Update iCloud Account Settings Loop Only in Big Sur

[tron2]

Hi everyone,

I am facing a very complicated problem when transitioning to Big Sur. I have googled all most all the options relating to this issue (there is only one last option that I can think of and I really do not want to try that b/c scared of losing icloud data).

In Big Sur in New MBA 2020 M1 - my icloud is Not enabling Keychain and it is stuck in forever loop on Update Apple Account Settings message on MacOS Settings. If keychain is not enabled then I can't even get full icloud imessage working etc.

Now I will explain some of the complexities that I have faced. Even Apple has a put a ticket on this issue, the support could not figure this issue out when compared to my older Mac with Catalina on - where everything works.

I have 2 Macs - one is 2017 Macbook and other is 2020 M1 Macbook Air.

Originally when I installed Big Sur as an upgrade in 2017 Macbook - same issue started to happen. So I decided to downgrade and went back all the way to High Sierra as that is the what the Macbook originally came with.

2017 Macbook
High Sierra --- iCloud fully syncs and works
Mojave Update -- iCloud fully syncs and works
Catalina Update -- iCloud gave some errors like update account - I clicked update (errors went away) and everything syncs including Keychain

Now in brand new 2020 M1 Macbook Air - which comes with Big Sur - keychain will not work, it is not even downloading from the cloud and Update Account error persist.

I have even deleted/rename the "Long folder which is renamed like a key" folder only inside ~/library/keychains and still results in same issue. Signed out of iCloud etc. All the steps that I could find on google and forums. ---- just not working.

The one option that I can think of is to change the iCloud Password. I just do not want that issue of account settings migrate to working macbook and phones. Just worried on what is going on.

Macbook Air has latest Big Sur 11.2.3 installed.

Any help on how to fix this would be great help.

AppleCare Support on phone could not solve this issue - They even logged in via screen share to look at the both systems to see on how it works in Catalina in Macbook and not in MBA Big Sur.

I will take all the advanced help on this - even if it requires to go into the Terminal.

Thank You

 

[tron2]

Anyone know on what I can do?

I even tried Migration Assistant hoping that library keychains will be copied over and still no luck. Even wiped out complete mac and reinstalled Big Sur on the M1 MBA.

The darn keychain is not getting enabled at all along with Update Apple ID settings.

Super annoying issue and exhausted

 

[chabig]

That sounds like a tough problem. I don't think downgrading operating systems is ever useful. I would suggest this:

1. Log out of iCloud on every device, not one at a time, but all together, so that nothing is logged into your iCloud account.

2. While logged out, go to https://appleid.apple.com and change your AppleID password. I do this once a year as a standard security practice.

3. Then log back into your account on each of your devices one at a time. Be patient! Don't expect syncing to occur immediately. Just log into each one and wait at least a day so everything has time to settle.

 

[tron2]

That sounds like a tough problem. I don't think downgrading operating systems is ever useful. I would suggest this:

1. Log out of iCloud on every device, not one at a time, but all together, so that nothing is logged into your iCloud account.

2. While logged out, go to https://appleid.apple.com and change your AppleID password. I do this once a year as a standard security practice.

3. Then log back into your account on each of your devices one at a time. Be patient! Don't expect syncing to occur immediately. Just log into each one and wait at least a day so everything has time to settle.

This is the only option that I am worried about - if I log out of everything...what happens to Apple 2FA - where does it contact me then on verification.

And also worried if Macbook loses its keychain.

Doesn't Apple delete all keychains if all devices are logged out? I am sure I read that somewhere

 

[chabig]

I don't see why signing out of iCloud on your devices would prompt the deletion of all of your online data. The stuff in the cloud should remain. You just won't have any devices connected to it.

For verification, if you don't have any trusted devices, the 2FA verification will be sent as a text message to your trusted phone number.

Two-factor authentication for Apple Account - Apple Support

Two-factor authentication is designed to make sure that you're the only person who can access your account. Learn how it works and how to turn on two-factor authentication.

support.apple.com

 

[tron2]

Yep this is a very special issue now. My case is gone to a specialist. Man, why did my account have to be the special one....I hope fixes come out of my situation and benefits everyone else.

 

[internetrando]

I am suffering from the same issue--came out of nowhere. Has anyone found any solution for this?

 

[tripkip]

Exactly the same problem happens to my wife's account. I completely deleted the user account from Big Sur (Users' folder removed completely) and the problem persists after adding the account again.

@tron2 Can you please share if your case was resolved by the specialist?