How to Fix 'Could Not Sign In' During iPhone 18 Setup
If the Apple Account sign-in screen will not let you continue during iPhone 18 setup, do not keep guessing passwords or erase the phone right away. Confirm that the account email address or phone number is correct, use a stable internet connection, and follow the recovery option shown on the setup screen if you do not remember the password.
Use the recovery option in Setup Assistant
Apple provides a Forgot password or don’t have an Apple Account? option on the Apple Account sign-in screen for a new device. Select it and follow the onscreen prompts rather than repeatedly entering credentials. This keeps the recovery process tied to the account Apple is asking you to verify.
Check the account before trying again
If you have another trusted Apple device already signed in to the same Apple Account, use it to reset the password. Apple states that a trusted device with a passcode is the easiest way to reset an Apple Account password. After the password is changed, return to setup and sign in with the new password.
If you do not have a trusted device, Apple also provides recovery through its web-based password reset flow or the Apple Support app on a borrowed Apple device. Use only Apple’s own recovery prompts and avoid sharing verification codes or account credentials with anyone claiming to offer setup help.
If you skip sign-in for now
When setup offers a way to continue without signing in, you can finish the remaining setup steps and sign in later. In Settings, choose the Apple Account sign-in option, select manual sign-in, then choose Forgot password? if needed. This is useful when you need time to complete account recovery without restarting the whole setup process.
Note:
A security delay or additional verification can be part of Apple Account recovery. Follow the timing shown by Apple instead of trying repeated resets.
When to get help
Contact Apple Support if the account details are correct, recovery does not complete, or the setup screen shows an error that prevents you from continuing. Keep the exact message and the steps that led to it; this helps distinguish an account-recovery issue from a device-setup issue.
