Is there a way to create an Apple account without a phone number?

Nope, there's no alternative. You really need a phone number to proceed.

Thanks for the info! I had no idea older devices could bypass that requirement!

There’s a method to create an iCloud account without a phone number, but it’s tricky. You need to use a device that doesn’t support 2FA, which nowadays usually means older iOS or macOS versions. Just a heads up, it might be hard to find those devices and you’d miss out on some features.

You might try using a VOIP service like Google Voice to generate a phone number. This way, you can handle the verification without using your personal number.

Unfortunately, Apple requires a phone number for Two-Factor Authentication, and it looks like there isn't a way around this requirement right now.