#Lost recovery key for mac how to
While these instructions show you how to set up a recovery contact, we’ll leave it up to this excellent Apple support document to describe the steps that are taken to get the recovery code from your contact.Īnother method of recovering your Apple ID password is to use a Recovery Key. Think of it as two-factor authentication, with your designated contact as the person who receives the 6-digit code instead of you. When you’re locked out of your account, at one point in the recovery process you can ask for a Recovery Code from your recovery contact. This person doesn’t get access to your data they’re just a trusted contact to help you regain access to your account. The recovery contact must accept the assignment with a click or tap, and when they’re available should you need to reset your password. A message (see below) is sent to the selected contact: Recovery Contact message Here, I wanted to add my wife as a contact, so I clicked the button with her name: Adding a Recovery ContactĬlick Continue after selecting a contact. Click it, and an information screen appears describing how a recovery contact works: Account Recovery Contact information screenĬlick the Add Recovery Contact button, and you’ll be able to add that contact.
#Lost recovery key for mac plus
Note: They must be at least 13 years of age and own an Apple device.Īt the bottom of the Account Recovery window seen in an earlier screenshot is a plus sign button ( + ). Adding a recovery contact must be done prior to having an issue, so be sure to set up one or more today. This is a trusted individual in your life who is can receive information on your behalf to give you a way to reset your Apple ID password. The next method is to add a Recovery Contact. At least you’ll be able to recover your photos, notes, and other documents. However, any “super-secret” info like passwords stored in your Keychain are not recovered. What this does is decrypt your data stored in iCloud so that it’s easier to recover. Click the Details button to see the following information: iCloud Data Recovery Service information screen This is essentially opening a support ticket with Apple to get you access to your data. Under Recovery Assistance, iCloud Data Recovery Service is listed as one of the options. See where it says Account Recovery? Click the Manage button to view the Account Recovery screen: The Account Recovery screen On the Mac, a window similar to this appears when you click the Password & Security button in the left sidebar: The Password & Security pane Launch System Preferences ( Settings on other devices), then click or tap on Apple ID-it’s the first item at the top of either System Preferences or Settings. If you start the account recovery process through iCloud Data Recovery Service, realize that the process takes time-in fact, there are built-in wait periods simply because Apple assumes that thieves or hackers won’t be patient enough to use this method! ICloud Data Recovery Service is really the method of last resort for recovering an Apple ID password, but we’re telling you about it upfront so you understand how the other methods discussed can speed up the process. Note that these same methods are available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch as well. To demonstrate the methods of recovering an Apple ID account password, we’ll be using a Mac. One of these three methods ensures that your access is recovered. That is done through iCloud Data Recovery Service, a recovery contact, or a recovery key. When you forget that password or it is otherwise compromised, go to to begin the process of recovery. When it’s locked, you must recover the password. Likewise, if someone is trying to hack your account and enters your Apple ID password incorrectly a number of times, Apple locks the account. That makes it impossible for you, the rightful owner of the account, to log in. If someone hacks your account successfully, they can change your Apple ID password. It’s rare for someone to not use an Apple device for so long that they forget their Apple ID password, but it could happen if you’re on a long trip somewhere away from internet service and just don’t use your devices. What are the most likely scenarios that could make you “forget” your password? That’s usually not the case unless you’ve just changed the password and fat-fingered it when you entered it (twice!). Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash The most likely scenarios In this article, we’ll show you ways to recover an Apple ID password and the steps to take to prepare yourself for a password loss situation. Forgetting that password makes it impossible to get your Apple mail, buy apps, movies, and music, or back up your devices to iCloud. For owners of Macs, iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices, the Apple ID password is the key to powerful services.