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If you enter your iCloud Security Code incorrectly too many times

Find out what to do if you’ve forgotten your iCloud Security Code for iCloud Keychain.

If you’ve turned on two-factor authentication recently, you may need to enter an iCloud Security Code to sign in to iCloud. After you’ve signed in, your device will be trusted and you won’t need to enter an iCloud Security Code to use iCloud Keychain.

If you enter the wrong iCloud Security Code too many times when using iCloud Keychain, your iCloud Keychain will be disabled on that device, and your keychain in iCloud will be deleted. You may see one of these messages:

  • “Security Code Incorrectly Entered Too Many Times. Approve this iPhone from one of your other devices using iCloud Keychain. If no devices are available, reset iCloud Keychain.”

  • “Your iCloud Security Code has been entered too many times. Approve this Mac from one of your other devices using iCloud Keychain. If no devices are available, reset iCloud Keychain.”

If you can access an approved device that uses your iCloud Keychain

You can create a new iCloud Security Code from another device that also uses your iCloud Keychain.

On an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 12 or earlier:

  1. Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Keychain > Advanced.

  2. Tap Change Security Code.

    iPhone showing Approve with Security Code turned on
  3. Enter your Apple ID password when asked.

  4. Enter a new iCloud Security Code.

    iPhone showing Create Security Code screen

On a Mac with Mojave or earlier:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click iCloud.

  2. Click Options next to Keychain.

  3. Click Change Security Code and enter a new iCloud Security Code.

    No alt supplied for Image

On the device where iCloud Keychain was disabled, create a new iCloud Keychain that contains the username, passwords and other keychain items from the device:

  • On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 12 or earlier: tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Keychain and turn on iCloud Keychain.

  • On your Mac: choose Apple menu  > System Preferences. Click iCloud, then select Keychain.

An approval notification will appear on the device you used to create the new iCloud Security Code. Approve to add the new iCloud Keychain to your device.

If you can’t access a device that uses your iCloud Keychain

Follow these steps to reset your iCloud Keychain.

On an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch with iOS 12 or earlier:

  1. Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Keychain and turn on iCloud Keychain. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password.

  2. If you protect your account with two-factor authentication, tap Restore with Security Code. If you don’t use two-factor authentication, tap Approve with Security Code.

  3. Tap Forgot Code.

    iPhone showing Security Code screen
  4. Tap Reset iCloud Keychain to replace your keychain in iCloud with the iCloud Keychain from your device.

  5. Tap Reset to confirm.

  6. Follow the onscreen steps to create a new iCloud Security Code.

On a Mac with Mojave or earlier:

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.

  2. Click iCloud, then select Keychain. You may be asked to enter your Apple ID password.

  3. Click Use Code, then choose Forgot Code when you’re asked to enter your iCloud Security Code.

  4. Click Reset Keychain to replace your keychain in iCloud with the iCloud Keychain from your device.

    No alt supplied for Image
  5. Click Reset iCloud Keychain to confirm.

  6. Follow the onscreen steps to create a new iCloud Security Code.

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