I tried resetting my password, now completely locked out of Apple ID account

Using another Trusted Device or Trusted Phone number that you would have previously set up, the password is reset immediately. If you are having to answer Security Questions then you are using outdated protocols for account security and should have set up Two Factor Authentication. There are no Security Questions when using 2FA.

Without a Trusted Device or a previously set up Trusted Phone number, then you are forced to use Account Recovery and a waiting period is required if you use that method. To be clear, there is no waiting period when using 2FA and you have either a Trusted Device or a Trusted Phone number to verify your account.

Two factor authentication has become industry standard for several years now. When I didn’t have another trusted source for my Google account, Google’d account recovery process to lol 2 weeks before I could reset my password and regain access. When my mom didn’t have another trusted source Apple’s account recovery process took her 13 days. 🤷‍♀️

Also, for complete clarity, Account recovery is a two phase process once started. Phase 1 is the evaluation period, usually 24-72 hours but can be longer or shorter. This phase says Apple is evaluating your info and you’ll get an update after the posted time is over (people mistakenly think it means they’ll be able to reset the password immediately after this first phase.)

Once phase 1 is done it enters phase 2 where https://iforgot.apple.com/ will give you the final amount of days (can be weeks) you’ll wait. On that final day you’ll get a text/email, follow that text/email immediately.

kfancypants1 wrote:

I want a good, honest answer about why consumers have to wait 24 hours to verify.

Nobody here can answer that. We are all just users like yourself. Unless Apple provides a reason in its documentation, it is what it is.