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I assume I am being very hopeful, as everything that I have read says you might as well consider your account as lost, when you lose the recovery key to log into your account. Tell me it is possible to recover it. Any advice?
If you enabled a recovery key, and no longer have it or know the password then your account is lost to you. There is no account recovery process when you enable a recovery key in iOS 14
See -> How to generate a recovery key - Apple Support
”How to generate a recovery key
With two-factor authentication and an Apple device, you have the option to generate a recovery key to help improve account security. If you need to reset your password, you can then use your recovery key to regain access to your Apple ID.
A recovery key is a 28-character code that you can use to help reset your password or regain access to your Apple ID. While it’s not required, using a recovery key improves the security of your account by putting you in control of resetting your password. Creating a recovery key turns off account recovery. Account recovery is a process that would otherwise help you get back into your Apple ID account when you don’t have enough information to reset your password.
Using a recovery key is more secure, but it means that you’re responsible for maintaining access to your trusted devices and your recovery key. If you lose both of these items, you could be locked out of your account permanently. With that in mind, it's important to keep your recovery key in a safe place. You might want to give a copy of your recovery key to a family member, or keep copies in more than one place. That way you always have your recovery key when you need it.”
If you enabled a recovery key, and no longer have it or know the password then your account is lost to you. There is no account recovery process when you enable a recovery key in iOS 14
See -> How to generate a recovery key - Apple Support
”How to generate a recovery key
With two-factor authentication and an Apple device, you have the option to generate a recovery key to help improve account security. If you need to reset your password, you can then use your recovery key to regain access to your Apple ID.
A recovery key is a 28-character code that you can use to help reset your password or regain access to your Apple ID. While it’s not required, using a recovery key improves the security of your account by putting you in control of resetting your password. Creating a recovery key turns off account recovery. Account recovery is a process that would otherwise help you get back into your Apple ID account when you don’t have enough information to reset your password.
Using a recovery key is more secure, but it means that you’re responsible for maintaining access to your trusted devices and your recovery key. If you lose both of these items, you could be locked out of your account permanently. With that in mind, it's important to keep your recovery key in a safe place. You might want to give a copy of your recovery key to a family member, or keep copies in more than one place. That way you always have your recovery key when you need it.”
Recovery key only applies if you have the older 2 step verification. If you have 2 factor authentication there is no recovery key, but there is an account recovery process described in this Apple support article—>Recover your Apple ID when you can’t reset your password - Apple Support
If you mean recovery key for something else please explain.
Lawrence and Eric, with 2FA and iOS or iPadOS 14, there is an option under account settings to generate a 28 character recovery key. Doing so does disable any option of using the automated account recovery process though. Once a recovery key is generate,d a user must know their password or the recovery key to get back in. Without one of those, there is no ability to access the account and Apple cannot do anything either.
You’re both welcome. It is pretty new, that’s for sure. I actually turned it on to check it out. But I also have my recovery key saved in both a Keychain secure note on my Mac and in an mSecure note and sync’d to all my devices so I won’t lose it.
If using 2 Step Verification and you can sign in using your password and trusted device, you can generate a new recovery key. See the article below.
Thanks, Michael. I missed that as it’s only a couple of weeks old.
Thank you Michael. I thought I had seen that article, but couldn't find it.
forgotten recovery key...and advice
