New iPhone Stuck on Apple Account Verification — Unable to Receive Verification Code

I’ve been trying to set up my new iPhone since around 2:30 PM, and it’s already 6:33 PM, but I still haven’t been able to use it.

The main problem is the Apple Account verification. During the setup process, my iPhone asked me to enter a six-digit verification code. It said the code had been sent to my other trusted Apple devices, including my MacBook Air, but my Mac never received any code.

I tried checking my Mac’s Apple Account settings and the Two-Factor Authentication section. My MacBook Air is listed as a trusted device, and I’m signed in to the same Apple Account. However, there is no “Get a Verification Code” option. I remember having that option on the same Mac last year, but it’s no longer there now. My Mac is currently running macOS 26.6.2.

I then selected “Didn’t Get a Code” on my iPhone. I tried resending the code to my MacBook Air, but it still didn’t receive anything. I also selected the option saying that I couldn’t access my MacBook Air, which gave me the option to send the code to my trusted phone numbers.

I have two trusted phone numbers on my Apple Account. I tried both of them multiple times, but neither one received an SMS or a phone call. When I tried to send the code to the numbers, I got an error saying: “Cannot verify identity. Verification code cannot be sent to this phone number at this time. Please try again later.”

I also checked the Security Keys section on my Mac because I wondered if that could be the reason why “Get a Verification Code” was missing. However, there are no security keys set up on my account. The page only gives me the option to “Add Security Key.” I also tried adding another trusted phone number, but that failed as well.

At one point, somehow, the verification finally worked and I was able to continue the setup. I reached the “Restore from iCloud” stage and then the “Transfer Your Apps & Data” screen. I thought the problem was finally solved, but then the iPhone went back to asking for the verification code again.

I’ve already tried restoring from an iCloud backup, but I couldn’t complete it because of the verification issue. I also can’t use “From Another iPhone” because my previous iPhone has already been erased and reset. I considered choosing “Don’t Transfer Anything,” but even that still requires the Apple Account verification code, so I can’t even skip the data transfer and get to the Home Screen.

I’m especially worried because all of my important data is on my phone, including my chats, photos, and other information. I also need my phone for communication, internet access, banking, and access to my money. I’m supposed to travel tomorrow, so having a phone that I can’t even get into is becoming a serious problem.

I’ve been troubleshooting this for about four hours now and I’ve already tried the Mac verification, resending the code, both trusted phone numbers, SMS, phone calls, iCloud restore, and the other transfer options. Nothing has worked consistently.

I’m exhausted and honestly just need to know what the safest way forward is without losing my iCloud backup, photos, chats, or other data.