how to change unknown phone number for two factor authentication

I have created a new apple account for my child. A random phone number was chosen for two-factor authentication but I dont know what it was and can not sign in to change it


how do I do this



iPhone SE, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 18, 2025 6:21 AM

Reply
2 replies

Dec 18, 2025 8:56 AM in response to Paddy_72

See the section:

Add or remove a trusted phone number

in:

Use two-factor authentication for your Apple Account on iPhone - Apple Support


If you still have problems with this, contact Apple ➔ Contact - Official Apple Support

Select from the presented options until you find a solution for your issue, or see if there is a chat or phone call contact method offered lower on the page under “Get more help” (you sometimes have to narrow down the options multiple times before this is shown). If you do not see your issue, keep experimenting with any series of selections until you reach one that offers a chat session or a telephone call and get the representative to redirect you.


This support article has various country telephone numbers for contacting Apple for support and service ➔ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support For some countries look under “Other” listing at the end of the list. Not every country has telephone support, and phone numbers may only work when calling from the same country.


Dec 18, 2025 9:31 AM in response to Paddy_72

Not possible for a random number to just be created for two-factor authentication. That's not how it works. Trusted phone numbers don't get automatically added to or randomly created on an account. That is a process you need to go through manually to add the number. You type in a number and it needs to be verified via an SMS message or voice call. Until it's verified, it does not get added to the account.


If you added one and don't remember what it was that is fine, it just can't be a random occurrence. Or just a number you thought up at the time since it needs to be verified.


If you have a device that is already logged in to the Child account, you can go into Settings ➜ Account ➜ Sign In & Security ➜ Two-Factor Authentication and delete the phone number from there and add a new one.


If you don't have a device signed in to the account, then you'll need to go through Account Recovery.

click here ➜ How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support





how to change unknown phone number for two factor authentication

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