How to set up an Apple ID recovery key (2024)

FAQs

How to set up an Apple ID recovery key? ›

Go to Settings, then tap your name. Tap Password & Security > Account Recovery. Tap your contact's name. Tap Get Recovery Code.

Go to Settings, then tap your name. Tap Password & Security > Account Recovery. Tap your contact's name. Tap Get Recovery Code.

From the Apple menu , choose System Settings, then click your name. Click Sign-in & Security, then tap Two-Factor Authentication. Next to Security Keys, click Set Up, then follow the onscreen instructions to add your keys.

In Settings, tap your name, then tap Sign-in & Security. You might need to enter your Apple ID password. Tap Account Recovery. Tap Recovery Key, turn on Recovery Key, then tap Use Recovery Key and enter your device passcode.

What if I lose access to my trusted devices and trusted phone number? You can request account recovery to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity.

If you enabled an account recovery key, and have subsequently lost it, then your only option is to request a new recovery key using your Apple ID and password and a trusted device, or to user your Apple ID and password and a trusted device to disable the recovery key and revert to the more usual Apple password-reset ...

You can also go to the Apple ID account website to help you find your Apple ID. Go to the Apple ID account website, click Sign In, click “Forgot Apple ID or password?” then follow the onscreen instructions.

Does Apple still use recovery key? ›

If you don't have access to a trusted device or you're locked out of your Apple ID, you need to provide your recovery key to reset your password and regain access to your account.

After you've set up the device, you can find the “Forgotten your password or don't have an Apple ID?” option in Settings: iPhone, iPad or iPod touch: go to the Settings app and tap Sign in to your iPhone. Then tap “Forgotten your password or don't have an Apple ID?” and follow the onscreen instructions.

Select Didn't Get a Code? on the sign in screen. Choose to have the code sent to your trusted phone number. You'll get a text message or phone call from Apple with your verification code. This text message might include an additional domain validation line.

Get a text or phone call

If you don't have a trusted device handy, you can have a verification code sent to your trusted phone number as a text message or phone call. Select Didn't Get a Code? on the sign in screen. Choose to have the code sent to your trusted phone number.

On your iPhone go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, then tap Continue. Enter a trusted phone number (the number you'll use to receive verification codes), then tap Next. A verification code is sent to your trusted phone number.

Reset Apple ID Password without the trusted device. If you use security questions with your Apple ID, or if you don't have access to a trusted device or phone number, go to iforgot.apple.com. Then you can unlock your account with your existing password or reset your password.

If your Apple ID is locked or not active

If you see a message that says your Apple ID account is locked or not active, you might be able to request access to your account by tapping Request Access right from the alert. You can also request access to your account.