Incorrect passcode when signing in to icloud

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Incorrect passcode when signing in to icloud

My MacBook Pro (13" 2017) with macOS Catalina 10.15.7 tells me I need to sign in to iCloud again. I open System Preferences and there is also the suggestion; "Update Apple ID settings". I select "details ..." to learn more: "Some account services will not be available until You sign in again".

I select "Continue" and I get a pop-up asking me to enter (Apple ID) password to set up iCloud. (Note to self: iCloud has been set up earlier successfully, nothing wrong with it).

I enter my Apple ID password. The pop-up dissappears. Soon appears another pop-up, now asking me to enter my Mac password. I enter my Mac password and the pop-up dissappears.

Then third pop-up appears, now asking me to "enter the passcode you use to unlock the iPhone". I enter my iPhone passcode (note: I happen to have four digit passcode on my iPhone, the pop-up asking the passcode has room for six digits). After having typed in my iPhone (four digit) passcode I select "Continue". It takes few seconds and my Mac replies to me with new pop-up telling me that my Mac is not happy with what I just typed; "Incorrect passcode". Enter the iPhone passcode again.

I choose the only available option "ok". I get back to the previous pop-up where I can type my iPhone passcode again. And select "Continue" only to learn again that my passcode is incorrect.

This is frustrating, since at the same time I do apply the passcode to my iPhone to open it and it works - of course.

Any suggestions how to work around this frustrating Apple bug?

Posted on Mar 27, 2021 8:49 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

kimmo_kalervo Author

Level 1

10 points

Mar 29, 2021 6:40 AM in response to tygb

Dear tygb, I appreciate You support and willingness to help, but You are moving too fast. You gave me a hint that helped me to solve the issue by a workaround - even if the actual Apple bug was not solved.

I was indeed signed in with same Apple ID to both devices, my iPhone and my Mac, both of them were on same local network hence Mac asking the passcode of the iPhone. When I dropped the iPhone from the network, the Mac did not ask the passcode of the iPhone anymore. Instead, Mac was asking the password of my other Mac. After I provided the password of the other Mac my first Mac, which wanted me to sign in again to iCloud was happy, it did not ask anymore for me to sign in again to iCloud.

So my issue was solved, but the Apple bug (Mac not accepting iPhone passcode) remains unsolved.

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Answer 2

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Mar 27, 2021 10:06 AM in response to kimmo_kalervo

See the section - Change your passcode or passcode settings in the article Use a passcode with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Mar 28, 2021 11:50 PM in response to tygb

There is nothing wrong with my passcode. I am using the passcode many times in a day on my iPhone. I have changed the passcode several times and I will change it again in due time.

The issue at hand is in the fact, that my Mac does not like the iPhone passcode. Mac keeps telling me the passcode is incorrect. My iPhone accepts the passcode, Mac does not. Apple has difficulties in validating the passcode token.

I am asking the community to help me to overcome the apparent Apple issue or bug.

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Answer 4

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Mar 29, 2021 1:06 AM in response to kimmo_kalervo

Have you signed iPhone and Mac with same Apple ID and password on the same network , what type of account is set up in Mac secondary authentication in which three answers for respective questions , date of birth , rescue mail address and its password is added , the iCloud Keychain might be corrupted , can you show / post the screen shot of the error ( but hide your mail address before posting ) , or the account is set up with 2FA .

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Answer 5

tygb

Level 9

65,010 points

Mar 29, 2021 9:12 AM in response to kimmo_kalervo

You have not removed the iPhone from the Apple ID account Check your Apple ID device list to see where you're signed in - Apple Support

Only disconnected the iPhone from network How to forget a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac - Apple Support

The Mac -2 was previously signed in with same apple id and password on the same network and Mac - 1 ( the primary one ) approved it the Mac - 2 and both were signed in .

The iPhone was temporarily disconnected to the network and passcode disappeared , once again the iPhone is connected with correct network credentials Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

A new passcode will appear in iPhone .

You feel it's a bug the apple engineers have designed the account to get secured and a new passcode is generated .

A product feedback and a bug report can be sent to them https://www.apple.com/feedback/

Feedback - iPhone - Apple

https://developer.apple.com/bug-reporting/

In my views its not a bug , see the article iCloud security overview - Apple Support

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Incorrect passcode when signing in to icloud

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