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Icloud is asking for passcode for an old iPhone

Many years ago I had a work iPhone and a personal one - both were registered on my iCloud account.


When I left the company, I handed back my work phone.


I needed to update the iOS on my personal phone so I tried to sign in to my iCloud account. It requested my AppleID (fine) password (fine) passcode (fine) but then it requested the passcode for my old work phone, which was probably changed/reset but another employee. In fact it was an iPhone 6 so has probably been recycled by now.


On iTunes I can access my account and only my personal phone is registered/visible there so I can't delete the old work phone there. But my personal phone won't let me into my iCloud account direct (because it wants my old work phone passcode) - I have to do it on my laptop through iTunes.


Any ideas?

iPhone 11, iOS 16

Posted on May 8, 2023 9:20 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 8, 2023 9:24 AM

Hello,


What you are seeing may be what is discussed in this Apple article: Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support

With two-factor authentication you may need to verify your identity using a trusted device generating a verification code when trying to conduct certain activities. If you use iOS 11.3 or later on your iPhone, you might not need to enter a verification code. In some cases, your trusted phone number can be automatically verified in the background on your iPhone.


The article also describes other ways to verify with a trusted device or an Account Recovery Contact.


If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery ( How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity.


To edit your list of trusted items go to the section: About trusted phone numbers and trusted devices in the document Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support


To see, add, or change your trusted phone numbers:

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

- On a Mac: 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.

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


3 replies
Question marked as Best reply

May 8, 2023 9:24 AM in response to AppleHayes

Hello,


What you are seeing may be what is discussed in this Apple article: Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support

With two-factor authentication you may need to verify your identity using a trusted device generating a verification code when trying to conduct certain activities. If you use iOS 11.3 or later on your iPhone, you might not need to enter a verification code. In some cases, your trusted phone number can be automatically verified in the background on your iPhone.


The article also describes other ways to verify with a trusted device or an Account Recovery Contact.


If you find you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery ( How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support ) to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity.


To edit your list of trusted items go to the section: About trusted phone numbers and trusted devices in the document Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support


To see, add, or change your trusted phone numbers:

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

- On a Mac: 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.

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


Icloud is asking for passcode for an old iPhone

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