Issues with accessing an account

I am trying to add an old account to my phone, but the account uses two factor authentication which, for as long as I can remember, I have had the same phone number that I've always used for my accounts and don't think I've ever used a different one, yet for some reason the phone number that's linked to this account is NOT my phone number. So when I enter in the account and password correctly it says, "we've sent a code to (***)***-**44" and my phone number should say "(***)***-**42", but when I choose the option "I no longer have access to this phone number" it still requires me to KNOW the phone number before I can change the trusted device. Now at first I assumed that it was just the last 2 digits that got mixed up and tried entering in my phone number just like normal except having "44" instead of "42" but that didn't work, I don't know anyone who's phone number ends in "44", have tried all the numbers that I could think of that are close to that, but nothing works! I cant seem to find any other way to access my account either, no option to answer security questions instead(I'm sure I used security questions for this account too...) no option to use a linked email, nothing. the only option for me to access this account is to KNOW this stupid phone number that I never linked to this account and since I don't know it I cant seem to access my account? can anyone help me out here?

Posted on Feb 22, 2023 6:28 PM

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Posted on Feb 23, 2023 6:17 AM

If you can still sign into your account you can investigate adding more ways to get a code such as multiple telephone numbers where you can receive a text or a phone call. This is from the section "About trusted phone numbers and trusted devices" in the article: Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support :


To see, add, or change your trusted phone numbers use one of these methods:

● On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > your name > Password & Security. Next to Trusted Phone Number, tap Edit.

● On a Mac computer choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click your name (or Apple ID). Click Password & Security, then add or remove a trusted phone number.

● Using a web browser: Go to the Account Security section of https://appleid.apple.com .


If you had set up an Account Recovery Contact ( Set up an account recovery contact - Apple Support ) you can also get a code that way.


If you can’t sign in, access a trusted device, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery to regain access to your account. This article explains how to recover your Apple ID after a waiting period - How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support



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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 23, 2023 6:17 AM in response to TayReptar

If you can still sign into your account you can investigate adding more ways to get a code such as multiple telephone numbers where you can receive a text or a phone call. This is from the section "About trusted phone numbers and trusted devices" in the article: Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support :


To see, add, or change your trusted phone numbers use one of these methods:

● On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > your name > Password & Security. Next to Trusted Phone Number, tap Edit.

● On a Mac computer choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click your name (or Apple ID). Click Password & Security, then add or remove a trusted phone number.

● Using a web browser: Go to the Account Security section of https://appleid.apple.com .


If you had set up an Account Recovery Contact ( Set up an account recovery contact - Apple Support ) you can also get a code that way.


If you can’t sign in, access a trusted device, reset your password, or receive verification codes, you can request account recovery to regain access to your account. This article explains how to recover your Apple ID after a waiting period - How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple ID password - Apple Support



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Issues with accessing an account

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