Set up a recovery key for your Apple Account
A recovery key is an optional security feature that helps improve the security of your Apple Account. If you forgot your Apple Account password, your recovery key can help you regain access to your account.
What’s a recovery key?
If you set up a recovery key and can’t provide it when you lose access to your account, you’ll be locked out of your account permanently.
A recovery key is a 28-character code that you can use, along with a trusted phone number and an Apple device, to help you regain access to your Apple Account. If you use Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, a recovery key can also help you access your end-to-end encrypted iCloud data. This feature is optional.
When you set up a recovery key, you turn off Apple’s standard account recovery process.
Instead, you must use your recovery key and your trusted phone number to reset your Apple Account password.
You should print a copy of your recovery key or write it down. If you lose it, Apple can’t provide you with your recovery key.
Without your recovery key, you might lose access to all your Apple Account data.
This gives you more control of your account recovery methods and can help prevent an attacker from gaining access to and taking control of your account. Additionally, when you change certain information about your Apple Account, you might be asked for your recovery key. For example, if you add a new trusted phone number, you’ll be asked for your recovery key.
Keep a copy of your key in a safe place, and consider storing it in more than one place. Don’t store your recovery key in your Apple Passwords app, iCloud Photos, Notes, or iCloud Drive. If you lose access to your Apple Account, you won’t be able to open these apps to find it.
Before you set up a recovery key
Decide on a safe place where you’ll keep a printed copy of your recovery key. You can also give a copy of your recovery key to a trusted family member.
Update your device to the latest software version. You need iOS 14, iPadOS 14, or macOS Big Sur or later.
If prompted, turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple Account.
If you’re being asked to set up an account recovery method for Advanced Data Protection, decide if you want a recovery key or a recovery contact.
Set up a recovery key for your Apple Account
You can generate a recovery key on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed in to your Apple Account.
On your iPhone or iPad
Open Settings, then tap [your name].
Tap Sign-in & Security, then tap Recovery Key.
Tap Continue and follow the onscreen steps to create a recovery key.
Write down your recovery key and keep it in a safe place.
To complete setup, confirm your recovery key.
To generate a new recovery key after setting one up, open your recovery key settings and tap Replace Recovery Key.
On your Mac
From the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then click [your name].
Click Sign-in & Security, then click Recovery Key.
Click Turn On and follow the onscreen steps to create a recovery key.
Print or write down your recovery key and keep it in a safe place.
To complete setup, confirm your recovery key.
To generate a new recovery key after setting one up, open your recovery key settings and click Replace Recovery Key.
Use a recovery key
To regain access to your Apple Account if you don’t have a trusted device or you’re locked out, you need to enter your recovery key and a verification code sent to your trusted phone number.
When you change certain information about your Apple Account, you might be asked for your recovery key. For example, if you add a new trusted phone number, you’ll be asked for your recovery key.
If you use Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, your end-to-end encrypted iCloud data isn’t automatically available on a new device or on the web. You might get a notification on your device that ”Some iCloud data isn’t syncing”. You’re prompted to use either a recovery key or a recovery contact to access your iCloud data.
If your recovery key isn’t working, you might need to update your device to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS, or the latest version of macOS.
Turn off recovery key for your Apple Account
If you turn off your recovery key, you can again use Apple’s standard account recovery process to regain access to your account, if needed.
Open Settings (or System Settings on a Mac), then choose [your name].
Tap or click Sign-in & Security, then Recovery Key.
Tap or click Remove Recovery Key.