iCloud account recovery without the phone

My partner’s phone suddenly died and he couldn’t remember the password so they used the recovery. The initial email says it will be text or call but he cannot get texts right now. How can he make sure that he gets the call needed? He tried support but they told him that the calls aren’t actually a thing. He cannot use his previous phone as it’s completely dead. What can we do here?

iPhone 16

Posted on Mar 30, 2025 6:25 PM

Similar questions

Apple ID recovery - no call or text Good evening….long story short my IPhone 14 screen got destroyed by a recliner, to the point the screen won’t come on and the phone is unusable. The next morning I purchased an IPhone 15 Pro but forgot my password to my Apple account. I clicked on forgot password but it was sending the text message/validation prompts to the phone I can’t do anything with. At this point, I started the Apple ID recovery process (twice now) and on both occasions I have gotten an email saying I will get a call or text on X date and time, but after waiting days I get nothing. I’m not sure if they are sending a text that I can’t get on my old phone or what, but I’m getting very frustrated as I don’t know what to do next. I’ve called Apple on two occasions to be told there is nothing they can do as it’s handled by the recovery team. Anyone experienced similar and if so were you (and how) able to resolve?
19487 7
I never get a text or call for apple ID recovery on the date/time it says in the email I received I've done the account recovery process twice now and I never get the call/text on the date/time it said I would. I don't have any access to any of the devices logged into the apple ID. The phone fell in the lake and won't turn on so we got a new phone. I need to connect the new phone to the apple ID but can't remember the password. Thanks!
2851 3
Apple account recovery without email or phone My phone's screen was damaged and it's the only device on which I was signed in with my apple ID. I cannot receive text messages and cannot check emails on my iCloud account. I have initiated the account recovery process but it tells me I will receive an email on my icloud email, which I cannot access. I do have a recovery contact set up as part of family sharing but when I try to obtain a recovery code through my husband's phone using that process I get a message that says "Account owner must start the recovery process and ask for help before you can generate a code for them." How am I supposed to receive the instructions for account recovery if I don't have access to my icloud email and no ability to check my text messages? I can receive phone calls on my broken phone but there is no option to receive a verification code through a phone call. This is incredibly frustrating since I have all my login information.
6136 1

1 reply

muguy

Level 10

91,184 points

Mar 30, 2025 7:09 PM in response to Violentlyserene

They would need to port their number to a new device to receive a text message. Or, see if the carrier can forward texts to a different number.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iCloud account recovery without the phone

Welcome to Apple Support Community

A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.

Learn more Sign up