What confirming your Apple ID means
Confirming your Apple ID means verifying that you own the email address or phone number linked to your account. Apple asks you to do this when you sign in on a new device, change your password, or update your account settings. The confirmation protects your account from unauthorized access by ensuring only you can make changes.
Apple sends a confirmation code to your email or phone — whichever you registered with your account. You enter that code back into the device or website to prove you have access to that email or phone number. This is different from resetting a forgotten password; it happens when you already know your password but are doing something that requires extra verification.
The confirmation process takes a few minutes and you only need to do it once per device or action. After you confirm, you can use that device without re-confirming for a while.
Key Takeaways
- Apple sends a six-digit code to your registered email or phone number when you sign in on a new device or change account settings.
- You enter the code on the device or website where you are signing in, not by replying to the email or text.
- If you do not receive the code, check your spam folder, wait a few minutes, or request a new code from the same screen.
- You can add a trusted phone number to your account so Apple can send codes to multiple devices you own.
- If you cannot access your registered email or phone number, you will need to use account recovery steps through Apple's website.
How to confirm when signing in on a new device
When you sign in to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch with your Apple ID for the first time, the device will ask you to confirm your identity. A screen will appear saying "Verification Required" or "Two-Factor Authentication" and will tell you that a code has been sent to your email or phone.
Check the email inbox (including spam and promotions folders) for a message from Apple. The subject line usually says "Your Apple ID Verification Code" or similar. The email contains a six-digit code. On your device, enter that code into the field that appeared. Do not reply to the email — type the code directly into the device screen.
If you registered a phone number with your Apple ID instead of (or in addition to) an email, Apple may send the code as a text message. Check your text messages for a message from Apple containing the six-digit code and enter it the same way.
What to do if you do not receive the code
If no email or text arrives within a minute or two, first check your spam, junk, or promotions folder in your email. Apple's messages sometimes land there by mistake. If you find it, move it to your inbox and enter the code.
If the email is not there, wait another minute or two — the message can take a few minutes to arrive. Then look at the device screen where you are signing in. You should see a link or button that says "Did not receive code?" or "Send again". Tap that to request a new code. Apple will send another one to the same email or phone number.
If codes keep not arriving, the email address or phone number on your account may be wrong. You can check and update it by going to appleid.apple.com on a computer, signing in with your password, and looking at the "Account" or "Contact Information" section. If you cannot sign in because you do not remember your password, you will need to use Apple's account recovery process instead.
How to confirm when changing your password or settings
When you change your Apple ID password, update your payment method, or modify security settings, Apple sends a confirmation code to verify the change is really you. The process is the same as signing in on a new device: Apple sends a six-digit code to your email or phone, and you enter it into the screen in front of you.
You may see a choice of where to send the code — for example, "Send to your email" or "Send to your phone". Choose whichever one you have access to right now. Enter the code that arrives and the change will go through.
Adding a trusted phone number to receive codes
If you want Apple to be able to send confirmation codes to multiple devices you own, you can add a trusted phone number to your account. This way, if you are signing in on your Mac, Apple can send the code to your iPhone instead of just your email.
Go to appleid.apple.com and sign in with your password. Click "Security" or "Account" (the exact name depends on your region). Look for a section called "Trusted Phone Numbers" or "Devices and Phone Numbers". Click "Add" or the plus icon. Enter a phone number you own and confirm it by entering a code Apple sends to that number. From then on, Apple will offer to send codes to that phone number when you sign in on new devices.
What to do if you cannot access your registered email or phone
If your registered email account has been hacked or you no longer have access to your phone number, you cannot receive confirmation codes. In this case, you will need to use Apple's account recovery process instead of the normal confirmation flow.
Go to iforgot.apple.com and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using your password, recovery key, or trusted device. If you have a trusted device (an iPhone, iPad, or Mac you have already signed into), that is usually the fastest route — Apple can send a recovery code to that device instead of your email or phone.
If you do not have a trusted device and cannot remember your password, you may need to contact Apple Support. They can verify your identity using other information like your purchase history or the phone number you used to set up your account originally.
Understanding two-factor authentication versus two-step verification
Two-factor authentication is the current security system Apple uses. It sends a code to your email or phone every time you sign in on a new device or make account changes. This code is one of the "factors" that proves it is really you.
Two-step verification is an older system Apple used before two-factor authentication. If your account is still using two-step verification, the process is similar but slightly different — you get a recovery key (a long string of characters) that you need to keep safe, and the confirmation codes work a bit differently. If you have an older account, Apple may prompt you to upgrade to two-factor authentication, which is more find.
Most accounts created in the last several years use two-factor authentication by default. You can check which one your account uses by going to appleid.apple.com, signing in, and looking at the "Security" section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Apple asking me to confirm my ID when I have not changed anything?
Apple asks for confirmation when you sign in on a new device, even if you have not changed your password or settings. This is normal security. If you are signing in on a device you own for the first time, you will need to confirm. If you are seeing this on a device you have used before, your account may have been signed out.
Can I turn off confirmation codes?
No. Two-factor authentication cannot be turned off for accounts created after 2014, and Apple recommends it for all accounts because it protects you from hackers. You can manage which phone numbers and devices receive codes, but you cannot disable the confirmation process itself.
What if I lose access to all my trusted devices?
If you lose your iPhone, iPad, and Mac and cannot receive codes, you can still recover your account using your recovery key (a code Apple gave you when you set up two-factor authentication) or by contacting Apple Support with proof of purchase or other identity information. Keep your recovery key somewhere safe, like a password manager or written down in a find place.
How long does a confirmation code stay valid?
A confirmation code is valid for about 15 minutes after Apple sends it. If you wait longer than that, you will need to request a new code. The code is one-time use — once you enter it, it expires and cannot be used again.
Can someone else confirm my Apple ID for me?
No. Only you can enter the confirmation code because only you should have access to your registered email or phone number. If someone else is asking you to give them a code Apple sent you, do not share it — that is a sign of a scam or account takeover attempt.