# Check if a phone number is linked to an Apple Account (Apple ID)

> Check in real time whether an Apple Account (Apple ID) is associated with a phone number. Yes, no or unknown per number; unknowns are free.

Canonical: https://mobilevalidate.com/services/apple-id-number-check · Last updated: 2026-09-25

![A phone number checked against a grid of generic account tiles, each marked registered, not registered or unknown.](https://mobilevalidate.com/images/account-presence-check.svg)

*Account checks say whether an account exists. They never say whose it is.*


The Apple Account check indicates whether an Apple Account, formerly called Apple ID, is associated with a phone number. It runs in real time and in bulk jobs, for numbers from any country, and answers `registered: true`, `false` or `null` (unknown) with the time of the check. It never returns names, addresses or devices.

## What does the Apple Account check tell you?

It tells you whether a phone number is linked to an Apple Account, the account people use for the App Store, iCloud and other Apple services. Apple began calling Apple ID "Apple Account" in 2024. A phone number can be linked in two main ways. It can serve as a trusted phone number for two-factor authentication, which Apple uses to send sign-in codes. In some regions, it can also be the account's primary identifier instead of an e-mail address.

- `registered: true`: an Apple Account is associated with the number.
- `registered: false`: a conclusive "no".
- `registered: null`: no conclusive answer. Not charged.

The check covers the account, not iMessage. To find out whether a number is registered for iMessage, use the [iMessage check](/services/imessage-number-check). It runs in bulk jobs only.

## Who uses it, and why?

Apple Accounts protect payment details and device access, so a phone number tied to one has usually been used for real sign-ins and verification codes.

- **Account security.** When a customer adds or changes a phone number on their account with you, a number linked to an Apple Account is less likely to be a disposable number. It is one input to a review, not proof. See [account security](/use-cases/account-security).
- **Sign-up protection.** In a live sign-up, the real-time answer can sit next to a [carrier lookup](/services/carrier-lookup) to separate everyday mobile numbers from numbers set up for a single use.
- **Channel planning for expected messages.** Combined with [iMessage](/services/imessage-number-check) and [RCS](/services/rcs-capability-check), it helps you estimate how many of your consented customers are on Apple devices.

## What do you get back?

Each number gets one result under `checks["apple.registered"]`, with no extra attributes.

| Field | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| `registered` | boolean or null | `true` account associated, `false` none, `null` unknown |
| `status` | enum | `completed`, `pending`, `unknown`, `unsupported_country` or `failed` |
| `confidence` / `confidence_score` | enum / 0–1 | How sure the answer is |
| `checked_at` | timestamp | When the answer was obtained |
| `cached` / `age_seconds` | boolean / integer | Served from your account's cache, and its age |
| `billed` | boolean | Whether this check was charged |
| `reason` | string or null | Why an answer is not conclusive |

## How is it billed?

You pay per number checked, and only for conclusive answers. You're not charged for inconclusive results (unknown, unsupported country, timeout, invalid, duplicate). Real-time and bulk checks are priced separately. See [pricing](/pricing). Cache hits inside the freshness window are free, and `max_age: 0` forces a fresh, billed check.

## What are the limits?

- Real time (`POST /v1/lookup`, up to 100 identifiers) and bulk jobs (`POST /v1/jobs`, up to 50,000 per job), for numbers from every country.
- Up to 20 checks per request. Numbers × checks is capped at 2,000 per lookup and 100,000 per job.
- Requests that look like sequential number ranges or generated e-mail lists are rejected (`suspected_enumeration`).
- A daily cap per account applies (`GET /v1/limits`).
- Invalid, duplicate and suppressed numbers are reported per row and never checked.

## How do I use it responsibly?

Use the answer to protect accounts and sign-ups, and only for numbers you have a lawful basis to process. Don't use it to profile people, to judge them by the devices they use, or to decide on eligibility for credit, jobs, housing or insurance. The [acceptable use policy](/legal/acceptable-use) forbids these uses and unsolicited messaging. People can object at [/opt-out](/opt-out).

## Example request

With a test key, `+447700900001` answers "registered". See [test mode](/docs/test-mode).

```bash
curl https://api.mobilevalidate.com/v1/lookup \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $MOBILEVALIDATE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"numbers": ["+447700900001"], "checks": ["apple"]}'
```

Response (excerpt, test mode: the first item of `results`):

```json
{
  "kind": "phone",
  "input": "+447700900001",
  "e164": "+447700900001",
  "country": "GB",
  "number_status": "valid",
  "checks": {
    "apple.registered": {
      "service": "apple.registered",
      "status": "completed",
      "registered": true,
      "attributes": null,
      "confidence": "high",
      "confidence_score": 0.99,
      "checked_at": "2026-09-25T14:25:31.114Z",
      "cached": false,
      "age_seconds": 0,
      "billed": false,
      "reason": null,
      "poll_after_ms": null
    }
  },
  "test": true
}
```

## Frequently asked questions

### Is this the same as the iMessage check?

No. This check answers whether an Apple Account is associated with the number. The iMessage check answers whether the number is registered for iMessage. They often agree, but not always, and iMessage runs in bulk jobs only.

### Apple ID or Apple Account — which is it?

Both names mean the same account. Apple began calling Apple ID the Apple Account in 2024. The service code stays apple.registered.

### Does a linked Apple Account mean the person uses an iPhone?

Not necessarily. Apple Accounts are also used on Mac, iPad, Windows and the web, for example for Apple Music or iCloud. It suggests the number belongs to someone who uses Apple services.

### Can I check an e-mail address for an Apple Account?

Yes, with the separate apple.email service (alias apple.email). It also runs in real time.

### Does the check return the Apple Account's name or devices?

No. It only indicates whether an account is associated with the number. No name, e-mail address, device list or location is returned.

## Service code and modes

- Code: `apple.registered` (input: phone number)
- Modes: realtime and bulk · worldwide

## Price (live)

- Realtime (POST /v1/lookup): $0.0005 per check ($0.50 per 1,000)
- Bulk (POST /v1/jobs): $0.0003 per check ($0.30 per 1,000)
- You're not charged for inconclusive results (unknown, unsupported country, timeout, invalid, duplicate).

## Response fields (from the public catalog)

| Field | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| registered | boolean or null | true = found, false = not found, null = unknown (not charged) |
| status | enum | completed, pending, unknown, unsupported_country, failed |
| checked_at | timestamp | When the answer was obtained |

_Platform and brand names are used only to describe which service a check refers to. MobileValidate is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any of these companies; all trademarks belong to their owners._