A few months ago, while traveling, I tried to log into my Apple Account on a different device—nothing major, just checking something quickly.
I entered what I thought was my password, but apparently, I got it wrong too many times and got locked out.
If you’ve ever been locked out of your Apple account, you know the feeling. It’s like being locked out of your own digital house.
Suddenly, I couldn’t access iCloud, couldn’t use Messages, couldn’t even download a boarding pass from my email. It was like losing the keys to everything important in my life.
I went through the usual steps: tried password recovery, confirmed my identity, and answered the security questions.
But with spotty Wi-Fi and limited time before my flight, it was one giant headache. And that’s when I learned about something Apple offers that would’ve made the entire ordeal much less stressful: Apple Account Recovery Contacts.
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If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry—you’re not alone. It’s one of those low-key features Apple added in iOS 15, and it doesn’t get much attention. But it should.
You can assign a trusted friend or family member to help you regain access to your Apple Account if you ever get locked out.
Once you add them as a recovery contact and they accept, Apple can send them a one-time recovery code that you can use to unlock your account. You no longer have to wait hours—or days—for Apple Support to verify your identity.
How to Set a Recovery Contact for Your Apple Account
Follow these steps to set up a recovery contact for your Apple Account.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap [your name] at the top.
- Select Sign-In & Security.
- Under the Recovery Methods section, select Recovery Contacts and tap Add Recovery Contact.
- Pick someone from your contacts, send them an invite, and you’re done.
There are a few requirements for someone to be eligible to be your recovery contact:
- Your device must be running iOS 15, iPadOS 15, or macOS Monterey or later.
- You must be over the age of 13.
- You need two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple Account.
- You need a passcode set up on your device.
That person won’t have access to your Apple data, but they will be your lifeline if you forget your password or get locked out.
I set mine up as soon as I got back home. And let me tell you—just knowing it’s there gives me peace of mind.
If you’re someone who’s ever forgotten a password, lost a phone, or just had a rough travel day, set this up, and your future self will thank you.
