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Forgot Apple ID Password. Account Recovery Annoying.

I just recently purchased the iPhone 14 Max and traded in my old iPhone. My password was of course located in the old iPhone which the store had to reset. I tried resetting my password during the setting up phase of the new iPhone thinking it would be simple with a few verification procedures. This thing took me to account recovery which told me I had to wait 24 hours to receive a time frame of when I'd be able to reset MY password. After waiting 24 hours I am told I have to wait an additional 3 days to reset the password. Why is this process so frustrating. It's irritating enough that I'm unable to get into my account and access any of my old information. On top of that, I now have to wait several days??? This policy is ridiculous. Apple needs to find new ways to help the community with their account recovery. Ask me anything about my account so that I may access my information. It shouldn't take 72 hours.

iPhone 14 Plus, iOS 17

Posted on Oct 12, 2023 12:53 PM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 12, 2023 1:08 PM

It's an unfortunate situation, but the account recovery process is industry standard for two factor authentication security. Account recovery is automated and can be just a couple days to several weeks depending on many factors for each situation. Even Google, banks, Yahoo, Samsung, etc. now encourage and use this process because scammers are getting smarter and smarter. Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support


Your other options are:


  1. Set up a recovery key for your Apple ID - Apple Support A recovery key is an randomly generated 28-character code that helps improve the security of your Apple ID account by giving you more control over resetting your password to regain access to your account. However, if you lose your recovery key and can’t access one of your trusted devices, you'll be locked out of your account permanently.
  2. About Security Keys for Apple ID - Apple Support A security key is a small external device that looks like a thumb drive or tag, which can be used for verification when signing in with your Apple ID using two-factor authentication. You're responsible for maintaining access to your security keys. If you lose all of your trusted devices and security keys, you could be locked out of your account permanently.

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5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 12, 2023 1:08 PM in response to Community User

It's an unfortunate situation, but the account recovery process is industry standard for two factor authentication security. Account recovery is automated and can be just a couple days to several weeks depending on many factors for each situation. Even Google, banks, Yahoo, Samsung, etc. now encourage and use this process because scammers are getting smarter and smarter. Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support


Your other options are:


  1. Set up a recovery key for your Apple ID - Apple Support A recovery key is an randomly generated 28-character code that helps improve the security of your Apple ID account by giving you more control over resetting your password to regain access to your account. However, if you lose your recovery key and can’t access one of your trusted devices, you'll be locked out of your account permanently.
  2. About Security Keys for Apple ID - Apple Support A security key is a small external device that looks like a thumb drive or tag, which can be used for verification when signing in with your Apple ID using two-factor authentication. You're responsible for maintaining access to your security keys. If you lose all of your trusted devices and security keys, you could be locked out of your account permanently.

Jul 31, 2024 3:53 PM in response to Community User

Absolutely dreadful and unnecessarily delayed process.

The fact that there is no other option other than just sitting and waiting 3-5 days is ridiculous.

I use many devices across many platforms and have not experienced any other tech that doesn’t have the ability to send a reset to another email or phone number if other security questions or personal information can be verified.

I am also not familiar with any organization not able to override arbitrary wait times or resets online over the phone or if other information can be verified.

My daughter dropped her phone in a deep lake and getting her new iPhone set up has been a nightmare as her recovery device is at the bottom of the lake and her email recovery is her icloud ID and she locked herself out of that.

Spending 6 hours on the phone with Apple Support yielded no progress only “wait 3 days for reset to be sent to you” and the reset is being sent to account she can’t access…an infinite loop of no solution.

This is the biggest waste of time and not helpful at all.

If I could get rid of every Apple product I own I would do it.

TRULY disappointing!

Oct 12, 2023 1:15 PM in response to Community User

KatS182 wrote:

I just recently purchased the iPhone 14 Max and traded in my old iPhone. My password was of course located in the old iPhone which the store had to reset. I tried resetting my password during the setting up phase of the new iPhone thinking it would be simple with a few verification procedures. This thing took me to account recovery which told me I had to wait 24 hours to receive a time frame of when I'd be able to reset MY password. After waiting 24 hours I am told I have to wait an additional 3 days to reset the password. Why is this process so frustrating. It's irritating enough that I'm unable to get into my account and access any of my old information. On top of that, I now have to wait several days??? This policy is ridiculous. Apple needs to find new ways to help the community with their account recovery. Ask me anything about my account so that I may access my information. It shouldn't take 72 hours.

Is it Apple's fault that you can't remember your own Apple id password.


Quick to lay blame on others but not yourself.


It is their policy whether you like it or not.

Forgot Apple ID Password. Account Recovery Annoying.

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