iPhone 12 Pro Max Apple ID Trusted Phone Number

[Shirasaki]

I still haven't enabled 2FA with Apple because of this very fact. 2FA is a great concept, however is it really for everyone?

(Especially when it can't be turned off after x number of days being activated.)

Yeah. I only recently enter 2FA world cause my organization enforces it. I kept 2FA off for years because locking myself out of my own account completely defeats the purpose of a security system, which is supposed to be designed to lock other guys out but only let you in.

 

[matrix07]

Apple support says there is nothing I can do without that number so all my photos, music, paid tv subscription….everything gone

Could you go to Apple Store personally and have genius looks at it?

 

[jts1207]

Could you go to Apple Store personally and have genius looks at it?

There’s really nothing to look at without having this number that I have no idea how it got tied to my account

 

[matrix07]

There’s really nothing to look at without having this number that I have no idea how it got tied to my account

But it should be a good idea to try to solve this problem in person, shouldn't it? If you could prove you're the owner of that Apple ID by providing your ID to match with photo in that Apple ID perhaps. I just don't think Apple would be enthusiastic to solve this problem for you online.

 

[eyoungren]

Your case is the number one reason I hate 2FA: they never truly think about the scenario where you have only one device to get 2FA code, as If that’s some sort of edge case.
2FA is there to protect the account from unauthorised access. But what’s the point of having 2FA if it locks you outside your own home?

Is that number your closed ones? Your friends? Your relatives?

Yeah. I only recently enter 2FA world cause my organization enforces it. I kept 2FA off for years because locking myself out of my own account completely defeats the purpose of a security system, which is supposed to be designed to lock other guys out but only let you in.

I have the 2FA where iCloud pings a trusted device and asks if you are trying to login (with a map of the location of the device) If so, it gives you a code on the trusted device you can enter on the device you are trying to sign into. Between three or four trusted iPhones and an iPad (only two of which have cellular) I am not dealing with text messages to trusted phone numbers.

That said, I do retain a Google Voice number for this very reason, which I do have on iCloud as a trusted number. And since GV is accessible on just about any device that can run a web browser I can get to my messages.

Personally, I prefer an authenticator app, but companies like my bank don't do that. That's another reason I keep my GV number. That number isn't attached to any device which could be lost or stolen - or forgotten about.

 

[TiggrToo]

Your case is the number one reason I hate 2FA: they never truly think about the scenario where you have only one device to get 2FA code, as If that’s some sort of edge case.

Wrong. You have your recovery email address.

 

[Shirasaki]

Wrong. You have your recovery email address.

Ask OP the same question.

 

[TiggrToo]

Ask OP the same question. I doubt apple would just easily give away your device control by a mere email address.

They do. They email a 6 digit recovery key to it.

 

[Shirasaki]

@jts1207 do you have recovery email address setup? Does apple support staff accept your recovery email address?

 

[Apple_Robert]

If the OP turned on the Recovery Key option, that can also be entered a verification. It doesn't sound like he has that enabled.

Set up a recovery key for your Apple Account - Apple Support

A recovery key is an optional security feature that helps improve the security of your Apple Account. If you lose access to your account, you can use your recovery key to reset your password and regain access.

support.apple.com

 

[jts1207]

I can’t recover anything with just my email. I’ve since set up a new ID and set up the 2FA just to see…..yes it sent the 6 digit number via text to confirm. I know for fact I never verified any other number on the old account

 

[Shirasaki]

They do. They email a 6 digit recovery key to it.

Based on latest reply from OP, recovery email is not being accepted. So no phone number = no account.

 

[jts1207]

Based on latest reply from OP, recovery email is not being accepted. So no phone number = no account.

Correct. Apparently the trusted number is more important than having access to the email associated with the account. You can recover the account if you don’t know your password but know the number and not vice versa

Again this is all crazy because i never verified another number to be associated with my account

 

[TKSX]

The 2 numbers might have been added by a hacker who logged in sccessfully with your apple ID and then make the changes or someone who "borrowed" your phone and then add it in. That's probably how it happened.

 

[CiciLandmark]

Correct. Apparently the trusted number is more important than having access to the email associated with the account. You can recover the account if you don’t know your password but know the number and not vice versa

Again this is all crazy because i never verified another number to be associated with my account

Hi JTS - The exact thing happened to me just recently. I can't recognize the number ending at all associated to my Apple ID, and everything got locked out and I can't do anything about it. Crazy just to think of how it could happen. Did you ever manage to sort out yours?