How long did it take to recover your apple id?

I looked into the suggested solutions before my post. Sadly I'm too simple minded and got confused. The easy solution that worked for me unfortunately requires a macbook:

Click on the apple icon  (on the very top bar) > System preferences > iCloud > click on"Forgot Apple ID or Password"?

Follow the instructions and I got my account back in several seconds.

(Find a possible solution at the bottom)

I love Apple but honestly: This is ridiculous. Look at the amount of people complaining about this and nothing has been done so far. I talked to Apple support and they told me "It might take a few days". I waited for 8 days. Not sure what's Apple's definition of "a few days" is but I am sure that it shouldn't be longer than 4 or 5 days. How can such a big and rich company just ignore the fact that so many people are stuck in the same **** situation where the account reset just takes forever???? Very very disappointing, Apple.

The only thing I can recommend you guys is that you go to your phone network provider (Vodafone etc.) and ask for a new Sim Card with your old phone number. Worked for me, but still mad at Apple.

I just had this happen to me. My 13mo old was messing with my phone and re-entered my security code wrong too many times and Poof! My phone was erased. I have work email on it and their security software requires this function. Well lo and behold I couldn't access my phone to get the 2 step verification code. I started the Account Recovery process by getting on Facebook Messenger (on my PC) and having the code sent to my mom's phone. But, after reading this thread I panicked about how long it might take. I have no landline. Soooo, I decided to setup my phone and create a brand new Apple ID. I had a junk email address I used (or you might also have to make a new email account too). Then once I could get into the phone, I could see all the codes in the texts!!!! Sooo, I went to icloud.com on my PC, and was able to enter the code! I immediately turned off 2 step verification! (Which also requires a code, in all I had to receive about 3 text codes). I was just going to add 2 more trusted phone numbers, but my husband isn't home, and you have to enter codes sent to the phone numbers in order to add them as trusted numbers. Once I was certain the verification was turned off, I master reset the phone (Yes, you have to agree to erase the phone, and it seems scary). Then when I set it up again, I used my previous AppleID (the one I'd been locked out of). It also asks you to turn-on 2 step verification when signing in, just click "Other Options" instead. So in about 2 hours once the backup is complete I will be back in business.

I am not sure if I'll turn 2 step back on. It seems a risky option when your only Apple device is your phone. If 2 step could be done by sending an email, that would be different. But it will only send codes, and only to an Iphone, Ipad, or Mac PC.

If I do, I'll be sure to add some more trusted numbers. But even then, you'd have to be able to get those codes without using your phone to contact the owners of the trusted numbers. So a bit of a pain. If you don't have access to another internet device (like another smartphone or a PC) I am not sure how you'd fix it without waiting for the Recovery process.

Hope this helps anyone else who stumbles on this thread in a frenzy, like I did.

I know when I went through it apple support told me to go to iforgot.apple.com and enter in some extra information.

Then I would get an email confirming it was me and would speed up the process.

Still took a while but I like to think that might have helped. This is what they gave me.

Regain access to your Apple ID with two-factor authentication account recovery - Apple Support

So I just got back in. Call for help... Contact Apple Support It took two minutes.

Here is what I learned.

If you have two factor authentication turned on, as I do, you can reset the password from your TRUSTED device. In my case that was my iPhone. Because the device is TRUSTED you don't need to remember the old password.

Go to:

Settings > [tap your name and picture at top] >Passwords & Security > Change Password

Previously I had attemped to use Recover Your Apple ID - Apple which 3-4 screens in offers this:

You can reset your password from one of your other devices or using your trusted phone number.

Which I skipped. Apparently people skip right past this screen and go to the final recover page. It sounds like because two factor is on and the trusted device is still active somewhere nothing happens and you dont get an email or recovery instructions.

I hope this helps someone.

I have the answer if you are setup with 2 factor authentication. Funny that apple support call could not supply this answer.

I tried the self reset at https://iforgot.apple.com/password/verify/appleid IT gave me a 18 hour then a 4 day wait. Called as it seemed like a ridiculous process that i should be sent automatically to my phone being a trusted device. They said i had to wait.

Then i figured it out on my own, I used the find my iphone app or website and selected forgot password and this triggered the automatic send of a PIN code and ability to reset my password on the spot.

Why is this not in apples knowledge base?

GypsyMissy wrote:

My Apple ID was disabled after I had some credit card fraud. However I have tried to recover it for 4 months now, and they send me a date and it’s never fixed!!! I’ve reset my password, logged in and out on my devices...nothing!!! I will have to call and have an actual person reset it as I’m done wasting time!!! I would create a new one, but then I’ll lose all my info. It shouldn’t be this hard to reset a disabled Apple ID!!! 😡

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support

Hello

I am facing the similar issue with account recovery for one of my devices. I received an email regarding the account recovery request from Apple on 27th January 2017. However, up til now i have not received any support or even a notification how the account will be recovered. Kindly guide me how i will be able to recover the ID.

Regards

This is ridiculous! A few days for recovery?? I haven't forgotten my password. My wife typed it incorrectly, and now Apple is making me recover my password, which I haven't forgotten! And a few days???? Apple *****. I'm switching to Amazon and Google.

iTom_uTom wrote:

This is ridiculous! A few days for recovery?? I haven't forgotten my password. My wife typed it incorrectly, and now Apple is making me recover my password, which I haven't forgotten! And a few days???? Apple *****. I'm switching to Amazon and Google.

Amazon is out of the phone operating system business. Google has a similar procedure for password recovery that also takes a couple of days. So, certainly buy the tool that best meets your needs but, recognize that the thing you're ranting about will be the same.

What a shame, the worst service I have experienced so far. It takes me days to reset my apple id password. Very inconvenient. I will never use iphone again and will recommend others not to use iphone.

This was sooooo helpful! I was panicking until I read this post! The only issue I ran into was it wouldn't let me turn off the 2 step verification but I just added a second trusted # and it all worked out!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

i did the account recovery process and i've got the email confirmation , after all these they told me they will sent the instructions to recover my account by text message to my phone number after few days. how long that they replied you when you got the phone number again ??

I'm having the same issue. Funny part is the password i put in was correct and saying error until my account got locked. now calling the support but the advise is to wait. The issue is, i am using the apple id to my applications. Now, more than a month waiting.. still no answer. And the friendly advise was, make a new apple id. As if that is easy?!!! The guy was not listening but bragging that he is the director of apple blah blah blah. Awful customer service, named khalid of UAE!!! you are not helping amigo!!! stop blabbering!!! Instead, listen to the topic and don't interrupt!!!

Apple FIX this issue and don't make it too hard for us!

I've been waiting for 2 weeks now. Called Apple support and they say have to wait for the recovery process and there is nothing else they can do. A lot of critical impact can happen when people can't access their phone data.