How to Fix iCloud Authentication Error, Unsupported Apple ID Error on iPhone 12

You might not be able to use the App store or open iCloud if you are getting an iCloud authentication error or unsupported Apple ID error on iPhone 12. To help those users being affected by this problem, I have mapped out some easy solutions that you can follow below. Feel free to give them a try and see if it can fix the issue. 

How to Deal with iCloud Authentication and Unsupported Apple ID Error on iPhone 12

Entering your account information incorrectly for many times could block your Apple ID and may result in iCloud authentication error or unsupported Apple ID. This is a feature for iOS users to protect their security. 

Retrieving your credentials should be easy. Just go to Apple’s official website and click on Sign in or Log in then click on Forgot Apple ID or password. You can also go to iforgot.apple.com directly. Once you have retrieved your Apple ID and password, try to use it on your App store or iCloud and check if it still provides you the same error. 

If you are still getting iCloud authentication error or unsupported Apple ID error on iPhone 12, follow the recommendations below and see if it can fix the issue. 

First Solution: Sign out the Apple ID on your iPhone 12

iphone 12 apple id sign out 1

Signing out the existing Apple ID would ensure that you will be entering correct information and remove the possibility of conflicts on the device that may have been the reason why unsupported Apple ID error still occurs. 

If you’ve recently retrieved your Apple ID and password, this information might not have been saved on your iPhone’s system. Manually removing the old Apple ID and entering the newly retrieved information on iCloud will ensure that correct details are being used by the device. Simply follow these steps: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap on your Name or Apple ID
  3. Go to and select Sign Out
  4. Once you have signed out successfully, sign in your Apple ID again by going to Settings and select Apple ID

After entering the correct login credentials, check if you are still getting an iCloud authentication error. 

Second Solution: Restart your iPhone 12 

iPhone 12 force Restart 11

Restarting your phone is essential to remove existing glitches that could also interrupt with some functions and causes relevant symptoms to occur. It should be easy and should not take a lot of your time and effort. 

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly. 
  3. Lastly, press and hold the Side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo.

Once the restart has been completed, check with your iCloud and see if unsupported Apple ID error still occurs on your iPhone 12. 

Third Solution: Reset All Settings on iPhone 12

iphone 12 reset all settings 2 6

There’s a great chance that the unsupported Apple ID error is occurring on your iPhone 12 due to misconfigured settings. To rule this out, performing a reset all settings procedure is essential to revert those manually configured settings to their default values and options without deleting your personal data. 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset
  4. Tap the Reset All Settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm all settings reset. 

Once the process is done, set up necessary settings on your iPhone 12 and check if iCloud authentication error has been resolved. 

Fourth Solution: Factory Reset your iPhone 12 

iphone 12 factory reset 1 9

If this problem is caused by a software glitch, then it is imperative to clear contents on the device to remove the possibility of a fatal error that’s dwelling on your iPhone’s system and causes the error to appear. Before you delete the phone’s contents, make sure to create a backup of your important files first. 

To create a backup via iTunes:

  1. Prepare a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes installed.
  2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using the Apple-supplied USB/lightning cable. 
  3. Open iTunes on your computer. Then allow iTunes to sync with your iPhone and backup files.

Once you are ready, do a factory reset by following these steps: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset
  4. Tap the Erase all contents and settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm all settings reset.

After the reset, set up your device like the first time you’ve used it. Then test if you are still getting an unsupported Apple ID error on iPhone 12. 

Fifth Solution: Restore the iPhone 12 via iTunes 

iphone 12 restore 8

The best way to rule out major software glitches that may have been causing the error is to restore the iOS on your iPhone 12. It should allow a complete iOS re-download, clearing glitches along the way. 

To perform a recovery mode restore, you must have a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes installed. Also ensure that your computer runs on the latest operating system that is compatible with your iPhone and it has a stable internet connection. Once you have those things ready, open iTunes and connect your device to the computer using the Apple-supplied USB/lightning cable. Then allow iTunes to sync with your iPhone and backup files, if possible. Once the backup is secured, follow these steps to put your iPhone 12 in recovery mode and then restore iOS in iTunes:

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.
  3. Then press and hold the Power/Side button once prompted with Connect to iTunes screen. Do not release the button when the Apple logo appears as you will need to enter recovery mode state.
  4. Once you enter the recovery mode, you’ll see either Update or Restore option.
  5. Select Restore if you want to reinstall and download iOS on your device without erasing data. 

Do not disconnect your phone and keep it connected until the entire restore process is finished. Your phone will exit recovery mode if the download takes more than 15 minutes. If that happens, just repeat the steps to enter recovery mode again. 

Still Having an Unsupported Apple ID error on iPhone 12

If you are still getting an iCloud authentication error on your iPhone 12, test your credentials with other Apple services such as iTunes. If your Apple ID works fine with iTunes or the App Store, then you might need an intervention from iCloud support. Just contact them and ask for official recommendations on how to deal with the problem. But if your Apple ID is not working on other Apple services, contact Apple support directly for further assistance. 

Also Read: How to Fix Siri Not Responding on iPhone 12

You can always visit our Youtube channel anytime you need help with other troubleshooting stuff. Feel free to subscribe and don’t forget to like our videos. Thank you. 


Posts you might like

Leave a Comment