Knowing the Apple ID email address and the trusted phone number are a base requirement to start account recovery. You don't need access to number, just need to know what it is. Without it, yeah ... make a new account. Answer from Borplesnoots on reddit.com
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 118574
How to use account recovery when you can’t reset your Apple Account password - Apple Support
September 15, 2025 - If you previously set up an account recovery contact, they can also help you reset your password. If you know your password, but don’t have access to your trusted phone number for verification codes, learn what to do.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 252408325
Apple ID Account Recovery without Trusted Phone Number
February 4, 2021 - I don’t have any security questions options either. 10379 1 ... If you use security questions with your Apple ID, or if you don't have access to a trusted device or phone number, go to iforgot.apple.com. Then you can unlock your account with your existing password or reset your password.
Discussions

Forgot phone number for Apple ID - Apple Community
Sign in with your Apple ID. Go to the Security section and click Edit. If you want to add a phone number, click Add a Trusted Phone Number and enter the phone number. Choose to verify the number with a text message or automated phone call, and click Continue. To remove a trusted phone number, click x icon next to the phone number you want to remove. Update your trusted phone number through account recovery... More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
January 12, 2021
Apple ID recovery without old phone number - Apple Community
Recovering iCloud account without my trusted phone number AND device I haven't used my first iCloud for like 5 years now but I still know the password. When I tried logging in, it said I need my old phone number which I am not using. So I typed my old phone but I couldn't get the code and I don't use my old iPhone where I created my iCloud acc. How can I open or recover my old iCloud? 9382 1 · How to access old Apple ID ... More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
March 31, 2022
iCloud account recovery without old phone number or email
The post by shoeluvr13 at this ... iCloud account recovery with new phone nu… - Apple Community · You should consider making sure you have multiple trusted devices and telephone numbers (ask a friend or a relative). You may also wish to read the articles 'Two-factor authentication for Apple ID' ( Two-factor ... More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
December 31, 2024
How to create an apple ID without phone number?
"Confirm your phone number. This can help to verify your identity and recover your account if needed." More on discussions.apple.com
🌐 discussions.apple.com
January 31, 2023
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/applehelp › can't understand how to recover my apple id without my old phone number?
r/applehelp on Reddit: Can't understand how to recover my Apple ID without my old phone number?
December 28, 2022 -

Basically, the title.

I admit I am a very infrequent Apple user and I only have an iPad I bought some time in 2019. Back then I registered an Apple ID / iCloud account, but never really used it as I mostly use Google ecosystem.

Well, long story short, I logged out of this account on my iPad for the first time in 3 years and now when I am trying to log in again on the same device I am asked for a phone number with only last 2 digits shown. The problem is that I moved a few times and I have absolutely no idea what this number may be.

I have access to the e-mail, the account is registered to my legal name, I can look my apple ID up by using the name and e-mail, I remember my password (!), but I can't log into this account again because I don't remember the phone number and I can't find how to start the account recovery process - every time I try to go to some iforget... page, I end up with the same prompt for the phone number that I don't have with no other options suggested.

What should I do? Nothing really of value in that account, so I can probably just create a new one, but still... Am I missing something here?

Thanks!

🌐
Apple
support.apple.com › en-asia › 102627
If you forgot your Apple Account primary email address or phone number - Apple Support
You can use any of the email addresses or phone numbers on file to sign in to your Apple Account. If you can’t remember what you use to sign in, try to sign in with an email address or phone number that you regularly use for Apple services. Check if you’re signed in on your device.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 252291978
Forgot phone number for Apple ID - Apple Community
January 12, 2021 - Update your trusted phone number through account recovery · Go to appleid.apple.com. Sign in with your Apple ID. Select “Didn’t get a verification code?”, then select More Options. You'll be redirected to iforgot.apple.com. Complete your account recovery request.
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102641
Set up an account recovery contact - Apple Support
If you forget your Apple Account password or get locked out of your account, just follow the steps on your device to share the onscreen instructions with your recovery contact in-person or on the phone. Your recovery contact then shares a six-digit code that you enter on your device. After your identity is confirmed, you can reset your Apple Account password.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › docs › DOC-250008187
Reset Apple Account Password without the … - Apple Community
August 20, 2025 - If you use security questions with your Apple ID, or if you don't have access to a trusted device or phone number, go to iforgot.apple.com. Then you can unlock your account with your existing password or reset your password.
Find elsewhere
🌐
ICloud
icloud.com › recovery
iCloud Recovery - Apple iCloud
Recover files deleted from both iCloud Drive and other apps within the last 30 days, or restore an earlier version of your Calendar, Contacts and Safari bookmarks.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 253786462
Apple ID recovery without old phone number - Apple Community
March 31, 2022 - then the only thing that you can do is go into account recovery. You can do it from the device or you can go to iforgot.apple.com and you will have to type in your Apple ID then the OLD phone number because that is the phone number associated with your Apple ID.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 255909374
iCloud account recovery without old phone number or email
December 31, 2024 - ● On a Mac computer choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click your name (or Apple ID). Click Sign-In & Security, then add or remove a trusted phone number. ... Similar information for the iPhone can be found here --> Use two-factor authentication for your ...
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102656
If you forgot your Apple Account password - Apple Support
Click Sign in, then click “Forgot password” and follow the onscreen instructions. If you don’t have an Apple device but have access to your trusted phone number, you can borrow an Apple device from a friend or family member, or use one at an Apple Store.
Published   1 month ago
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 109345
Set up a recovery key for your Apple Account - Apple Support
Reset your password: To regain access to your Apple Account if you don’t have a trusted device or you’re locked out, you need to provide your recovery key and a verification code sent to your trusted phone number.
🌐
X
help.x.com › help center › username, email, and phone › how to add your phone number to your account
Adding your phone number to your X account
March 25, 2021 - Keeping your account secure. With a phone number on your account, you’ll be able to enroll in security features like login verification. Faster account recovery.
🌐
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 254602236
How to create an apple ID without phone number?
January 31, 2023 - It is not possible to create an Apple ID without providing a phone number.
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102640
If your Apple Account is locked, not active, or disabled - Apple Support
If you see a message that says your Apple Account is locked or not active, you might be able to request access to your account by tapping Request Access right from the alert.
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 106932
Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
October 22, 2025 - Find a phone number for your country or region, or start a SignTime session.
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 108647
How to create a new Apple Account - Apple Support
1 month ago - This primary email address will be what you use to sign in to your Apple Account.* Enter your payment method and billing information, then click Continue. You can also choose None. You won’t be charged until you make a purchase. Confirm your phone number. This can help to verify your identity and recover your account if needed.
🌐
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102560
If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support
October 1, 2025 - For example, check with your cellular carrier that SMS forwarding hasn't been set up for a phone number associated with your Apple Account. If you can't reset your Apple Account password or sign in to account.apple.com, go to iforgot.apple.com to start account recovery and regain access after ...
🌐
Google Support
support.google.com › accounts › troubleshooter › 2402620
Can't sign in to your Google Account - Google Account Help
Select the issue:You can't sign in to your device or an application, like Outlook.App passwords aren't working.You aren't getting codes by text or phone call.Codes from texts or phone calls aren't working.Codes from Google Authenticator aren't working.Your phone is lost or you can't use it.You're having a different issue.Your security key is lost.
🌐
T-Mobile
t-mobile.com › support › account › lost-or-stolen-device-help
Lost or stolen device help | T-Mobile Support
Remotely lock your missing device with a passcode and display a custom message with your phone number on the Lock screen. If you have Apple Pay set up on the device, it is disabled. A confirmation email is sent to the primary email address associated with your Apple ID. When you recover your device, you will need to unlock it with your passcode.