I lost my iPhone, which was my trusted device for my Apple Account, and I no longer have access to the trusted phone number because my carrier deactivated it and it may have been reassigned. I still know my Apple Account email address and password, but sign-in requires verification from the old device or phone number. I tried Apple's account recovery process and entered my credit card number, expiration date, and security code, but it keeps reporting that the security code is incorrect even though the details are accurate. Is there another way to verify ownership and regain access without the trusted iPhone or old phone number?
2 Answers
First, check with your mobile carrier to see whether the old number can still be restored or transferred to a replacement SIM. If the number has already been canceled and reassigned, that may not be possible. In that case, start Apple’s official account-recovery process and be prepared for it to take some time. Knowing the password and card details does not always bypass two-factor authentication.
Contact Apple Support through the official support website or the Apple Support app on another device. Explain that you lost both the trusted device and trusted number, and ask them to guide you through account recovery. They generally cannot simply remove two-factor authentication, but they can confirm which recovery options are available and help if the payment verification step is failing. Avoid repeatedly guessing the card security code, since that may delay the recovery process.
The carrier confirmed that the number was deactivated after I stopped recharging the SIM, so it can’t be restored.