Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication

With two-factor authentication, you’ll need a verification code to sign in to your Apple Account on a new device or browser.

Whenever you sign in to your Apple Account on a new device or browser, you’ll confirm your identity with your password and a six-digit verification code. There are a few ways you can get a verification code. You can use the code displayed on your trusted device, or get a text or phone call.

You might not need to enter a verification code. In some cases, your trusted phone number can be automatically verified in the background on your iPhone. It’s one less thing to do, and your account is still protected with two-factor authentication.

Use the code displayed on your trusted device

When you sign in, the verification code is displayed automatically on your trusted devices.

  1. Sign in to your Apple Account on a new device or browser.

  2. Look for a sign-in notification on any of your trusted devices.

    Map with Washington, DC prominently marked on it. The caption indicates that an Apple Account is being used to sign in to on the web near Ashburn, VA.

  3. Choose Allow to receive your verification code.

  4. Enter the verification code on your other device to sign in.

Automatically displaying verification codes requires a device running the minimum system requirements. Apple Watch will automatically display a verification code on watchOS 6 or later.

The notification might include a map of the approximate location of the sign-in attempt. This location is based on the new device’s IP address and might reflect the network that it’s connected to, rather than the exact physical location. If you know that you’re the person trying to sign in but don’t recognize the location, you can still tap Allow and view the verification code.

Get a text or phone call

If you don’t have a trusted device handy, you can have a verification code sent to your trusted phone number as a text message or phone call.

  1. Select “Didn’t Get a Code?” or “Can’t get to your devices?” on the verification code screen.

  2. Choose to have the code sent to your trusted phone number.

  3. You’ll get a text message or phone call from Apple with your verification code. This text message might include an additional domain validation line. This line includes the @ symbol, the website name, and your code (for example: @icloud.com #123456 %apple.com).

    A verification code displays on a trusted iPhone

  4. Enter the code on your other device to complete sign in.

If you don’t have access to your trusted devices or trusted phone numbers

If you temporarily don’t have access to your trusted devices or trusted phone number, the fastest way to get access to your account is to wait until you have access in the next few days. Then sign in with two-factor authentication. After you do that, you can also add additional trusted phone numbers to your account for the future.

If you permanently don’t have access to either your trusted devices or your trusted phone number, you can still attempt to recover access to your account.

  1. Try to sign in to your Apple Account.

  2. Select “Didn’t Get a Code?” or “Can’t get to your devices?” on the verification code screen.

  3. Choose “Can’t use [phone number]”.

  4. If you don’t have access to any trusted phone number on file with your Apple Account, you can initiate the process to recover access to your account. Follow the onscreen steps.

Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity. Contacting Apple can’t help speed up the process.

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