On Backup

Besides local folders on computer, you can choose to backup iPhone to NAS, external hard drives, and so on by changing the storage path.

To restore backup files, just go to Backup History to make it. You are also free to view your backup files anytime you want.

Restore To Device

FAQs on Apple ID Verification Failed for an Unknown Error

There are other questions you way want to know the answers:

1. Can I try resetting my Apple ID password?

If you suspect that your Apple ID password may be incorrect or compromised, you can reset it through the Apple ID account recovery process. Visit the Apple ID account page or use the "Forgot Apple ID or password" option on your device to reset your password.

2. Is the Apple ID server experiencing issues?

Sometimes, issues with the Apple ID server can cause verification failures. Check Apple's System Status page to see if there are any ongoing issues with the Apple ID service.

3. Can I contact Apple Support for further assistance?

If you've tried the above steps and are still experiencing issues with Apple ID verification, you can contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can provide additional troubleshooting steps or help resolve any account-related issues you may encounter.

Conclusion

That’s all for the issue verification failed for an unknown error occurred. Hope you can get out of it with one of the solutions in this guide. Just in case, if you need to backup your iPhone or transfer data from one Apple ID to another, let FoneTool help you.