Confirm iphone passcode to keep using icloud

I have this message in my settings app and cannot remove it, not because i dont know how to, but because i have forgotten my old passcode that i had on my phone.


in short summary, i changed my iphone passcode to 6 digits, forgot the passcode, changed it back to 4 digits using recovery mode, and now this message pops up asking to confirm the 6 digit passcode, which i have no idea what it is


what can i do at this point? How can i bypass this 6 digit wall.

iPhone 14, iOS 17

Posted on Oct 7, 2023 7:07 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 8, 2023 3:06 PM

Hi goatanony23,


The prompt you are seeing is related to iCloud encrypted data. Per iCloud data security overview:


"End-to-end encrypted data can be decrypted only on your trusted devices where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. No one else can access your end-to-end encrypted data — not even Apple — and this data remains secure even in the case of a data breach in the cloud. If you lose access to your account, only you can recover this data, using your device passcode or password, recovery contact, or recovery key."(emphasis added)


and also:


"If you enable Advanced Data Protection and then lose access to your account, Apple will not have the encryption keys to help you recover it — you’ll need to use your device passcode or password, a recovery contact, or a personal recovery key. Because the majority of your iCloud data will be protected by end-to-end encryption, you’ll be guided to set up at least one recovery contact or recovery key before you turn on Advanced Data Protection. You must also update all your Apple devices to a software version that supports this feature."


Without that password it would not be possible to restore end-to-end encrypted data from iCloud. If you turn off the services outlined in that article that indicate they use "End-to-end" and "Trusted Devices" in the chart the prompt should be removed. Recovery of that data without the password would not be possible.


Regards.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 8, 2023 3:06 PM in response to goatanony23

Hi goatanony23,


The prompt you are seeing is related to iCloud encrypted data. Per iCloud data security overview:


"End-to-end encrypted data can be decrypted only on your trusted devices where you’re signed in with your Apple ID. No one else can access your end-to-end encrypted data — not even Apple — and this data remains secure even in the case of a data breach in the cloud. If you lose access to your account, only you can recover this data, using your device passcode or password, recovery contact, or recovery key."(emphasis added)


and also:


"If you enable Advanced Data Protection and then lose access to your account, Apple will not have the encryption keys to help you recover it — you’ll need to use your device passcode or password, a recovery contact, or a personal recovery key. Because the majority of your iCloud data will be protected by end-to-end encryption, you’ll be guided to set up at least one recovery contact or recovery key before you turn on Advanced Data Protection. You must also update all your Apple devices to a software version that supports this feature."


Without that password it would not be possible to restore end-to-end encrypted data from iCloud. If you turn off the services outlined in that article that indicate they use "End-to-end" and "Trusted Devices" in the chart the prompt should be removed. Recovery of that data without the password would not be possible.


Regards.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Confirm iphone passcode to keep using icloud

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.