How do I approve my phone on another device signed into iCloud?

It just keeps waiting for approval...FROM WHERE? Where do I go to approve it?


I tried to sign into iCloud on my pc as I do not have a mac. I tried to sign in on my son's iPad.


There was nowhere to hit approve.

iPhone X, iOS 12

Posted on Sep 18, 2018 10:32 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 22, 2019 9:38 AM


This is the most annoying and inane process that Apple has failed to fully address! To fix this issue you just hit cancel, as the "Two-Factor-Authentication" is actually completed/approved! I spent hours linking device after device and following step-by-step instructions in detail until I wasted an additional 25 minutes sitting on hold over the phone while Apple "Geniuses" did their best to try and read from their support cards/help-sheets for better instructions. Their first answer was to hit the bottom link that is titled (Can't Approve This Device?) DO NOT CLICK and/or FOLLOW THIS PROMPT! It'll prompt you to follow steps of deleting encryption on device that will possibly erase iCloud stored photos, files, contacts, etc.

I refused, and stated this made absolutely no sense and I did not feel comfortable doing this at all! And that in doing so, it completely defeated the process of two factor all together as the soul purpose is an extra security feature to protect your info and/or help make third party Apps run correctly on your device such as G-Suite by Gmail etc. If I wanted to erase and not protect my personal photos etc, I wouldn't back them up to iCloud in the first place!


Finally the "Genius" came back with a great suggestion "that made total logical sense." Just hit cancel.' That it was in fact "already approved!" The "Genius" stated once you're done signing in to iCloud/following all steps it's done approving. Just ingnore the prompt and hit cancel.


Unfortunately for the majority of normal thinking individuals, following all steps including the "final" waiting/loading icon that appears for all of us in a never ending loading cycle; prompting us to "APPROVE Two Factor" is very stressful and doesn't make sense why it would do this if it's in fact already done! However we're just suppose to apparently assume that it is in fact actually done and just to hit cancel.


Reason I was given is that the stuck in limbo icon/process is due to (Keychain,) not TWO FACTOR, even though it's labeled ( TWO FACTOR). Also that it's a known issue that they have just failed to fix even though thousands of people if not millions have been extremely inconvenienced. "No Big deal!"


Long story short, hitting cancel to top left of icon box closes it, and it is setup. After doing so, I would recommend going into your iPhone and/or iPad settings and clicking at the top where your name/iCloud/Apple ID settings are, click

Password & Security. Then click under Two-Factor where it says Trusted Phone Numbers and add a secondary trusted number, to your already added number. This will help you down the road if you ever need to receive passcodes/verification codes but are actually unable to access your phone/device. Avoid this headache as much as possible!


Best of luck!

-iRie Vibes Odin

245 replies

Dec 10, 2018 7:41 AM in response to YellowRose28

still tryin to approve my device no freaking luck. they say apple phones are the best finding out now that they are not. can’t just download ringtones like wit samsung, everything is a freakin passcode n passwords

a simple task to approve my device following the instructions that are not correct is frustrating

make ur sh*t better for the price you all want to sell it for

Jan 16, 2019 11:43 AM in response to tygb

I have NOT entered the security code too many times. I have moved past that step. After I enter the security code correctly it says I need to sign into another device to approve the phone. I have signed into the icloud account on my ipad and on the desktop. There is no place or instruction to approve the device?!?!?!?!?!

I've been on the phone for a total of 4 hours dealing with this and I have more than one iPhone that I haven't had this problem with?!?!?!?

Mar 4, 2019 3:58 PM in response to gail from maine

Hi Gail from Maine,

Thank you I have a follow up question i hope you can help me with please.


When selecting "Reset Protected Data", do we also lose any i-cloud data we might have?


One senior Apple advisor said yes, and another said no. I'm so confused, and really concerned about losing all of my i-cloud data, i-cloud text messages etc.


Do you have any thoughts please?


Thanks again,

KK


This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How do I approve my phone on another device signed into iCloud?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.