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MikeOct
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

New Mac is trying to sync through iCloud to a long gone Mac.

I had a Mac and I loved it until it died about 5 years ago. Anyway, I just received my new Mac to replace a Windows laptop and love it except for this one little thing. Since I don't have the password to the original Mac, I can't sync the old iCloud data with the new. Is there a way to get my system to stop trying to sync through the old Mac? I just really want to get rid of that red 1 and be done with it.

Posted on Sep 17, 2026 2:24 PM

1 reply

WheelieNick
User level: Level 9 (74,110 points)

Sep 18, 2026 12:55 AM in response to MikeOct

To stop your new Mac from trying to approve itself through your old computer and clear that red notification badge, you need to remove the old Mac from your trusted devices and reset your iCloud end-to-end encrypted data.

Because your old Mac has been gone for 5 years, your iCloud is stuck waiting for an approval code from a device that cannot provide it.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256359287