How to Prevent iPhone Lockouts

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Set up Account Recovery Contacts

   Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security > Account Recovery. Tap Add Recovery Contact and select a trusted person from your contacts to allow them to generate a recovery code if you lose access to your account.

   Note: Ensure your recovery contact uses an Apple device.
2. 45 sec

   Confirm Trusted Phone Numbers

   In Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security, verify that your active phone numbers are listed under Trusted Phone Numbers. This ensures you can receive two-factor authentication codes via SMS or voice call if your primary device is inaccessible.

   Note: Remove outdated numbers that you no longer control.
3. 30 sec

   Activate Recovery Key

   Within Settings > [Your Name] > Sign-In & Security > Account Recovery, toggle on Recovery Key. Follow the prompts to generate a 28-character key, print it, and store it in a physical safe.

   Note: If you lose this key and your device, Apple cannot reset your password.
4. 1 min

   Manage Trusted Devices

   Go to Settings > [Your Name] to view the list of devices currently signed into your Apple ID. Remove any legacy devices you no longer own to prevent unauthorized access or conflicting two-factor authentication prompts.

5. 30 sec

   Document Device Passcode

   Use a password manager to store your device passcode securely. Never rely solely on biometric data like Face ID, as the iPhone will periodically require the manual alphanumeric passcode for security verification.

   Note: Avoid using simple patterns or dates associated with your identity.
6. 30 sec

   Maintain iCloud Keychain

   Ensure Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Passwords & Keychain is toggled on. This synchronizes your account credentials across all verified Apple devices, providing an alternative path to manage your security settings.