Can't access old device because of two factor authentication

Question

Level 1

4 points

Can't access old device because of two factor authentication

I have an old Ipad 2 I just dusted off. Some years back I gave it to my kids to play with and one of them put a passcode on it which noone can remember anymore. I still have my phone number as my two factor authentication and I used iTunes from my PC to reset the ipad but I can't set it up. Whenever I log in with my AppleID it first asks me for a code from a sms which I supply. Then it thinks alot and asks me for a code from my other apple device. I should mention that I don't own any other apple device. If I put in the only passcode I know ( 0000 ) it tells me I cannot use the passcode for the current device. Si when I log into appleid.apple.com I can see that the ipad has added itself as a two factor authentication device and is asking me for a passcode to itself which it then won't accept because it's the same device.

I can still use my applid on this site and in iTunes on my PC just fine. I just can't use it on the ipad.

I'm at a loss - I feel like apple isn't doing a very good job with it's two factor authentication method here which leaves me with an unusable device because I don't own another apple device? It makes no sense to me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

iPad 2

Posted on Jun 28, 2022 3:02 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

WheelieNick

Level 8

38,755 points

Jun 28, 2022 3:08 PM in response to TheGudmo

You have to generate a code on another Apple Device you own, and log in with that code instead of your password.

I had this happen on a old imac with yosemite.

See this link for some reference on how you make the code

Get sent a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication – Apple Support (UK)

Reply

Answer 2

WheelieNick

Level 8

38,755 points

Jun 28, 2022 3:23 PM in response to TheGudmo

Do you have a trusted phone number on your apple id? Then you can try this:

f you don’t have a trusted device to hand, you can get a verification

code sent to your trusted phone number as a text message or phone call.Click “Didn’t get a verification code” on the sign-in screen.
Choose to get the code sent to your trusted phone number.
You’ll receive a text message or phone call from Apple with your
verification code. This text message might include an additional domain
validation line. This line includes the @ symbol, the website name and
your code (for example: @icloud.com #123456 %apple.com).

If this is not working, you need to contact Apple Support at a time that they're open to request account recovery: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password – Apple Support (UK)

Reply

Answer 3

TheGudmo Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 28, 2022 3:31 PM in response to WheelieNick

Let me guide you through my setup process

- Language is chosen
- Network is setup
Location Services enabled/disabled
Appl ID login ( Successful )
2FA requested and sent through text ( SMS )
Text 2FA confirmed
2FA requested and sent to my Apple Device ( Wait, what apple device. I don't have any other apple device )
Unable to authenticate with my "other" apple device, switching to text 2FA
Text recieved and sent
Please enter the passcode of your other device ( Wait, I don't have any other device )
Unable to setup your device, you don't have another apple device ( I made that up, but it's bsicly the final reply )

At the end of the process I'm unable to use my Ipad becuase I don't have another device and this one keeps registering itself as both the current and the other device which of course ends in complete failure and the computer says "NO"

Reply