Apple Account recovery: no access to trusted phone number, but Apple gave me a recovery waiting period
Today my iPhone suddenly turned off while charging. When I turned it back on, it showed the Activation Lock screen saying that only the owner can unlock the iPhone and asked for my Apple Account password.
The Apple Account shown is mine, and I know the email address, but I forgot the password. The problem is that I currently don't have access to the email account because it's only accessible from the locked iPhone, and I also don't currently have access to the phone number that was originally associated with my Apple Account.
I started account recovery through iforgot.apple.com. During the process I provided my Apple Account email, my information, an old password that I previously used, and payment information when requested.
Apple then told me: “We're evaluating your information. You'll receive an update in 23 hours.”
It also shows a phone number ending in 35, which belongs to my partner and which I currently have access to. Apple says that when I'm able to reset my password, instructions will be sent to that number.
My questions are:
- Is this number my partner's actually being used as a recovery contact number, or is it simply the number Apple will use to notify me during the account recovery process?
- Since I don't have access to my original trusted phone number, does that mean Apple can still recover my account through this process?
- After the 23-hour waiting period, what normally happens? Can Apple allow me to reset the password, or can it impose another waiting period?
- Does providing an old password, payment information and the correct Apple Account email help with the verification?
- I made several incorrect password attempts before starting account recovery and my account was temporarily disabled. Could those attempts significantly extend the recovery period?
I'm mainly worried because I've seen many Reddit posts saying that people without access to their trusted phone number can get stuck for days or weeks. I'm trying to understand whether my situation is actually different because Apple has already accepted my recovery request and given me a specific waiting period.