Recovering AppleID Account with no access to phone number

I am trying to assist a family member and recover their AppleID as they have been trying to function on their iPhone without it and now all the apps are out of date and we cant load new apps.


We have the username but not the password. When we try to recover the password it prompts for a mobile phone number which is not the current one nor do we have access to anything like the one mentioned on screen.


I have looked at previous articles that talk about clicking 'no access to trusted devices' but I dont have access to those options.


Any help appreciated

Posted on Oct 4, 2022 3:45 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 5, 2022 12:25 PM

Hey there ikearns,


Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities. If unable to change the Apple ID password because you no longer have access to the trusted phone number or another trusted device, the best option would be to start an account recovery request using the steps in this link here: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support


What is account recovery?
Account recovery is a process designed to get you back into your Apple ID account when you don’t have enough information to reset your password. For security reasons, it might take several days or longer before you can use your account again. We know this delay is inconvenient, but it's important so that we can keep your account and information safe.

Before you start the account recovery waiting period, try to reset your password. Learn how to reset your Apple ID password on a trusted device or through the Apple Support app on a family member’s iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can also visit an Apple Store and ask to use a device on site. If you set up an account recovery contact, they can also help you reset your password
Use account recovery only as a last resort when you can’t sign in or reset your Apple ID password. 

After you start account recovery
After you request account recovery, you get an email with a confirmation of your request and the date and time of when you can expect to regain access.
- If you submitted your account recovery request with iforgot.apple.com through your device's browser, you should avoid using that device during this period. Using that device might cancel account recovery. 
- To avoid delays, turn off other devices that are signed in with your Apple ID until account recovery is complete. 
When the wait period is over, Apple sends you a text or automated phone call with instructions to regain access to your account. Follow the instructions to immediately regain access to your Apple ID.

In some cases, you might be able to speed up the account recovery process or reset your password immediately by verifying a six-digit code sent to your primary email address. You might also be able to shorten the wait time by providing credit-card details to confirm your identity. If you’re given this option, an authorization request goes to the card issuer.

Check the status of your request
At any time, you can see how long it will be until your account is ready for recovery, or when more information will be available. Just go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID.


Be sure to look over the "After you start account recovery" section carefully, as this can help with preventing any delays in the recovery process.


We hope that's able to help.


Take care.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 5, 2022 12:25 PM in response to ikearns

Hey there ikearns,


Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Communities. If unable to change the Apple ID password because you no longer have access to the trusted phone number or another trusted device, the best option would be to start an account recovery request using the steps in this link here: How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support


What is account recovery?
Account recovery is a process designed to get you back into your Apple ID account when you don’t have enough information to reset your password. For security reasons, it might take several days or longer before you can use your account again. We know this delay is inconvenient, but it's important so that we can keep your account and information safe.

Before you start the account recovery waiting period, try to reset your password. Learn how to reset your Apple ID password on a trusted device or through the Apple Support app on a family member’s iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. You can also visit an Apple Store and ask to use a device on site. If you set up an account recovery contact, they can also help you reset your password
Use account recovery only as a last resort when you can’t sign in or reset your Apple ID password. 

After you start account recovery
After you request account recovery, you get an email with a confirmation of your request and the date and time of when you can expect to regain access.
- If you submitted your account recovery request with iforgot.apple.com through your device's browser, you should avoid using that device during this period. Using that device might cancel account recovery. 
- To avoid delays, turn off other devices that are signed in with your Apple ID until account recovery is complete. 
When the wait period is over, Apple sends you a text or automated phone call with instructions to regain access to your account. Follow the instructions to immediately regain access to your Apple ID.

In some cases, you might be able to speed up the account recovery process or reset your password immediately by verifying a six-digit code sent to your primary email address. You might also be able to shorten the wait time by providing credit-card details to confirm your identity. If you’re given this option, an authorization request goes to the card issuer.

Check the status of your request
At any time, you can see how long it will be until your account is ready for recovery, or when more information will be available. Just go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID.


Be sure to look over the "After you start account recovery" section carefully, as this can help with preventing any delays in the recovery process.


We hope that's able to help.


Take care.

Oct 6, 2022 6:05 AM in response to ikearns

Hey ikearns,


Did they set up an Account Recovery contact? If so, see if these steps can help them get access to their account: Help a friend or family member as their account recovery contact - Apple Support



If not, the account holder would want to initiate the account recovery request at iforgot.apple.com, entering any available information. If account recovery is possible, they'll receive an email with follow up details that should set further expectations about how long it will take.


For further assistance with this, reach out to Apple Support: Contact - Official Apple Support


Take care.


Oct 8, 2022 7:54 AM in response to danakayw

Sadly looks like this is going to be a non-starter after talaking to Apple support today they are telling me everything on that AppleID will be lost and we have to start from scratch. I can understand now why people get so frustrated with Apple. To think that just cause a password cannot be lost and the registered mobile phone number could belong to a contract which was mothballed over 10 years ago that all the photos and documents held in the backups and iCloud will not be lost.


I suppose it makes the choice of what to buy next very easy!

Oct 6, 2022 6:52 AM in response to danakayw

Sadly I dont think there is any recovery contact or similar setup.


Just as a bit of background, the iPhone the account is on is used by my partners mother and we have had no joy in trying to either recover the password or make sense of what has been done to get to this point. I initially thought the account had been compromised but now I am thinking it is down to just bad management. Sadly passwords are changed on the fly without rhyme or reason and then they cannot remember what they were changed to. For instance a Hotmail account was finally recovered yesterday and a new passwword set only to find that they had gone and changed it again within a couple of hours, locking themselves and everyone out of the account again (fortunately we had completed the recovery actions necessary to save us a world of hurt).


I have initiated the recovery but they havent sent anything through to make me think it is progressing much

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Recovering AppleID Account with no access to phone number

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