can't receive security code to set up iPhone

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Level 1

6 points

can't receive security code to set up iPhone

So my husband has been using an iPhone 6s and he has upgraded to iPhone 8. Ordered online through our carrier and it arrived today. In preparing to send the old, leased phone back to Sprint, I followed the instructions to backup data and then erase the phone. Bad move! Now I can't seem to activate the new phone because it wants to send a security phone to his cell number...but the phone isn't activated. It is now apparently in Account Recovery status and the latest message is that "status information will be available in 22 hours." We really don't want to have to wait that long! Any suggestions of other measures I can take?

iPad (3rd gen) Wi-Fi + Cellular, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Nov 13, 2017 8:17 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 13, 2017 10:31 PM in response to susanmtbc

Put the SIM card in the new phone have the code sent to the new phone via SMS. You can get text messages during the setup process.

If that doesn't work, activate the new phone as a new device and do not sign in to iCloud. Once the phone is activated, go to appleid.apple.com on a computer or another device and try signing in. Select the option to have a code sent via SMS, and then turn off Two-Factor Authentication once you're signed in. Then, erase device and setup as new only this time sign in to iCloud during setup.

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Answer 2

susanmtbc Author

Level 1

6 points

Nov 14, 2017 7:08 PM in response to susanmtbc

Thanks for the suggestions. We ultimately waited out the time and voila we're in. However, I've been able to retrieve photos but contacts aren't there nor are the apps that were on the other iPhone. So the transfer of all that hasn't happened as smoothly as hoped! Now trying a "restore from iCloud" on the old phone and hoping that we can work it out...

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Answer 3

Nov 13, 2017 10:32 PM in response to susanmtbc

But if he doesn't have a trusted phone number on his Apple ID account or the trusted phone number is incorrect, there is nothing you can do other than wait for account recovery to complete.

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