iCloud account recovery verification code sent to inaccessible phone number

“This verification code is being sent to her phone number ... which obviously she does not have access to any more since the new phone is not set up yet.”

It sounds like you’re saying she still has the same phone number, it’s just not active on her new phone yet. There’s no reason to do account recovery for this if she still has the same phone number.

You’ll go through the iPhone set up steps, but when asked to sign into the Apple ID, you’ll skip signing in to any ID. Always look for additional options in blue. Once the phone number is activated and you’re at the home screen, you’ll go in and erase all content and settings.

Now you can go through the set up process while activated and sign into iCloud.

BrettKav wrote:

I have upgraded my wife's iPhone and erased her old iPhone for sale, however in restoring the new iPhone from backup there is a verification code being requested. This verification code is being sent to her phone number ... which obviously she does not have access to any more since the new phone is not set up yet. So we have to go through iCloud account recovery.

Why on earth can the verification code not be sent to her email instead? The iCloud account recovery process is an absolute disgrace. Days to recover in 2025?? I can recover access to my bank accounts in minutes!! Her phone is critical to her business and the Apple process is costing her.

Does anyone know whether Apple are intending on making the iCloud account recovery process fit for purpose in this modern age?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iCloud account recovery

This link says phone number or email How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support

So your wife didn't have a phone to use even before the icloud recovery, since you sold the old phone prior to setting up the new phone, did I read that correctly.

Why wouldn't you wait until new phone was set up and then erase the old phone, that mistake is on you and not Apple.

Presumably you could recover your financial accounts only after providing the necessary credentials.

Apple is no different.

It’s a bit unclear exactly what is being recovered (i.e. just the phone or her entire Apple Account)?

Did she also not know her Apple Account Password? If not, a security delay is indeed involved.

If she simply “lost” her phone, she might have easily set-up Trusted Numbers which are used to easily setup a new - or replacement - device.

Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support

Regardless, ANY device which is “business critical” should have a thought-out and well-practiced recovery plan.

Apple HAS made this capability available for years.