Access Apple ID without other Apple devices

Question

Access Apple ID without other Apple devices

Hello, I just started to use a Macbook Pro for my job, and this is my very first time using an Apple product. I created an Apple ID and I currently own an Android phone, I am able to access my Apple ID from appleid.apple.com by clicking "didn't receive verification code?" and that sends a text message to my phone. The problem is whenever I try to login to the App Store I get an error: "An Apple ID verification code is required to sign in. Type your password followed by the verification code shown on your other devices."

There is no option to send a text message this way and I am not able to use my Apple ID from my laptop, what ca I do? Am I forced to buy an iOS device just to be able to log in to my Apple ID? thank you.

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.4)

Posted on Jun 6, 2017 6:44 PM

Reply

Answer 1

John Galt

Level 10

154,756 points

Jun 8, 2017 2:16 PM in response to cosmoilogical

Is Apple forcing me to buy a second device just to use their features?

Certainly not. As I understand your problem, you are not able to receive a verification code on your Mac or sent via SMS to a trusted phone number, and you can find no way to either determine, correct, or provide that information.

Contact Apple starting with the following: Contact Support. It will lead you to an appropriate solution, or to speak with an Apple representative who will resolve it. Please let me know how that goes. Thanks!

Reply

Answer 2

Jun 8, 2017 1:16 PM in response to John Galt

This is what happens when I try to log in from App Store:

And this when I try to log in from iCloud in System Preferences:

Apple thinks I own a second device in which I must verify my MacBook, but I don't, the difference with the web log in is that I can use my recovery number as an option there. Is Apple forcing me to buy a second device just to use their features? Because I feel like they are doing it.

Thank you Josh.

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 7, 2017 12:23 PM in response to John Galt

Hello, I appreciate your efforts in helping me John, I checked and I am using 2FA method, I think Apple made it obligatory since I do not remember changing from a two-step method.

Some people say there is a way to turn it off from the web, but I do not have such option:

The only way I can access my Apple ID is by clicking "didn't get a verification code?" and then selecting "text me", that is the only way I get a sms with a code.

But there is no such option when I try to login from App Store, I have done it several times expecting it was my phone/carrier fault but I never get the code. Thank you again.

Reply

Answer 4

Jun 7, 2017 3:34 AM in response to John Galt

Hello, thanks for the help John. That means I should receive a code whenever I try to login with my Apple ID, but since I don't have another Apple (trusted) device, I don't get a verification code. I only have a "recovery phone number", but that only works for the web, and not for Mac OS X.

Reply

Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

154,756 points

Jun 7, 2017 7:49 AM in response to cosmoilogical

I need some help determining what could be wrong. Are you using two-step verification or two-factor authorization?

About two-step verification and SMS - Apple Support

Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

You can determine that by reading "Confirm which feature you're using" in Switch from two-step verification to two-factor authentication - Apple Support.

... since I don't have another Apple (trusted) device, I don't get a verification code.

The "trusted device" can be anything that can receive SMS messages. It most certainly does not have to be an iPhone, or any phone for that matter. All it needs is a phone number. Of course in most cases that's a phone, but there are services that can relay SMS messages to you in other ways. There are regional and carrier limitations, so investigate that in the first link above.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is infinitely more preferable than two-step verification. If you are using two-step, change it to 2FA by following the "Switch from... " instructions above.

Reply

Answer 6

John Galt

Level 10

154,756 points

Jun 6, 2017 9:05 PM in response to cosmoilogical

"Type your password followed by the verification code shown on your other devices."

That instruction is meant to be followed literally. When you enter your password, append the six digit verification code you received to it.

In other words if your Apple ID password is My2FluffyKittens and the six digit number is 123456, then type My2FluffyKittens123456 in the password field.

Reply

Answer 7

John Galt

Level 10

154,756 points

Jun 7, 2017 2:46 PM in response to cosmoilogical

2FA is great once it works, the problem is that I set it up so long ago I forgot what may have happened the first time I used it with the App Store. I don't recall it being this difficult though.

As I understand, you can log in to https://appleid.apple.com/ with your Apple ID successfully?

Can you open the App Store > Store menu > View My Account? Is that where you are encountering the 2FA roadblock?

Try this:  (Apple menu) > System Preferences > iCloud. Then, click the Account Details button. You might be prompted for your Apple ID password, so try entering it when you do, and hopefully 2FA won't prevent progress. Determine if you can get to the point where a subwindow will open with tabs labeled General, Contact, Security, Devices, and Payment. It's the Security tab that will contain your trusted phone numbers and get verification codes to enter when needed, and the Devices tab that lists your trusted devices that can receive verification codes.

Can you do any of that?

Reply