Apple introduced a raw form of convalescence key in September 2020 at the spill of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 to offer an option that lets you recover access to an Apple ID account with two - divisor authentication when the parole stops work ( or you forget it ) or your explanation is locked . Apple ’s documentation did n’t initially reflect all the changes ask to explain how to employ this recovery key .
( This convalescence key isnotrelated to the FileVault Recovery Key . It ’s an update version of a characteristic once used with two - step verification , which was replaced with two - element authentication . )
I contacted the party , wait , and never come enough information to advocate the feature — it was unclear how it work out . Our last advice to readerswas to avoid enabling it . But somewhere in the late several months , Apple quietly update a few support pages and made it far clearer how Apple ’s human - oriented account recovery differ from using a recuperation key :
Apple ’s cosmopolitan account recuperation works like this :
However , this process can fail . Someone at Apple reviews at least some of these stages and may decide you have n’t prove you are who you say you are at all . In that case , your story is locked forever , along with losing any purchases , subscription , or other information only useable when you have access to the history . That could include photos and images if you only have full - resolution versions synchronize at iCloud.com .
If you turn on the Recovery primal feature , however , the balance change :
However , if you lose your recovery key , there isno backup man option : Apple can no longer aid you regain account admission .
If those advantages seem worthwhile , here ’s how to proceed . In iOS 14 / iPadOS 14 or later , go toSettings > Account Name > Password & Securityand tapRecovery Key . In macOS Big Sur or subsequently , openSystem Preferences > Apple IDand clickPassword & Security . Next :
The recovery key is now active , and Apple sends email to the address connected to your Apple ID invoice to confirm that .
( An important side note : verify that if you fall behind access to your equipment , that you could still pull up the recuperation paint from somewhere . If unlocking all your devices that you may still retrieve the key . )
When and if you require to recuperate history admittance or unlock your Apple ID , Apple does n’t provide a list of steps of what happens . Instead , the ship’s company ’s documentation implies that at the conclusion of seek to recover or unlock , it will provide extra instructions .
What you demand at that point , Apple promissory note , is the recovery tonality and a believe sound bit as well as admission to any iPhone or iPad take to the woods iOS 11 or later or any Mac bunk macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later . I have n’t seen this process in access , but apparently , you will postulate to take in a text message or automated call and enter the recovery samara in the fitly provided location . At that point , you could readjust your watchword and find access .
The recovery tonality can only be used once for this purpose , at which time you’re able to regenerate it in the emplacement distinguish above in iOS / iPadOS and macOS .
Ask Mac 911
We ’ve compiled a list of the doubt we get asked most frequently , along with answers and links to column : read our crack FAQ to see if your question is cover . If not , we ’re always look for new problem to clear ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com , including projection screen captures as appropriate and whether you require your full name used . Not every motion will be answered , we do n’t respond to email , and we can not cater verbatim troubleshooting advice .
