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Account recovery isn’t an option.

I have access to my apple account on one phone and lost it on the other including the associated email. Account recovery isn’t an option since the phone is the only means of contact with the outside world. The phone with the lost ID and email is use by an elderly person and they require constant contact. What do I do to resolve this?

1 reply

To me it looks like you are saying that the other iPhone is no longer signed into your account and is now prompting for a two factor authentication code. Read what I include below about alternative ways to get a code, but in the end account recovery may be your only option if it isn't a case of having lost access to the account entirely.


Based on: Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support


A code is sent automatically to your trusted devices (some other Apple computer or Apple mobile device signed in with your account). If you have a trusted device running iOS11 (or iPadOS) and later, macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and later, or watchOS 4 and later, the verification code is displayed automatically on your trusted devices. It is not sent by email.


If you don’t have a trusted device handy, you can choose to have a verification code sent to your trusted phone number as a text message or phone call.

1. Select “Didn’t Get a Code?” or “Can’t get to your devices?” on the verification code screen.

2. Choose a telephone number for where to receive a code.

3. You'll get a text message or phone call from Apple with your verification code. A text message might include an additional domain validation line. This line includes the @ symbol, the website name, and your code (for example: @icloud.com #123456 %apple.com).

4. Enter the code on your other device to complete sign in.

If you did not get a code on your telephone:

- Is your phone number listed at Settings > [name on top] > Sign in & Security > Two Factor Authentication?

- Are you able to receive other SMS messages (green)?

- If you see. “Verification codes cannot be sent to this phone number at this time. Please try again later,”:

1) Wait a few hours and try again. Maybe it really does mean not at this particular time.

2) Use this link to check the status of Apple’s various services and servers —>

Apple - Support - System Status

3) Disable entirely any VPN you are using.

4) Try clicking on, “Cannot use this number?”

- From: Suddenly not getting texts for two factor… - Apple Community

Q: Suddenly not getting texts for two factor authentication on iPhone

A: Reset network settings:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings


If the phone used as a trusted device is not working, try moving the SIM or eSIM to a different phone so you can get a code there.


It is a good idea to have more than one trusted number.


If you had set up a recovery contact, read Get a recovery code for a friend or family member as their Apple Account recovery contact - Apple Support


If you can’t sign in or receive verification codes you can request account recovery to regain access to your account [see that information in this support article If you forgot your password and can’t sign in to your Apple Account - Apple Support ]. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity.

Here are links to posts by Community contributors which provide additional detail about the account recovery process and what to do if you do not receive a text or call: Activation Lockout Issues - Apple Community and How can I reset my Apple Account password? - Apple Community and How to delete Apple ID when you can't log… - Apple Community This thread outlines the multi-step process and final recovery —> My Apple ID is locked, how do I fix it? - Apple Community , and this one about things you should and should not do while waiting —> How can I recover my Apple ID after multi… - Apple Community