Earlier today, I tried to create a new Apple ID. Everything went according to plan and I was successful in creating it. When I tried to use the new ID on my Apple TV, it immediately asked me to use the ID on an iPhone or Mac to authenticate it. On my iPhone, it asks me to associate my phone number with the account. There is no way around it. If I don’t enter my phone number, it doesn’t let me move forward. In effect, the phone number will also enable 2FA. Is it impossible to not use my phone number now? What are the workarounds if they still exist?
As far as I know, no. Phone number is indeed needed. You can try to get around by using jmp.chat numbers and it may work but often doesn’t. I have only had it work when I selected to receive a call with the code instead of a message because the message never showed up but I did receive a call to set that up. So, give that a try.
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When did this change?
Some of my accounts are fairly old now, but have no 2FA enabled. I deem it to be more of a hassle than anything.
The new account seems to need a working number all the time as when I log out and back in, it’ll send a text to that number.
Not all the time. Apple does 2FA differently. They just need it to verify the account and your legitimacy. But they never text on the number for 2FA. They just need to verify a number. The issue is that almost always real numbers are needed, even if to verify only once.
If it’s just for once then I don’t see how you couldn’t use say SMSPool instead of jmp.chat
Because Apple is really strict and they are able to recognize use of such tools and numbers. You need legitimate numbers for them to approve. I tried it, didn’t work. Calling to the number only worked which is option Apple offers.
This was my experience. OP may try their luck.
that could be true, I tried to put an alias, Apple was not accepting it, so I just kept the same address alias and just created it under iCloud, that approved. It’s crazy
In terms of phone number I doubt apple can recognize that then again I only recently signed on to the platform so can’t say for sure but the phone numbers I used on SMSPool, it worked even on WhatsApp, in which WhatsApp is known to be strict on it’s phone number check so would not claim it’s impossible to verify with Apple that way. (SMSPool is not any typical free temporary sms verify service, it is paid and gives valid numbers that work on services)
Assumptions without valid proof again. Then again im kinda guilty but based off successfully singing up to whatsapp this way, would say that is the ladder
Apple is stricter than WhatsApp.
I have tried to make Apple Accounts many times over the years and it always needs a valid real (or jmp.chat) number to fully activate and verify your account. And no alias email addresses work either.
Like I said, my experience was this.
You can try using this:
I use a Twilio phone number for mine, but I mostly use it on my Macs; I don’t use it on iPhones (I use Android). Then again, my accounts are over 14 years old.
They do, SMS is your backup option for 2FA. When logging into iCloud you can opt to receive an SMS for logging in.
I didn’t know that for sure. I never used heir icloud.com. But it being backup makes sense.
So much for Apple being “privacy-friendly” according to Internet folklore.
It is privacy friendly. Privacy friendliness also has a range. It’s not binary or absolute. There’s a spectrum, I hope you know that?
Anyone else having issues with account creation while using a VPN?
Yes. Apple is getting very good at it. I had to disable the VPN in order for the error message to go away.
Yes, this is an issue too.
No.
Apple is way too strict about this. I once tried registering an “anonymous” account for Apple Music. VPN, email aliases, stuff like that. I had to fiddle around a lot only to find a way to sign up. But then, when I wanted to actually use their service, they requested me to verify my account on a Mac (i don’t have a mac and vms didn’t work). So I had to contact customer service, which was a painfully unpleasant and life-sucking experience. It literally took like 10 agents to get my account straight.
You could maybe make it work, but then again, is it really worth it? You can technically use smspool to sign up, but it will use that phone number for 2FA, meaning a temporary phone number will more than likely lock you out of the account. And of course, you can’t change it or move to a more secure way of authenticating. Thanks Apple!
Long story short, I’d rather find alternatives than using an Apple account.
I was curious after reading your comment and grabbed my iPhone (using iOS 15) and removed my phone number from my Apple account and it worked. The phone number was removed without problem. Here’s what I did: Settings > Apple ID > Name, Phone Numbers, Email > Email & Phone Numbers > Edit
Because your account already existed and was verified. This thread is about creating new ones with fake info for more privacy. Of course you can edit and change things after.