Apple does not publish a single customer service phone number on their main website
If you search for "Apple support phone number," you will find many numbers online — but most of them are not run by Apple. Apple routes support through their website (apple.com/support), their retail stores, and their phone support line, which you reach by starting at apple.com/support and selecting your device type. The company does not advertise a general support number that you can call directly.
This matters because scammers know people search for Apple's phone number when they are worried about their device. They buy ads, create fake support websites, and post numbers on forums. If you call one of these numbers, you reach a person pretending to work for Apple who will ask for your password, payment information, or remote access to your computer.
The safest way to contact Apple is to go to apple.com/support yourself, without clicking any link from an email, text, or search result. From there, you can choose to chat with support, schedule a call, or visit an Apple Store.
Key Takeaways
- Apple's official support starts at apple.com/support, where you choose your device and problem type to reach the right team.
- Any phone number you find through a search result, email, or text message claiming to be Apple support is likely a scam.
- Scammers use fake Apple support numbers to trick people into sharing passwords, payment details, or allowing remote access to their devices.
- If you think your Apple account has been compromised, change your password at iforgot.apple.com and enable two-factor authentication.
- Apple will never call you first asking for your password or asking you to read software to fix a problem.
How to reach Apple support the official way
Start by visiting apple.com/support on a device you trust. Type your device name (iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch) into the search box, then describe your problem. Apple's support site will show you articles, videos, and options to contact support.
You have three ways to get help: chat with an agent in real time, schedule a phone call from Apple (they call you), or book an appointment at an Apple Store near you. The chat and phone options are free. When you schedule a phone call, Apple calls your number at the time you choose — you do not call them.
If you have an Apple device with you, you can also open the Apple Support app (pre-installed on newer iPhones and iPads) and request help from there. The app connects you to the same support team.
Why scammers use fake Apple numbers
Apple support is valuable because Apple customers often have money in their accounts, payment methods on file, and devices that contain personal information. A scammer who convinces you that your account is "compromised" or your device has a "virus" can pressure you into giving them access or payment information in minutes.
The scam usually follows this pattern: you see a pop-up warning, an email, or a search result with a phone number. You call it. The person who answers says they are from Apple and that your account or device has a security problem. They ask you to confirm your password, install software, or pay a fee to fix it. By the time you realize it is a scam, they have your information or your money.
Scammers buy ads on Google and other search engines so their fake numbers appear at the top of results. They also create websites that look almost identical to apple.com, with slightly different URLs (like applesupport-help.com instead of apple.com/support). If you click a link from an email or text, you may land on one of these fake sites without realizing it.
Red flags that a phone number or website is not Apple
Apple's official support website is always apple.com/support. The URL will start with "apple.com" — nothing else. If the address bar shows anything different, close the page and start over at apple.com directly.
Any phone number you find through a search result, email, text message, or pop-up is not Apple's official number. Apple does not advertise a phone number for you to call. They only provide phone support through their official website, and they call you — you do not call them.
If someone calls you claiming to be from Apple, hang up. Apple does not call customers first to warn them about security problems or viruses. If you are worried your account is compromised, hang up and go to apple.com/support yourself to check your account.
Be suspicious of any message that creates urgency ("Your account will be locked in 24 hours") or asks you to read software, install an app, or give remote access to your device. Apple support will never ask you to do these things during a support call.
What to do if you called a fake number or visited a fake website
If you gave a scammer your Apple password, change it when ready at iforgot.apple.com. Use a password you have never used before and make it at least 16 characters long. Then turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already — go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on an iPhone, or System Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on a Mac.
If you gave them your credit card or payment information, call your bank or credit card company right away and tell them you may have been scammed. Ask them to watch your account for unauthorized charges and consider canceling the card and ordering a new one.
If you allowed them remote access to your device, restart it when ready. This closes any remote connection they had. Then change your Apple password as described above. If you are not sure what they accessed, consider taking your device to an Apple Store and asking a technician to check it.
Report the fake number or website to Apple by going to apple.com/support, scrolling to the bottom, and clicking "Report a scam." You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
How to protect yourself from Apple support scams
Never click a link in an email or text message that claims to be from Apple, even if it looks real. Instead, go to apple.com directly by typing it into your browser. If you are worried about your account, log in through the official website and check it yourself.
Do not search for "Apple support phone number" and call the first result. Instead, go to apple.com/support and use the chat or phone options there. This is the only way to know you are reaching Apple.
Turn on two-factor authentication on your Apple account now, before you need support. This makes it much harder for a scammer to take over your account even if they get your password. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on iPhone or System Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on Mac.
If you see a pop-up warning on your device claiming there is a virus or security problem, close it by pressing the home button or clicking away. Do not tap any button in the pop-up. Pop-ups like this are almost always scams — Apple does not warn you about viruses through pop-ups on your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an Apple customer service phone number I can save?
No. Apple does not publish a general customer service number. The only way to reach Apple support by phone is through apple.com/support, where you describe your problem and Apple calls you at a time you choose. Any number you find elsewhere is not Apple's.
What if I need help right now and do not want to wait for a callback?
Use the chat option on apple.com/support instead. Chat support is usually available when ready and does not require you to wait for a phone call. You can also visit an Apple Store if one is near you — they can often help the same day.
How do I know if an email from Apple is real?
Real emails from Apple come from addresses ending in @apple.com. Check the sender's full email address, not just the display name. If you are unsure, do not click any link in the email. Instead, go to apple.com/support directly and log into your account to see if there is a message waiting for you.
Can I get my money back if I paid a scammer?
It depends on how you paid and how quickly you report it. If you paid by credit card, call your card company when ready — they may reverse the charge. If you paid by wire transfer or gift card, recovery is much harder. Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov so they can track patterns.
What should I do if I think my Apple ID was hacked?
Go to iforgot.apple.com and change your password when ready. Then go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security and turn on two-factor authentication if it is not already on. Check your account for unfamiliar devices or payment methods and remove anything you do not recognize.