How to Add a Rescue Email Address for an Apple ID on an iPhone

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: July 28, 2022

Adding an Address

|

Verifying and Confirming

|

Tips

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Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to add an email address that can be used to verify your identity in the case of an account lock-out to your Apple ID account.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Adding an Address

1
Open your iPhone's Settings. Do so by tapping the grey gear icon on one of your Home screens (it might also be in a folder named "Utilities").
2
Scroll to the fourth group of options and select iCloud.

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3
Tap your Apple ID at the top of the page. You may have to enter your Apple ID password to proceed.
4
Tap Password & Security.
5
Select Add Rescue Email. This is under the "Rescue Email Address" heading. If you already have an email listed here, select it instead.
6
Type in the answers to two of your security questions.
7
Tap Verify. It's in the top right corner of your screen.
8
Type in an email address.
9
Tap Done. Now that your rescue email address has been added, you'll need to verify that it's an active address to complete the process.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Verifying and Confirming

1
Log into the email account you just typed in. For the easiest time possible, do this on a computer.
2
Open the email from Apple entitled "Verify your email address." If you don't see it, check your Spam folder (and your Updates folder if you're using Gmail).
3
Select the Verify now > link. It's in the body of the verification email.
4
Type in your Apple ID email address and password. These are different than your rescue email credentials.
5
Select Continue. As long as your Apple ID email address and password are correct, your rescue email address is now verified. You can use it to gain access to your account if you lose your password and/or security questions.

Warnings

If your rescue email address isn't up to date and you lose access to your account, you may not be able to verify your identity.

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