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Takehelpbd
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

6-day waiting period for Apple Account recovery on iPhone 15 Pro Max

Subject: Apple Account Recovery – 6-Day Waiting Period. Hello Apple Community, I am currently using a different Apple Account to access this Apple Support Community. I need assistance regarding another Apple Account linked to my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I have forgotten the password and I am trying to recover it. I have access to the trusted phone number and successfully completed Apple’s verification. However, Apple informed me I must wait 6 days before I can regain access. I would like to understand why this waiting period is required, especially since I have completed verification and have access to my trusted phone number. Could someone explain whether there’s any additional step I can take or if there’s any official way to get further help?

The Apple ID *** I’m trying to recover was previously signed in on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, but now the phone is locked and I can’t access the account.



[Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Nov 8, 2026 12:48 PM

2 replies

Chattanoogan
User level: Level 8 (43,489 points)

Nov 8, 2026 1:07 PM in response to Takehelpbd

We are fellow users and can’t answer “Why” Apple does what they do.


However, you DID not know your own security credentials.


Not a “dig” on you but just a fact.


It’s likely any delay Apple might insert is part of a thought-out recovery mechanism intended to prevent unauthorized account takeover by criminals who might have obtained “pieces” of someone’s credentials.




.



Servant of Cats
User level: Level 9 (55,707 points)

Nov 8, 2026 2:37 PM in response to Takehelpbd

You tell us that "another Apple account" is linked to your iPhone 15 Pro Max – and that "the phone is locked".


By any chance, did you log out of your Apple Account and into a scammer's Apple Account, only for the scammer to immediately lock your phone? If so, you made a horrible mistake. Read Signing Out of Your Apple Account and Into Someone Else's Account Could Have Catastrophic Consequences – Apple Community to find out just how bad.


Recovering access to your Apple Account might help you going forward (e.g. by giving you access to backed-up and synchronized data to use on another device), but it would not be sufficient to remove the scammer's hold on your phone.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256390963