Unable to authenticate iPhone Xs max (two-factor authentication problem)

Question

Unable to authenticate iPhone Xs max (two-factor authentication problem)

I have just upgraded to the iPhone XS max and there isn’t an option to disable 2-factor authentication. I am on iOS 12.0.1 (the latest) and every time I try to authenticate my new phone using my other trusted & authenticated devices which are signed into my iCloud (Mac book pro, old iPhone 7 Plus) the process fails. Either the screen freezes after being prompted to enter my device pin, or if it proceeds beyond that point, it freezes saying ...waiting for authentication from your other trusted devices. But nothing pops up on any of my other devices to do this AND my iPhone I’m trying to authenticate doesn’t give me the option to select “never received code” - it never moves on to that screen. Attached are screenshots of the 2 parts of the process my phone freezes on.

iPod nano, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Oct 20, 2018 4:51 AM

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Answer 1

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Oct 21, 2018 9:23 AM in response to Babydoctor1982

Hey Babydoctor1982,

It sounds like you’re having some issues with two-factor authentication, because you're not receiving the verification code on your trusted devices. I'd like to help out.
Here's a great article with information about two-factor authentication, but I've highlighted the steps you'll want to take since you don't have access to a trusted device. Here's the article in full: Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

What if I don’t have access to a trusted device or didn't receive a verification code?

If you're signing in and don’t have a trusted device handy that can display verification codes, you can have a code sent to your trusted phone number via text message or an automated phone call instead. Click Didn't Get a Code on the sign in screen and choose to send a code to your trusted phone number. You can also get a code directly from Settings on a trusted device. Learn how to get a verification code.

If you use iOS 11.3 or later on your iPhone, you might not need to enter a verification code. In some cases, your trusted phone number can be automatically verified in the background on your iPhone. It’s one less thing to do, and your account is still protected with two-factor authentication.

If you're not able to log in to your account to manage your trusted devices, you'll need to request account recovery to regain access to your Apple ID: Recover your Apple ID with two-factor authentication account recovery - Apple Support

Take care!

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Answer 2

Oct 21, 2018 2:23 PM in response to Joseph_S.

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

I have tried to go down this route already - the issue is I never get to the screen where I can click “didn’t get code”

If u look at the 2 screenshots I uploaded in my original post, u can see the 2 different stages that the two-factor authentication keeps freezing on my phone

Thanks

AKM

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Unable to authenticate iPhone Xs max (two-factor authentication problem)

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