Apple ID: Can't sign in with two-step verification
Summary
Learn what to do if you have two-step verification turned on for your Apple ID and are unable to sign in.
Products Affected
Apple ID
With two-step verification turned on for your Apple ID, you always will need at least two of the following to sign in:
- Your Apple ID password
- Access to one of your trusted devices
- Your Recovery Key
If you forgot your Apple ID password
Go to iforgot.apple.com to reset your password. You will need to provide your Recovery Key and be able to receive a temporary verification code on one of your trusted devices.
If you lost the trusted device associated with your Apple ID
As long as you still have your Recovery Key and remember your Apple ID password, you can sign in and add a new trusted device to your account. You can also remove any devices you may have lost, sold, or given away.
- Go to My Apple ID (appleid.apple.com), select "Manage your Apple ID," and sign in.
- On the Verify Your Identity screen, select "Unable to receive messages at any of your devices?"
- In the pop-up window, enter your Recovery Key.
- Then, under "Edit your Apple ID," select Password and Security > Trusted devices > Manage.
- Remove the device you no longer wish to use to verify your identity.
- Either verify another device already listed, or select "Set up Find My iPhone" to add a new trusted device to your list.
If you lost your Recovery Key
As long as you remember your Apple ID password and still have access to one of your trusted devices, you can sign in and create a new Recovery Key.
- Go to My Apple ID, select "Manage your Apple ID," and sign in.
- Under Edit your Apple ID, select "Password and Security."
- Under Recovery Key, select Replace Lost Key and follow the onscreen instructions.
Note: Your old Recovery Key will be deactivated immediately and cannot be used to reset your password or access your account.
If you lost two or more of the required sign-in items
As noted above, two-step verification requires at least two of the items below to sign in successfully:
- Your Apple ID password
- Access to one of your trusted devices
- Your Recovery Key
If you have permanently lost any two of these items, you will not be able to sign in or regain access to your account. You will need to create a new Apple ID. You can do so on one of your devices or on the web at My Apple ID.
Additional Information
Learn more about security and your Apple ID.
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