windows 11 will not let me verify my apple account in iCloud for windows

Question

windows 11 will not let me verify my apple account in iCloud for windows

CHET MARTIN 15

i can install and setup iCloud for windows but when the program asks me to verify my account it will not complete the process

Deny Hyde 0 Reputation points

2026-04-11T19:38:06.8466667+00:00
Have similar issue. This app is issue already about 1 year prior.

the app cannot login automatically after reinstalling, even though it already recognized my apple ID. It said "Verification Failed". Already reset the app or reinstalling but the issue still persists.

if tried re login manually again (change user ID and re-enter the account), the app always needs "re-verify your email address". And the app still cannot use, even the iCloud photo cannot sync.

3 answers

Your answer

Deny Hyde 0 Reputation points

2026-04-11T19:38:06.8466667+00:00

Have similar issue. This app is issue already about 1 year prior.

the app cannot login automatically after reinstalling, even though it already recognized my apple ID. It said "Verification Failed". Already reset the app or reinstalling but the issue still persists.

if tried re login manually again (change user ID and re-enter the account), the app always needs "re-verify your email address". And the app still cannot use, even the iCloud photo cannot sync.

Answer 1

Confirming the VPN cause: it applies on the PC side too. Full debugging from my side below.

My setup: iCloud for Windows 15.10.39.0 (Microsoft Store), Windows 11 26H2 (26300.9711). Same symptoms as in this question: the password is accepted, but sign-in or "Verify your Apple Account" fails with "Authentication failed. Retry will be attempted.", "iCloud for Windows has not fully initialized", or "error connecting to the Apple Account server". No approval prompt ever shows up on the iPhone.

In the iCloud logs (%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\AppleInc.iCloud_nzyj5cx40ttqa\LocalCache\Local\Logs\iCloudHome.*.log) I saw:

AKValidateAppleIDCredentials returned -9106 (also -7005)
piggybackErrorCode=-9106, statName "approveDevice"
Failed to obtain public APS push token / Device registration failed

The fix: disconnect Tailscale from the tray icon, click Verify again, approve on the iPhone, then reconnect. I wasn't using an exit node. Just having Tailscale "Connected" (with MagicDNS on) was enough to break the device-approval step. My iPhone is also on the same tailnet, which may matter. Once the PC is verified, everything keeps working with Tailscale back on.

So whatever VPN you use (Tailscale, WireGuard, corporate VPN, etc.), turn it off on both the PC and the iPhone for the sign-in, as the OP found with the VPN on the iPhone. Things I tried first that did not help: rolling back 26H2, resetting and reinstalling iCloud, wiping Apple registry/data, and removing third-party smart-card middleware.

Two other things that also bit me along the way:

Windows Firewall Control (or any outbound-blocking firewall) silently blocks the iCloud executables. Allow everything under C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\AppleInc.iCloud_*\iCloud\, plus msedgewebview2.exe for the verification window.
Advanced Data Protection adds an extra device-approval step, which is what kept failing for me. Turning it off temporarily changed the error, but the real fix was Tailscale.

Full write-up on Apple Community: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256383864

Answer 2

GsN5034 - IA 79,820 Independent Advisor

Hi,

Could you please try reinstalling the iCloud app from the Microsoft Store once again and check if you’re able to sign in successfully?

If possible, turn on the hotspot on your iPhone, connect your Windows PC to your iPhone’s network, and then try signing in to iCloud with your account.

Try restarting both the devices.

Let me know if you still need more help.

CHET MARTIN 15 Reputation points

2026-03-08T22:33:32.84+00:00

did all that and get the same result, must be something blocking the sign in
CHET MARTIN 15 Reputation points

2026-03-09T17:57:33.55+00:00

Found Problem my iPhone has a VPN on and was not disabled, turned off and iCloud took the code
GsN5034 - IA 79,820 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-10T06:34:24.9366667+00:00

Hi,

Glad that you have resolved the issue!

Have a good day.
Christina Parissi 0 Reputation points

2026-04-10T22:02:37.1966667+00:00

I have a VPN and iCloud for Windows installed properly, but now it says, "Re-verify your email address" so you don't lose your stuff or something like that, and I can't re-verify it, it won't let me,
Deny Hyde 0 Reputation points

2026-04-11T19:36:42.85+00:00
Have similar issue. This app is issue already about 1 year prior.

the app cannot login automatically after reinstalling, even though it already recognized my apple ID. It said "Verification Failed". Already reset the app or reinstalling but the issue still persists.

if tried re login manually again (change user ID and re-enter the account), the app always needs "re-verify your email address". And the app still cannot use, even the iCloud photo cannot sync.

Answer 3

GsN5034 - IA 79,820 Independent Advisor

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

After entering your email address and password, you will be asked to verify your identity on your iPhone (Apple device). That is,

A message with a verification code will be sent to your Apple device (iPhone or iPad). Unlock the device that you have, approve the sign-in request for your account, and a verification code will be displayed. Enter that code in iCloud for Windows, and you should be able to sign in successfully.

Are you having trouble signing in after entering the verification code, or are you no longer receiving any verification codes?

Have you tried reinstalling the iCloud for Windows app and then checking if you can sign in successfully?

CHET MARTIN 15 Reputation points

2026-03-08T03:43:04.0933333+00:00

yes trouble after entering the code in the computer

i enter code , sign in starts , the next thing is a pop up saying my computer must be on the same blue tooth or Wi-Fi

it is on the same network

when i load the app i have all the screens pictures, contacts -cal

but when i try to enter the i do not get the do you trust popup with do you trust this computer i( do not) i (do trust)

this is where i think the problem is

talked with Apple and they said as long as you can sign in to iTunes , icloud.com, & Apple music. its a windows problem
CHET MARTIN 15 Reputation points

2026-03-08T03:46:09.7566667+00:00

i have a surface and no problems with iCloud