Unable to recover disabled iPhone 15 Pro and child's Apple Account

You mention multiple items (which may exceed the length allowed in a single reply).

Using a recovery key was probably excessive for a child's account unless the child is rich and famous. The information below is mostly based on an earlier version of Apple's support article: https://support.apple.com/109345 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 —> https://support.apple.com/HT204915

- 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 https://support.apple.com/109345 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: https://support.apple.com/102656 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 ( https://support.apple.com/102656#:~:text=If%20you%20can't%20reset%20your%20password,%20request%20account%20recovery ) 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: https://support.apple.com/HT201232 ), 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.”

You also mention security questions. In 2015 Apple transitioned to using two factor authentication instead of security questions. Since then Apple has been persistently encouraging users to switch to the more secure system. Apple allows you continue to use security questions if you already use them, but if you end up having problems then they no longer get direct support.

You can try the reset service at this link ➞ https://getsupport.apple.com/?caller=cups&PGF=PGF63005

Select “Forgot Security Questions” then “Continue”

Additional reset methods are provided in this support article https://support.apple.com/HT201485 but the article is labeled "archived" and may contain information that no longer applies.

If resetting works then fine, but if it does not (e.g., you see “not enough information”*) then you will have no option but to change to the newer security method, if you can. For those who have disregarded Apple’s encouraging to change to two factor, Apple will likely only help you to now change to two factor authentication, if even that is possible. Follow the instructions in the "Turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID" section in this support article --> https://support.apple.com/HT204915 to try to change to two factor authentication.

If you still need help, contact Apple Account support If that does not work you can contact Apple support and service; click here ➔ https://support.apple.com/106932

If Apple cannot, or will not, help you transition to two factor authentication then it is quite possible you will have to simply abandon the old account and everything it contained. In that case, if you were using the Find My service, the Activation Lock support request support article at: - https://al-support.apple.com/#/additional-support may at least let you regain use of your equipment. If not, you will also have to say goodbye to the device as well.

*More about identity verification problems here —> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256247991?sortBy=oldest_first

I see you may have a disabled device or forgotten device passcode. If you see a waiting period you can try again after the timer ends. If you wish to proceed with resetting, or if it is disabled/security lockout/unavailable, refer to this support article for various methods that you can use to resolve this. --> https://support.apple.com/105090 Which one you can use depends upon your equipment configuration. If you can use the iOS15.2+ method you may not need a computer. If you prefer to watch a video about this go to this web site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0ULNMLj8sM

Whichever method you use will result in erasing the iPhone. You have no alternative. You can, however, restore it from a backup as described in this support article --> https://support.apple.com/HT204184 Some items will restore automatically once you make sure you are signed into iCloud (if you were using iCloud to sync these services).

Thank you very much for your detailed response.

I would like to clarify one important detail.

My son is only 10 years old, and his Apple Account is a child account managed through my Family Sharing group. I am his mother and legal guardian.

I do not remember ever enabling or saving a 28-character Recovery Key for his account.

I have attempted to reset his Apple Account password through Family Sharing using two different iPhones belonging to me, but both display a security waiting period message.

The system suggests using his iPhone 15 Pro, which is currently completely disabled.

Is there any way for a parent or family organizer to reset a child’s Apple Account password without providing the Recovery Key?

Could Apple’s security waiting period on my devices expire, allowing me to reset his password through Family Sharing?

I would really appreciate any specific guidance regarding recovery options for children’s Apple Accounts.

Thank you again for your assistance.