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Receiving multiple iCloud verification codes on iPhone

when signing into icloud from my iPhone I received 2 text at exact same time, both from 83356, but with different verifications codes. how do i know which one is real?

8 replies

Given these codes appear to be routed via SMS based on the SMS short code mentioned, are your Apple Account trusted devices and trusted phone numbers all as expected, and with no duplicates listed?


Then check with your carrier(s). See if they can explain the duplicates.


Assuming you are not somehow requesting multiple codes and don’t have parallel paths for receiving SMS codes, then contact Apple Support, as it would appear there is something wonky with your account setup.


I’d also request a code via a phone call, as a test.


About trusted phone numbers and trusted devices for Apple Account - Apple Support


No, my Apple account has something wrong with it, but Apple Genius Bar/support can’t figure it out.

I’ve been a persistent identity theft victim, via telecom carriers, for over two years now and have had 3 other Apple accounts stolen/cloned. My cell phone identifiers keep getting the EID changed through “zero touch” hackers & the phone line gets split between 2 slots; one that works as my account under slot 1 & the other in slot 4 is provisioned to a fake MDM account, but it doesn’t show up on Apple device under the VPN & Profile settings.

The Apple account I’m using now doesn’t show as my verified device, as of last week, and under my contact card, my device is now missing, yet I’m still getting the two different OTC codes, simultaneously from Apple.

When I went to reply to you, I was asked if I wanted to sign into my appleid account or use this account (which should be my appleid account, but isn’t anymore). I can’t find anyone knowledgeable enough in the telecom industry to figure this out.

Always use the newest code associated with the most recent sign-in attempt. 

You must check the time frame of your sms meaning the first one is correct

You will need far more assistance with your security than can be offered around here, given what you are reporting. Particularly given the scale and scope reported, including carrier compromises and iPhone EID changes.


Pragmatically, I’d get rid of all your gear down to maybe a feature phone, and maybe either virtual hosted systems created and destroyed on demand, or disconnected boxes with document decontamination tooling and related.


Not maintaining anything you currently have, either.


But again, all of what you are reporting puts this way beyond what assistance can be offered via a forum. Any forum.

I’ve gone through 5 home networks, 19 phones, 42 email accounts, removed everything in my home that connected to the hacked WIFI, started over so many times, done all the official reports, but the advanced cyber hacking I’m dealing with is too much for my police’s cyber crime unit. Because I’m not famous, or in government, I can’t get help with this. Even dealing with Apple, trying to delete my Apple accounts, has been futile because hackers are in my Apple account and cancel the deletion requests. I wish I knew how to set up a virtual device or your other suggestions, but I don’t. Surfing these boards and changing hardware is all I know to do. Thanks for the info though; I’ll ask the guy that manages my IT stuff, if he can do any of your suggestions.

You report “5 networks, 19 phones, 42 email accounts”.


That’s an immensely expensive and clearly failing fix for an immensely expensive and persistent security compromise, or maybe there’s something else going on.


Whatever might be happening, it is not going to get addressed around here, or in any other forum.


And it’s not going to get addressed by a sixth network, a twentieth phone, or a forty-third account.


Or by any advice that can be offered via a forum for that matter, having undoubtedly already been provided with that information, and having acting upon it as appropriate, and failing.


It is clear that whatever is happening here is not being resolved with your current strategy, though.

The different codes come at the EXACT same minute, as do the Apple emails.