Unable to Reset Apple ID Security Questions

What does: we don't have sufficient information to reset your security questions mean?

If you are seeing this 'Cannot Reset Apple ID Security Questions' message means that you didn't provide the correct details to prove who you are.

See this Apple article: If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions

If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support

👉Scroll to Reset your security questions

Reset your security questions

1. Go to iforgot.apple.com.
2. Enter your Apple ID, then select Continue.
3. Choose the option to reset your security questions, then select Continue.
4. Enter your Apple ID password, then select Continue. 
5. Follow the onscreen steps to verify your identity. The information you’re asked to provide may vary based on your account details and other factors. If you don't get any options to verify your identity, you can't reset your security questions at this time.
6. Choose new security questions and answers and select Continue. See our tips for choosing security questions and keeping your account secure. 

After you reset your security questions, you might want to set up two-factor authentication instead. It's the best way to keep your account secure, and you won't need to remember any security questions. You can set up two-factor authentication right from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 9 or later or your Mac with OS X El Capitan or later.

If you answer your security questions incorrectly too many times in a row, you temporarily can't use your security questions. Try to reset your questions after the waiting period ends.

Click here for more support and assistance.

I spent an hour on a call with apple support and i think i've figured out how to handle it.

Context:

• I know my password, but i do not know the security answers (in fact, someone hacked into my account and changed my security questions/answers).
• I have a Apple device (in this case, i used a macbook, but support agent said i could have done it through iOS).
• I was also going through the deathloop of i know my password, and can't get past the security questions, and can't chnage the security question since it's asking me to answer it in order to reset it

1. Login to your iOS or MacOS. For some reason, it seems that you can log into your iOS or MacOS devices (via icloud login) without the security question.
2. It prompted me to turn on 2FA either via Text or Phone
   1. Set that up
3. Go back to appleid.apple.com and login with password, it should now ask your for 2FA rather than security question

Voila. You are good now. It SEEMS like when you look at the Security Questions Support page (Change your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support (CA)), I get the sense that once you set up 2FA, they will no longer ask you for security questions anymore. In fact, you cannot find it anywhere within your account security page anymore. I was even doing share screen with the support agent and she was baffled that it wasn't there. So I'm pretty sure that Apple has some sort of Automation that will drop all security questions from your account, once you have set up 2FA.

Hope this is helpful.

Several years ago Apple transitioned to using two factor authentication instead of security questions. You can continue to use security questions if you already use them and they are working for you, but if you have problems then they no longer get direct support. You can try the directions in this support article If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions - Apple Support but the article is labeled "archived" and may contain information that no longer applies. If the instructions work then fine; if they do not (e.g., you see “not enough information”*) then you will have to change to the newer security method if you can. Over the past few years Apple has been persistently encouraging users to switch to the newer two factor authentication security system. For those who have disregarded their encouraging, Apple will likely only help you to now change to two factor authentication, if even that is possible. Follow the instructions in the "Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID" section in this support article --> Two-factor authentication for Apple Account - Apple Support to try to change to two factor authentication.

If you still need help, contact Apple Account support at this link ➞ https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=cups&PGF=PGF63005

Select "Other Apple Account Topics", then "Security concerns or account compromised." This will give you a chat or telephone call option.

If Apple can not or will not help you transition to two factor authentication then it is quite possible you will have to simply abandon the old account and everything it contained.

Good luck!

*See the third page of this discussion https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254831093 Some people talk about getting out of a “loop” by logging in a different way. I am not really following what they are talking about but maybe you can see if it helps.

Hi,

It sounds like you have already tried the reset procedure and it isn't working. If you get a message about not having 'sufficient information', you will not be able to reset your security questions.* Realize that several years ago Apple transitioned to using to two factor authentication instead of security questions and has been encouraging users to switch to the newer security system. Your next recourse will be try to change to two factor authentication as outlined in this article --> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support Follow the instructions in the section "Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID"

If you wish to speak with Apple about this, contact with Apple ID account security using the information in this document --> Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support

____

*Dec. 2022 post by Apple Community Specialist K_Faith in the thread I’ve tried resetting my security question… - Apple Community

"If you’ve forgotten your security questions, there isn’t a way for Apple to reset them for you, or another way to access your account. You would need to create a new Apple ID, which also means you won’t have access to previous purchases or data stored in iCloud."

Solved the problem!

Old Apple ID account created many years ago.

While I was able to reset the password, I couldn't get any further, as yes, it kept asking me security questions for which I just didn't know the answers.

I went to Apple Music, and in the account tab tried to sign in. Then (ta-da!!!!) the system prompted me if I want to turn on the 2-factor authorization for this account, I said yes, entered my phone number, got the code and since then everything works!

If you’re unable to reset your Apple ID security questions because you’re stuck in a loop or receiving a "sufficient information" error, unfortunately, you can't reset the questions. Apple no longer supports resetting security questions for older accounts. Instead, you should enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for enhanced security.

For assistance, follow these steps:

1. Set up 2FA: Follow Apple's guide (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915) to enable 2FA.

2. Contact Apple Support: If you still need help, contact Apple for direct assistance with your Apple ID security. You can reach them (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232).

Be careful, I have been down this rabbit hole. Very frustrating.

I was logged into my account on my phone.

the AppleID was setup many centuries ago when security was very different with no security questions that I remember.

So when I tried to login to my AppleID online it asked for answer to security questions which obviously I couldn't answer.

It took me a while to remember that I had upgraded the IOS on my phone the day before and there was something I hadn't finished setting up. Account security.

Once I completed this on the phone no more "whats your favourite kinds rock" questions

Just received a notification on my trusted phone with the security key. Happy days

I've had this problem for at least 5 years - I've tried contacting Apple every year or two to see if someone can fix it and they never can. Someone had maliciously used my email address to create an account and so I had no idea what the security questions were...

The 2FA trick works!

I tried to log in from a windows computer first, and while it gave the 2FA option, that failed... but when I logged in from a mac it overrode the stupid security questions. Amazing.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254831093?answerId=260679492022&sortBy=rank#260679492022

This has worked out fantastically! Thanks a lot for the help and clear direction as I was getting beyond unhappy if you know what I mean.

The hint by "Community User" [Aug 15, 2024] has worked perfectly fine for me. I have an iPad already registered to my account, through which I managed to activate 2FA, as suggested, thus getting rid of the security questions. Quite helpful info, very much appreciated!

Fantastically helpful, I've finally escaped from the loop of not being able to reset security questions for which the answers aren't recognised. I logged into my Mac Book - once in, entered my apple id details and it just asked for the password as suggested above. I correctly entered that and was immediately prompted to set up 2FA, which is now all working for me.

I’m ForGot To forgot.apple.com to reset my security questions

I’m forgot.apple.com to reset my security questions

I am not seeing where you were trying to sign in and getting this "death loop".

That is basically upgrading to two factor authentication on what is already essentially a known ans secured device, so it presumably is trusting you.

Yes, turning on 2FA replaces security questions completely.

I am having the issue and seem to be caught in the same loop. Any ideas on how to get the security questions reset?