Verification refers to a laptop that no longer exists

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11,465 points

Verification refers to a laptop that no longer exists

I had to do a partial restore that included the Library subdirectory in my home directory. I am re-activating iCloud. Some things work fine, but others (eg: Messages, Keychain, iCould Drive) require additional verification. From the main Apple ID pane in System Preferences, I am first asked for my Apple ID and password (which I have verified work). Then I am asked for my computer login password, presumably for Keychain Access iCloud functionality. Finally, I get another popup window that asks me for the password on a Laptop that was lost (and locked remotely) during the CZU fire. I put in the last password, but apparently it tries to contact that computer, and of course fails. Then I am back to pane 1.

I then deleted this laptop from the long list of devices associated with my Apple ID, hoping it would then default to one of my other computers, but no such luck. It keeps going back to this one.

There must be a way to get around this, or at least get it to invoke a different computer from the list. Any ideas?

iMac, macOS 10.15

Posted on Feb 25, 2022 6:16 PM

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Answer 1

Bill Scott Author

Level 6

11,465 points

Feb 25, 2022 9:22 PM in response to Bill Scott

As a positive control, I created a new account on this iMac for myself, and included my iCloud account name and password during setup/initial login. I was first prompted for the conventional 2-factor code, which I obtained on my phone in the usual way. A bit further along it asks me for a login password for my laptop, but this time it is my new (replacement) Macbook Air, with a different computer name. I gave the password for that, and it worked.

I'm not clear why it does this; I have never encountered this before. But it does show it should be able to use the newer laptop, so if there is some way to force/override its selection of the older nonexistent laptop, it should then work for the current account.

I guess the nuclear option is to use the new user account, but there HAS to be a better way...

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Answer 2

Bill Scott Author

Level 6

11,465 points

Feb 25, 2022 8:31 PM in response to Bill Scott

Just to clarify, 2-factor is on and working properly for most of the iCloud services (Mail, Safari, Contacts, reminders, etc). But when I try to turn on Keychain Access, for example, it eventually prompts me to log into a second (no longer existing) computer, instead of using the established 2-factor ID.

It just fails waiting for a response, and eventually I have to Force-Quit System Preferences to get out.

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Verification refers to a laptop that no longer exists

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