An issue with my Apple account

AyJaydee

Is there an Apple/iPhone user reading this who can see a way through this madness!
I spent all day yesterday having message exchanges with Apple and was just going round in circles with no resolution.

To explain.  I have an iPhone and so I also have an Apple account, which I would normally access via my laptop (which is not an Apple product). I have no other Apple products nor access to any.  My wife's phone is an Android.

Whenever available, I make use of 2-factor-authentication and in the case of my Apple account have given my mobile number as the 'Trusted number' to which the access code is sent when I access the Account.

The scenario that provoked this is: What do I do to locate or get control of my phone if it is lost or stolen?

To locate or get control of my phone, I need to log into my Apple account.
But the access code is sent to the phone and I cannot get into the Apple account without it.
When I looked on the Apple website and tested this, the response was 'Come back when you have access to your phone' (my words, not theirs)

Apple does have a 'Recovery Option' for just this situation, but when I tried to enter my Wife's phone number into my Apple account as a 'recovery number', Apple just refused to accept it, saying that this number did not accept 'iMessages'. Presumably, the recovery number must also be for an iPhone?

When I got into 'talking' to Apple via their message box and asking about this, it was clear to me that these people were probably just entering standard answers from scripts.  The best that I could get was to go to my network provider, get a new SIM and put it in my phone.  That's the phone that has been stolen by the way.  Apple made great emphasis about needing to ensure my security.  Meanwhile, my phone has probably been hacked and all my other accounts have been laid bare.

I tried massage chats twice at different times and got different people, but the result was he same, I just went round in circles and got nowhere.

So... I use 2FA to protect any accounts from being attacked by anyone trying to get access to them.
How do I resolve the issue of I need my phone to find or block that phone, when I don't have it?
Does anyone know the answer to this madness please?

PCashew74

Not an expert but try reading Two-factor authentication for Apple Account – Apple Support (UK)
2FA with trusted devices looks like only working if you have more than 1 Apple device.
What you need looks to be trusted phone number.

AyJaydee

Please read my question again. 🙄

wongataa

Can you get to an Apple store where you can get assistance in person?

beckstar1975

You can use two-factor authentication with your Apple Account if you have a device that’s using the latest iOS, iPadOS or macOS, or if you have access to a web browser and a phone number.* Find out how to turn on two-factor authentication on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.

From the Apple website (https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102333) , so you need an ipad/mac etc to use 2FA on your iphone - that's why they can't answer as there's no answer if the only Apple thing you own is the iPhone.

beckstar1975

and this:

What is a trusted device?

A trusted device is an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro or Mac that you’ve already signed in to using two-factor authentication. It’s a device that we know is yours and that can be used to verify your identity by displaying a verification code from Apple when you’re signing in on a different device or browser.

Vitor

 - How do I resolve the issue of I need my phone to find or block that phone,- 

Login to iCloud Find Devices from where you can put an Apple device into 'Lost' mode, remotely erase etc.

AyJaydee

This is really helpful Vitor.
I have just tried your find device link and I can log into it without any access code being sent to the phone
In it, it shows the location of the phone and two options, 'Play Sound' which does what it says, and 'Lost iPhone' which I have not tried in case I do anything drastic like lock myself out.
So my question now is, if I did select the 'Lost iPhone' option, what happens?

Beckstar, the reason why I use 2FA where presented, is because it is recommended by banks etc, to give myself an extra layer of defense against someone trying to break into my accounts.  If the simple solution to this problem is to turn off 2FA, then what would be the consequences of someone breaking into my Apple account?

beckstar1975

AyJaydee said:

Beckstar, the reason why I use 2FA where presented, is because it is recommended by banks etc, to give myself an extra layer of defense against someone trying to break into my accounts.  If the simple solution to this problem is to turn off 2FA, then what would be the consequences of someone breaking into my Apple account?

No idea - it's a rubbish system if it relies on you having to have all Apple products, as I have an ipad and mac I've never noticed that it only worked cos I'm 'in' the system. Viktor explained about having to set a device to lost mode, that can be done without the 2FA but if you weren't asking the Apple chat exactly that they are unlikely to volunteer that (as it would be a deviation from the script)

DullGreyGuy

Go to https://www.icloud.com/find/ 

Its the only apple service that doesnt use 2FA

Vitor

 - So my question now is, if I did select the 'Lost iPhone' option, what happens? -

Assuming the phone is online, or as soon as it comes online -

The device will lock immediately with the passcode 
Any message you've previously set will be shown, e.g. "I'm lost, please call 01234 567890"
The device’s location is sent to Apple, and you can track it.
Any sensitive data, such as Apple Pay cards, are suspended automatically.
Notifications and alerts won’t appear on the lock screen to protect privacy.