Multifactor authentication issue has completely broken my account

Today, I tried signing back into my Apple account and was presented with a prompt to verify my sign in on my iPhone settings. I typed my password in and was shown a multifactor authentication prompt on my Apple Watch. I press "Allow" and put the code in. It doesn't recognize the code. I do this many more times. It doesn't work once. I reset, I use my text message as an authentication method. It literally auto fills in from my text and it says the code is incorrect. Then I eventually get this message, which support have never even seen before:


I'm now completely frozen out of requesting text based MFA codes now and can only sign into iCloud and this website without doing so.



[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 12:56 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 31, 2025 4:09 AM

You seem to be doing all the right things (I don't know that the somewhat generic information provided in earlier posts really tells you anything you haven't already outlined in your posts). In particular when you get a message where Apple says an error is unavailable or unknown, I would contact Apple about this: This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support For some countries look under “Other” listing at the end of each region. Not every country has telephone support.


3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jul 31, 2025 4:09 AM in response to callam163

You seem to be doing all the right things (I don't know that the somewhat generic information provided in earlier posts really tells you anything you haven't already outlined in your posts). In particular when you get a message where Apple says an error is unavailable or unknown, I would contact Apple about this: This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support For some countries look under “Other” listing at the end of each region. Not every country has telephone support.


Jul 31, 2025 1:06 AM in response to callam163

An active internet connection is required for 2FA verification, authentication, and accessing your Apple ID account.


Connecting to Wi-Fi doesn't necessarily mean you're connected to the internet.  --> Internet not available, WiFi and Cellular … - Apple Community


On iOS devices, you may sometimes see that you're connected to a Wi-Fi network, yet experience no actual internet access. This can be confusing, especially when both Wi-Fi and cellular signals are showing, but nothing loads.


Here’s what’s happening:

  1. Wi-Fi without internet: Your iPhone or iPad may connect to a Wi-Fi network (like a router or hotspot), but if that network doesn’t have a working internet connection — due to ISP issues, router problems, or restricted access — you won’t be able to browse or use online services.
  2. "No Internet Connection" warning: iOS tries to detect this. If it finds that the Wi-Fi you're connected to has no access to the internet, you'll see a message like “No Internet Connection” under the Wi-Fi name in Settings.
  3. Why iOS doesn't always switch to cellular: If you’re also on a mobile data plan, your iPhone should switch to cellular if the Wi-Fi is unresponsive. However, iOS doesn’t always do this automatically. There are two features that affect this:
    1. Wi-Fi Assist (Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Assist): This allows cellular data to take over when Wi-Fi is weak, but it may not trigger if the Wi-Fi is technically “connected” but just not working.
    2. Low Data Mode or VPNs can prevent automatic switching.
  4. Troubleshooting tip: If you’re connected to Wi-Fi and suspect a lack of internet, try:
    1. Opening Safari and visiting a reliable website (e.g., apple.com).
    2. Turning Wi-Fi off and back on.
    3. Forgetting the network and reconnecting.
    4. Switching to cellular manually if it’s available and working.



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Multifactor authentication issue has completely broken my account

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