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How to recover Apple ID without password and recovery key?

I want to recover my old apple id but i have forgotten the password and misplaced the recovery key , the device it was sighned in on has also been sold how can i recover my account i still have the secondary mail and phone numbers attatched to it but cant find any way to log in , all my data is locked


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Recovery key lost

1 reply

The information below is mostly based on an earlier version of Apple's support article: Set up a recovery key for your Apple Account - Apple Support Each section outlines different situations and some strategies that may involve recovery keys. If you are not familiar with trusted devices and numbers, see this support article —> Two-factor authentication for Apple Account - Apple Support


- If you still have access to your Apple Account and password but have lost your recovery key:

You can “update” your recovery key from Settings or System Preferences on a trusted device. Refer to the steps in Set up a recovery key for your Apple Account - Apple Support about how to do this on different types of equipment (Apple equipment only).]


- If you have forgotten your Apple Account password, have lost your recovery key but still have access to a trusted device, you can reset your password. Refer to this support article: If you forgot your password and can’t sign in to your Apple Account - Apple Support This does not involve using a recovery key.

- If you have a forgotten password and you do not have access to a trusted device:

“you need to provide your recovery key and a verification code sent to your trusted phone number.”

[Older wording —> you can use your recovery key, a trusted phone number, and an Apple device to reset your password.”]


- ”If you use Advanced Data Protection [for iCloud] and set up both a recovery key and a recovery contact, you can use either your recovery key or recovery contact to regain access to your account”

- If you have lost your recovery key and have lost access to both your account and trusted items:

A recovery key is designed as an alternative to Account Recovery ( If you forgot your password and can’t sign in to your Apple Account - Apple Support ) which is where Apple helps you regain access to your account. However, "When you set up a recovery key, you turn off Apple’s standard account recovery process." You can try to contact Apple (see: Contact Apple Support - Apple Support ), but to me the previous statement implies that setting up a recovery key excludes Apple from being able to do anything. Using a recovery key is more secure, but it means that you’re responsible for maintaining access to your trusted devices and your 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.”