Unable to create Apple Account

[BewilderedBob]

I am a certified Apple "newbie" who just bought a iPhone 14 running iOS 18.2.1. I am completely confused by the software since an Apple account could not be created using either the phone or the Apple website from a desktop PC but the phone seems to work as advertised. Regardless of what combination of (1) phone # (either cell or landline) and (2) verification method (phone call or text) is entered a meaningless err msg appears that verification is not possible AT THIS TIME (whatever that means). In my humble opinion creating an acct shd be EZ but apparently an active acct is not needed for the device to work (for some unknown reason). Apple tech support has been contacted several times abt this issue but so far so bad. Any suggestions will be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Bewildered Bob

 

[BewilderedBob]

I am a certified Apple "newbie" who just bought a iPhone 14 running iOS 18.2.1. I am completely confused by the software since an Apple account could not be created using either the phone or the Apple website from a desktop PC but the phone seems to work as advertised. Regardless of what combination of (1) phone # (either cell or landline) and (2) verification method (phone call or text) is entered a meaningless err msg appears that verification is not possible AT THIS TIME (whatever that means). In my humble opinion creating an acct shd be EZ but apparently an active acct is not needed for the device to work (for some unknown reason). Apple tech support has been contacted several times abt this issue but so far so bad. Any suggestions will be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Bewildered Bob

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT ?? Today for some unknown reason an Apple acct can be created using a desktop PC. Altho exactly the same data had been entered dozens of times on the PC and also on the phone without success, finally the process is user-friendly and so far apparently works properly.

still Bewildered Bob

 

[J. A.]

Welcome to iPhone Forums!

There were a few problems with iCloud recently, which have been resolved in the meantime. It‘s possible that you were affected.

I‘m glad it finally worked.

 

[BewilderedBob]

Thanx for your reply but it only worked TEMPORARILY. The Apple acct was finally created and successfully accessed ONCE from a desktop PC and also from the iPhone until a "trusted (cell) phone" was added. Now the 2-factor authentication fails when using the PC to access the new acct and requesting a PHONE CALL ON MY LANDLINE (without text capability) with the required verification code. The resulting err msg is meaningless and absolutely no help in resolving this bug. VERY FRUSTRATING SINCE IT WORKED ONCE EARLIER TODAY. Two different PC browsers failed to receive verification code for 2-factor authentication. IMHO 2FA shd be able to be made dormant until it works as advertised or any bugs have been removed.

still very Bewildered Bob

 

[carolineM]

It sounds as if you have set up the two factor verification code to be received on your iPhone. That will be your mobile number, so you won’t be able to receive the code on your landline as well. You may on the other hand be able to forward text messages from the iPhone (and thus the codes) to other devices.