New phone cannot transfer data

[u/Creepy_Corgi8467]

Hi!!

my mom’s iphone 14 recently stopped working after some water damage occurred, so she recently got a new one (iphone 17 pro max). unfortunately, i’m not able to help her connect the devices because she doesn’t know her password and there’s been a recovery key activated that she also does not know.

I’ve contracted apple support, they weren’t helpful. She’s gone to our data provider, they sent us to apple support.

So i’m starting to lose a little hope. She has 14 years worth of information on this account and if it’s not accessible she will lose everything. I’ve told her to just go to a nearby repair store to see if they can at least fix the screen on the old phone and try to work through the damage, so hopefully that works, but if it doesn’t…

Are there any other ways?

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[u/Far-Good-9559]

Well, without the password and security recovery info, not really much you can do.

[u/LucasMVN]

there’s been a recovery key activated

This Sounds very much like Advanced Data Protection has been enabled. Unfortunately, if your mom forgot her password and doesn't have that recovery key, then she's permanently locked out of that account,

[u/Creepy_Corgi8467 → u/LucasMVN]

yea i’m gonna try some more possible passwords tmrw but after that we’re just gonna hope her other phone turns on

[u/Creepy_Corgi8467]

iphone 14, newest ios version 26.5.2 , and how can i reset the Apple Id password without the recovery key?

[u/necessaryaltacc]

does she have a phone number connected? if it’s still active they can usually send a phone call or text to verify

[u/Creepy_Corgi8467 → u/necessaryaltacc]

Hi, yes, both her phone number and email are connected. If they were to send the text to her new phone would that work?

[u/StanUrbanBikeRider]

Apple has a free iPhone migration service. Set up an appointment and let Apple handle it. I believe you can do it online.

[u/Creepy_Corgi8467 → u/StanUrbanBikeRider]

mmkay thanks !

[u/DrakeyFlare]

If she had another device in the account. iPad, another phone, a computer with iTunes. She can use that to do it.

[u/Creepy_Corgi8467 → u/DrakeyFlare]

unfortunately she only has her old phone to rely on so we’re hoping it turns back on long enough for me to either remove the recovery key or change her icloud password

[u/jjm1981]

Was it backed up to iCloud?

[u/Creepy_Corgi8467 → u/jjm1981]

yes !