unable to enable the recovery key

Hello herr_Ziegelstein, 

Apple Support Communities is a wonderful place for help! It sounds as though you’re having issues with the recovery key associated to your Apple ID with two-step verification. If so, you can find helpful information about two-step verification in the following article. 

Two-step verification for Apple ID

If you’re referring to two-factor authentication the article below can be helpful. 

Two-factor authentication for Apple ID

If you’re having a different issue please let us know in more detail about where you’re attempting to enable the recovery key. We look forward to your response!

We appreciate that clarification herr_Ziegelstein. 

This Recovery Key would be associated to the two-step verification security type for your Apple ID. If you’ve already turned on two-factor verification and are using that security type you would not be able to turn on the Recovery Key or enable two-step verification. 

Two-factor authentication is a great step security type with enhanced features to ensure your Apple ID remains secure. That information can be found in the Two-factor authentication for Apple ID article that was previously linked. 

If you have additional questions about those security feature you can reach out to Apple. Their contact information can be found via the Get Support website. 

Take care!

We apologize for any confusion herr_Ziegelstein. 

We want to ensure that we’re able to provide the right troubleshooting steps for reaching a resolution. Can you clarify if you’re attempting to enroll your Apple ID in to two-factor authentication, two-step verification, or attempting to install an application? Please provide us with the specific steps you’re taking immediately prior to the error message appearing. For example, are you going into Settings > [your name] > Password & Security on your iPhone, and attempting to tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication?

We look forward to your response!

Thank you for those screenshots herr_Ziegelstein. 

We do see that two-factor authentication is enabled. As this security type is enabled you wouldn’t be able to turn on or utilize two-step verification which is the security type that the Recovery Key is associated with. If you have additional questions about these features you can reference the links that were previously provided, or reach out to Apple via the Get Support website linked in the prior response as well.

Have a wonderful weekend!