Can I Create an Apple Account without Giving My Phone Number?

Lmememe1231 on 26/11/2024 - 22:44

Hi everyone

I have several questions.
Am I allowed to create an apple account with a false name or do I have to show my real name? If so, do you know why they need my identity ?

Second question, if I create it with a fake name (no identity theft obviously, I just don't want to appear with my name in their database) how can I divert their request for a phone number ?

If not, do you have any recommendations for remaining as anonymous as possible when creating this type of account?

Or do I have another way to download my applications and make MAC backups?

Thanks

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Comments

  • MS Paint on 26/11/2024 - 22:49
    -1

    Hundreds of millions of people have created apple IDs without security issues for over a decade.

    Why do you think you'll be the unlucky one?

    • mememe1231 on 26/11/2024 - 23:04
      -4

      No security issues.
      I like to keep a secret identity on the internet, that's all. And even more so when it's American giants.
      I know someone who spent a few weeks in detention on his way to the US because he wanted to protect the takeover of a local company by an American firm. And just with the extraterritoriality of their law, they can go pretty far. Of course, my case is completely different, but ideally I'd like to be inconito.
      It's a simple question and I'd like a simple answer.

      • MS Paint on 26/11/2024 - 23:08
        +1

        I like to keep a secret identity on the internet,

        Good luck with that. At least disable your ozbargain 'online now' status to hide yourself a bit more.

        It's a simple question and I'd like a simple answer.

        Then ozbargain forums are definitely not for you.

      • AustriaBargain on 27/11/2024 - 09:00
        +1

        Apple is a lot more privacy focused than most. If you're a hitman or something then sure, maybe you don't want them to have your number.

        • Nugs on 27/11/2024 - 13:51

          "maybe you don't want them to have your number."
          Unless they are hiring?
          .

          • AustriaBargain on 27/11/2024 - 15:52
            +1

            @Nugs: Trump may make corporate assassination legal. Anything is possible with that guy.

    • CascadeHush on 26/11/2024 - 23:04
      -5

      Apple have had security breaches and have given personal information to third parties. And even if that wasn’t true, it is always a possibility that those things could happen in the future.

  • Ynk on 26/11/2024 - 22:54
    +2

    You can use any name you want and they won't ask you for ID you will need a phone number (they have no way of linking that to you and it will not be discoverable to anyone else) if you are really concerned use a friends number or a SMS gateway. But do you come across as overly paranoid, what's your concern about using your name for an AppleID, do you use fake names for your electricity, mobile, internet access?

    • mememe1231 on 26/11/2024 - 23:06

      It's not the same, it's information that stays local.
      But thanks for your reply!

      • Ynk on 26/11/2024 - 23:16
        +2

        I would disagree with that assumption, it doesn't "stay local" almost any large company in Australia including banks share and have your information available/accessible by their overseas staff and partner organisations.

  • CodeXD on 26/11/2024 - 22:56
    +7

    I bet mememe1231 isn't even your real name!

    • mememe1231 on 26/11/2024 - 23:05

      you're too strong, how do you know?

  • CascadeHush on 26/11/2024 - 23:06

    Why do you need an Apple account? Serious question, so I can help.

    • mememe1231 on 27/11/2024 - 01:25

      I recently switched to MAC and I was on Linux before an environment I know well (yes I know it's weird to switch from a linux PC to a MAC but I was praised for the latest M3 chip installed and offered it). I need it to be able to boot the MAC, download applications and update them. But if you tell me that I can do without it, tell me how to do it, I'm interested.

      • hsp on 27/11/2024 - 09:11
        +3

        You don't need an AppleID to setup your Mac, there will be an option for "I don't have an apple ID". You can still download apps as normal as long as they're not from the app store. Also there is Linux for ARM Macs https://asahilinux.org/

        • Ynk on 27/11/2024 - 09:34
          +1

          Correct there is no need to use an Apple ID to setup a Mac you can just skip over it, the only limitation is you won't be able to download from the Apple App Store, you will need to download your Apps manually from external websites and potentially you won't be able to install/update Apple apps such as Numbers, Pages etc. but all OS updates etc will work normally.

          You say you recently switched, what exactly are you trying to do that isn't working?

          • mememe1231 on 27/11/2024 - 21:16

            @Ynk: I will try without, thanks!

          • mememe1231 on 29/11/2024 - 23:39

            @Ynk: There are some applications that I can't download from the internet, so it sends me straight to the app store, like Lockdown privacy for example.

            • Ynk on 30/11/2024 - 07:15

              @mememe1231: I'm not familiar with that App, if the developer only offers it via the App Store and not via any other channel you are stuck as you will need an AppleID to download from the App Store. You could reach out to the developer and ask if they have any other distribution methods or look to an alternative App that provides the same functionality perhaps.

              It's usually only very small/indie Apps that don't have alternative distribution methods.

  • zonra on 27/11/2024 - 00:35
    +1

    You could use a fake name, details and a burner number if you really want to.
    But what happens if you lose access / get hacked and Apple asks for your ID (for the fake details) to confirm your identity?

    • mememe1231 on 27/11/2024 - 01:29

      I can imagine. That's why I'm wondering. Now the question is, am I likely to lose access at some point? and why would I lose access?

  • ForkSnorter on 27/11/2024 - 07:27
    +1

    Your information is safer with Apple than with your bank, electricity provider, internet provider, mobile phone service provider, the government, Facebook, universities, etc. I wouldn't worry if I were you. More important things to worry about.

  • CascadeHush on 28/11/2024 - 18:11

    All fanboyism here, you are right not to trust apple. The cope here is proof enough of that. It's not even worth trying to make a reasonable point.

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