[caeril]

> because each one requires a working phone number to create

This isn't true. I have an email-only apple account that works fine. My lock screen constantly carries a "Verify your phone number" badge that's rather annoying, but otherwise everything functions.

[sneak]

It is true today. It wasn't in the past.

You can't today make a new Apple ID without a phone number.

(Please double check that your information is current before you claim something is false.)

[tatersolid]

I made apple IDs for all three of my children without a phone number or pre-existing email address (their @icloud.com email was their first, created during setup).

[ValentineC]

I believe they've started requiring phone numbers and some form of SMS two-factor authentication on new accounts.

(I've gone through this recently when I created a new, separate account.)

[amelius]

So... it works until it doesn't? What if you are traveling and Apple decides they really need your phone number this time, and locks you out of your stuff?

[oarsinsync]

What if you are traveling and Apple decides they really need another identifier, and locks you out of your stuff?