[TheNewsIsHere]

At the risk of being pedantic, no. Apple Stores aren’t able or empowered to provide Apple ID support beyond what the public website based recovery workflows provide. I am sure someone will note that someone at an Apple Store has helped them reset an Apple ID password. What I mean is that Apple Store employees have neither procedure nor access to override Apple’s account system. You have to call support for assistance beyond what the website can do. I am sure Apple Store employees have been helpful and I’m sure policies have changed over time.

As an Apple user I find this as frustrating as it is wise. Mostly for future-me who may one day not be as savvy and manage to screw myself.

I don’t fully trust iCloud Keychain and Apple to never lose my data in a “I don’t concern myself with backups” manner. So I opt for using Passkeys where I can also add my FIDO2 tokens.

[dijit]

Eh. Pedantically; the Apple Store will at least try to help you, even if they’re not empowered to fix it they will guide you through the process until there is a resolution.

It’s not as “you’re on your own” as some products I’ve owned.

[r00fus]

This is key. That the Apple Store can't directly help you doesn't mean they won't direct you to the proper person (and possibly stay with you if possible & desired)

[quadrifoliate]

I suspected this, which is why I accounted for it – the point is that if Apple started getting enough bad press, they would have to put Apple ID verification in their stores, because their customers are the people who pay for Apple products.

Google's customers are mostly the people that get to show you ads. So they don't seem to care about even the paying users for their products. And it's sad that Apple seems to be going the way of trying to be an ad platform as well.