HT204152: Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID

Learn about Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID
vkiejzo

Q: Apple ID Disabled & Lost Recovery Key (Two-Step Verification)

If you use Two-Step Verification:


If your Apple ID is disabled "for security reasons" AND you lost your Recovery Key ALL HOPE IS NOT LOST!  Speaking from a recent, nearly devastating experience, I hopefully will provide some relief to others in the same boat...

 

After speaking to several customer service representatives who basically told me that without the recovery key, there was no way to access my account and everything would be lost forever, I finally spoke with a senior customer service representative that actually understood my issue (most thought I just forgot my password).

 

As it turns out, my account was locked due to too many incorrect PW attempts (not exactly sure how that happened).  I was prompted to go to appleid.apple.com and when trying to log in, prompted to enter my Recovery Key.  I couldn't get further than that.  What I didn't realize and the other reps didn't tell me was after 8 hours, the account is unlocked.  I was then able to log in at applied.apple.com and verify my account using a trusted device.  I was then able to create a new recovery key (and print it out and put copies everywhere so this wouldn't happen again!).


Lessons Learned:  1. Don't lose the Recovery Key again!  2. When talking to Apple Customer Service, ask to speak with a senior customer service representative.  3.  Wait 8 hours without trying to log in and your Apple ID is unlocked again.


Apple ID

Posted on Jan 28, 2015 12:29 PM

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Q: Apple ID Disabled & Lost Recovery Key (Two-Step Verification)

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  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jan 28, 2015 1:32 PM in response to vkiejzo
    Level 5 (7,763 points)
    Notebooks
    Jan 28, 2015 1:32 PM in response to vkiejzo

    we all have had unsatisfactory results with entry level CS techs. Your advice to be assertive about speaking with a Senior Tech is sound and where I have ALWAYS found satsifaction. Methinks the proprietary Customer Service Knowledge Base may be running the same software as our forums - Terrible searching is a rule here. - the other two suggestions are very good as well - ÇÇÇ