Two-Step Verification: Locked Out - How can I regain access?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Two-Step Verification: Locked Out - How can I regain access?

So, this is probably pretty stupid of me to ask, but I'll ask anyway.

About a month ago, my iPhone broke, and was said that repairs could not have been made (but luckily I backed up all of my data to iCloud and iTunes right before it happened). So I bought a new iPhone 6 weeks after gathering enough money, and restored all of the data.

But here's the problem: When I try to log in to my Apple ID / iCloud, it brings up the "Two-Step Verification" window. Thing is, the only device I trusted was my old (now broken) iPhone. And I never set up a trusted phone number either, so now I'm basically locked out of my Apple ID. I can't even log on the website from my iMac, so I created a new temporary Apple ID for asking this.

Is there any way I can possibly retrieve my account? I don't know much of how Apple IDs work, so it would really be helpful if I can get some information on how to solve this predicament of mine. (I don't want to lose years-worth of data, please 😢)

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.5, null

Posted on Aug 4, 2017 7:46 AM

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Answer 1

LACAllen

Level 8

43,434 points

Aug 5, 2017 12:22 PM in response to Mythless

If you have started account recovery from iforgot.apple.com, you can update and monitor the process at iforgot.apple.com.

If you started it from a trusted device, check on that trusted device.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204921

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Answer 2

LACAllen

Level 8

43,434 points

Aug 5, 2017 5:33 PM in response to LACAllen

No.

This is a totally automated process. It can't be expedited in any way. You will receive a one-time email that tells you when your account will be ready for recovery.

You have no option but to wait for that time.

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Answer 3

Aug 4, 2017 5:18 PM in response to Mythless

Are you really using 2-step verification and not two-factor authentication? - the difference is important. The phrasing of one of hour sentences tends to imply you are using the latter, though you do specifically say the former.

If you are using the more recently introduced two-factor authentication and don't have a trusted device or phone number, Apple say:

'If you can’t sign in, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery to regain access to your account. Account recovery is an automatic process designed to get you back in to your account as quickly as possible while denying access to anyone who might be pretending to be you. It might take a few days—or longer—depending on what specific account information you can provide to verify your identity.'

However if you are using two-step verification you need two of three things: the password (which you know), a trusted device to receive a code as an SMS (which you don't have), and the Recovery Key which you were given when you opened the method and were told to keep safe. If you have no trusted device, and have lost the Recovery Key, then you are locked out and no-one, including Apple, can help you.

So as you see it depends on which method you are using.

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Answer 4

Mythless Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 4, 2017 9:59 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Thank you for your response, and yes, I did confuse Two-Step Verification. My problem actually relates with Two-Factor Authentication

As of this post, I've requested an account recovery. Though, I did not see any method to provide specific information during the process. Do you perhaps know how I can do so?

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Answer 5

Aug 5, 2017 7:15 PM in response to Mythless

I sympathize with you on this as I had this problem last weekend and had to use my husband's cell phone as an alternate device. Once they tell you you're in recovery, they say it can take days. But, I was surprised that mine took maybe three hours and I have a lot of stuff on my iPhone 5S. Bravo for keeping your iPhone backed up because that was a relief to me too! I hope yours goes quickly too.

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Answer 6

Aug 5, 2017 7:16 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Thank you for your reply, I'm going to cut and paste it because I did go through this last weekend, but I'd like to have a copy of the overall procedure, although I hope it never happens again! I was doing their latest update and the iPhone got "stuck".

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Answer 7

LACAllen

Level 8

43,434 points

Aug 5, 2017 7:21 PM in response to Mythless

One more consideration...

Have you given the system the credit card number that was used when you set up the 2FA?

If the system has the trusted phone number, even if you no longer have the phone and the orgibal credit card number, your recovery will be much faster.

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