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Update Apple Id Settings requires iPhone passcode and I don't have the phone any more

My mac is showing in sys.prefs that I need to "Update Apple ID settings". When I click continue, I sign in with the apple id and then I am asked to sign in to the mac because icloud wants to make changes, which is fine and I sign in. THEN... I am asked to enter the 6 digit passcode I use to unlock my iPhone. Problem is, that phone was damaged a couple of years ago and is gone! I don't know what that passcode is and don't remember ever setting one anyway! So, I click 'Forgot Passcodes' and it says I can select another device to authorise this mac... but it doesn't offer me to use my ipad so I am stuck with only the one device, this old phone which as I say, is long gone! The only option it offers me is to cancel or 'reset icloud data', and if I select this it tells me that passwords, icloud home and stuff will be permanently deleted!

So! What do I do? How do I update these settings without having a second device? I deleted the iPhone from my account settings/devices, which now only shows this mac and my ipad.... but the update routine described above is still asking me to enter the passcode for the old phone and it still DOES NOT offer me to use the ipad instead!

Any ideas??

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Dec 20, 2022 2:36 AM

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Posted on Dec 20, 2022 5:05 AM

Thank you for taking time to write this Limnos! Much appreciated. Sadly I believe it is the iphone passcode it wants. When I sign in to icloud I get a passcode sent to my mac, but not this one. The message does clearly state iphone passcode...

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5 replies

Dec 20, 2022 4:42 AM in response to alexgater

I don't think it is asking for the iPhone passcode, it is asking for a verification code that is being sent to your trusted devices. What's puzzling is you iPad should be also getting the code.


Read the articles Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support ) and Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support . Various sections contain information that is useful in understanding about the trusted devices (an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that Apple knows is yours) system, and how to get a verification code on a trusted device or at a telephone number.


You can look into adding more ways to get a code such as multiple telephone numbers where you can receive a text or a phone call. This is from the section "About trusted phone numbers and trusted devices" in the article: Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support :


To see, add, or change your trusted phone numbers use one of these methods:

● On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > your name > Password & Security. Next to Trusted Phone Number, tap Edit.

● On a Mac computer choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click your name (or Apple ID). Click Password & Security, then add or remove a trusted phone number.

● Using a web browser: Go to the Account Security section of https://appleid.apple.com .


If you had set up an Account Recovery Contact ( Set up an account recovery contact - Apple Support ) you can also get a code that way.


If you can’t sign in, access a trusted device, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery to regain access to your account. This article explains how to recover your Apple ID after a waiting period - How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support




Dec 21, 2022 3:30 AM in response to Limnos

Thanks again Limnos. Yes the ipad is on the same ID, but I'll try and see if I can fix getting it to show up on the trusted devices. Otherwise I'm a bit stumped! Appreciate you taking the time and I will update if I get anywhere with this. I have massive anxieties around updating and so that may have something to do with it!

Dec 20, 2022 5:22 AM in response to alexgater

You're right, it does say that. I think Apple is allowing some shortcuts these days in terms of verification between trusted devices. It is odd that your iPad is not considered a trusted device sine I presume you use the same Apple ID on that and have signed in on it. Try adding a telephone number which can be any kind of telephone. I am presuming you can still log into your Apple ID (many people who post here are in a mess because they have forgotten their log-in information and have no trusted devices).

Dec 21, 2022 9:25 AM in response to alexgater

One thing Apple says in much of its trouble shooting documentation and in the ersponses made by community specialists on the forums is make sure your software is up to date. That's not to say this is an absolute must (frankly everything I own is well outside of Apple's support time window), but they don't want an issue to be caused my an old piece of software no longer knowing how to interact with something new.

Update Apple Id Settings requires iPhone passcode and I don't have the phone any more

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