Add recovery contact: iOS not recognizing contact as an Apple user. When adding my spouse, the dialog states I cannot add him because he is not an Apple device user.
I’ve checked (with no luck) to make sure he is on iOS 15, and signed in on all his devices. What else can I check to make my device recognize him s as an Apple user? Thank you!
iPad Pro, 15
Hello Dustyland,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities!
It sounds like you're having some trouble adding your spouse as an account recovery contact. We'd like to help.
Take a look at Help a friend or family member as their account recovery contact, specifically the section under "Requirements to be a recovery contact" to ensure they meet all of the requirements apart from being updated to iOS 15 and signed into an Apple ID on their device.
Have a nice day!
Hello Dustyland,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities!
It sounds like you're having some trouble adding your spouse as an account recovery contact. We'd like to help.
Take a look at Help a friend or family member as their account recovery contact, specifically the section under "Requirements to be a recovery contact" to ensure they meet all of the requirements apart from being updated to iOS 15 and signed into an Apple ID on their device.
Have a nice day!
FYI: I was still having trouble adding a recovery contact (who is an Apple device user). The problem was persistent—until I tried my iPhone—which was successful. All previous attempts has been from my iPad and all those attempts resulted in the same error message (“You cannot add a recovery contact who is not an Apple device user.”). A better error message or dialog would be “Recovery Contacts can only be managed from your iPhone”—at least until such can be managed with an iPad.
Exactly the article I needed, but couldn’t find—thank you!
Dustyland,
You're welcome! We're happy to know that resource helped out.
Take care.
Add recovery contact: iOS not recognizing contact as an Apple user.
