You open the App Store on your Mac, try to install or update something, and instead of a download you get a blunt alert: "Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes." No apps, no updates, no purchases. It looks alarming, but in almost every case your Mac is completely fine and your data is untouched. The problem is on the account side, and it is fixable.
This guide explains what the message actually means, the handful of reasons Apple disables an account, and the exact order to work through to get back in.
First: what this error actually means
This is not a hardware fault and it is not a network glitch. It means Apple has placed a hold on your Apple Account (formerly "Apple ID") for the App Store and iTunes/Media services specifically. Your Mac still works, your files are safe, and you can usually still log in to iCloud, Messages, and other services — it is only purchasing and downloading that is blocked.
Two things get confused here, so be clear which one you have:
- "Your account has been disabled in the App Store and iTunes" — Apple disabled the account for security or billing reasons (this article).
- "This Apple Account has been disabled for security reasons" — a broader lockout that usually needs an Apple Account password reset. The fix below (Step 1) handles this too.
Why Apple disables an account
Apple rarely explains the specific trigger in the alert, but the common causes are:
- An unpaid or failed payment. A declined card, a subscription that could not renew, or an outstanding balance is the single most common reason. Clear the balance and the block usually lifts.
- Too many failed sign-in attempts or suspected unauthorized access — Apple locks the account defensively.
- A billing dispute or chargeback filed with your bank against an Apple charge.
- Suspected policy violations (sharing accounts, fraud flags, or a gift-card issue).
- A password reset in progress that has not been completed.
Fix 1 — Reset your Apple Account password
The fastest re-enable, and the one Apple itself recommends for a disabled account, is a password reset. On your Mac open System Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password, or go to iforgot.apple.com from any browser and follow the prompts. Once the password is changed, sign out of the App Store (App Store > Store menu > Sign Out) and sign back in with the new password. For a large share of "disabled" cases this alone clears the block.
Fix 2 — Check for an unpaid balance or failed payment
Go to appleid.apple.com or System Settings > [your name] > Media & Purchases > Manage and look at your payment method and billing history. If a card was declined or a subscription failed to renew, update the card and settle any outstanding amount. Apple often re-enables the account automatically once the balance is paid. Our separate guide on managing Apple ID subscriptions and payment on a Mac walks through fixing a declined payment in detail.
Fix 3 — Verify your identity and remove security holds
If the account was locked for security (too many wrong passwords, or an unfamiliar login), completing two-factor authentication on a trusted device usually restores it. Approve the sign-in on your iPhone or another Apple device, or enter the six-digit code. If you have lost access to your trusted devices, use account recovery at iforgot.apple.com.
Fix 4 — Sign out and back in on the Mac
Once the account itself is healthy, refresh the session on your Mac: App Store > Store > Sign Out, quit the App Store, reopen it, and sign back in. Restart the Mac if the error persists — the App Store caches your account status and a reboot forces a fresh check.
Fix 5 — Contact Apple Support if it is still disabled
If you have reset the password, cleared any balance, and passed two-factor and the account is still disabled, only Apple can lift the remaining hold. Contact Apple Support (support.apple.com) and ask specifically about an App Store and iTunes account disabled status. Have your Apple Account email and, if billing-related, your payment details ready. This is common after a chargeback or a flagged gift card, and support can usually re-enable it once the issue is explained.
Buying or selling a used Mac? Watch the account status
If you just bought a used Mac and see this error, it is almost always your own account status, not the machine — sign out of the previous owner’s account entirely and sign in with your own. If you are selling, sign out of the App Store and erase the Mac first so the buyer starts clean. Every refurbished Mac we sell at LuxuriousComputers ships fully erased and signed out, so you never inherit a locked account. Browse the current Apple clearance lineup if you would rather start fresh with a clean machine.
Frequently asked questions
Does "account disabled in the App Store" mean my Mac is broken?
No. It is purely an account-level hold. Your Mac, your files, and your other Apple services are unaffected — only App Store and iTunes purchasing and downloading is blocked until the account is re-enabled.
Will I lose my apps or purchases?
No. Apps and past purchases stay tied to your Apple Account. Once the account is re-enabled you can download everything again from the App Store’s Purchased list.
How long does it take Apple to re-enable an account?
A password reset or paid balance often clears the block within minutes to a few hours. Holds that require Apple Support review can take a day or two.
Is "account disabled" the same as "your account is not valid for use in the store"?
No — those are different messages. "Not valid for use in the store" is usually a region, terms, or payment-method mismatch. See our guide on the "account is not valid for use in the store" error for that one.
I keep getting it right after a password change. Why?
You likely need to sign out of the App Store and sign back in with the new password — the Mac is still trying the old credentials. Do Fix 4 above.