Your Apple ID contains vital information like your Address and Credit cards numbers which can be potentially misused in case your Apple ID Password gets compromised. In case this bothers you, you can gain a peace of mind by enabling Two-Factor Authentication to add an extra layer of security to your Apple ID.

Before going through the exact steps to enable Two-Factor Authentication for Apple ID, let us take a brief look at What exactly is Two-Factor Authentication and how it is different from Two-Step Verification that some of you might already be familiar with.

What is Two-Factor Authentication?

SAASPASS two-factor authentication secures Mac OS X computers. Two-factor authentication for Apple desktops and mobile products is available with the SAASPASS two-factor authentication app. Download the SAASPASS Computer Connector to securely unlock your computer. The SAASPASS Computer Connector works on Apple Macs that support Mavericks.

MacOS Catalina adds oAuth authentication support for outlook.com users in Mail for improved security. OAuth support for outlook.com accounts enables users to use two-factor authentication in Mail. SAASPASS two-factor authentication secures Mac OS X computers. Two-factor authentication for Apple desktops and mobile products is available with the SAASPASS two-factor authentication app. Download the SAASPASS Computer Connector to securely unlock your computer. The SAASPASS Computer Connector works on Apple Macs that support Mavericks.

Two-Factor Authentication is a new security feature which was introduced by Apple in 2015 with the release of iOS 9 and Mac OS X EI Captain.

When you enable Two-Factor Authentication for your Apple ID, your Apple Account will be protected even if someone manages to guess your Apple ID password and tries to login to your Account.

Since you have enabled Two-Factor Authentication, the login process will request for the verification code in addition to the Apple ID password, making it harder for anyone to gain access to your Apple Account.

Now all this will sound familiar to those who are already used to the Two-Step verification process. However, Two-Factor Authentication is an upgraded, improved and a more secure version of Two-Step Verification process that you might be already using for your Apple Accounts.

Difference Between Two-Factor Authentication and Two-Step Verification

One major difference between Two-Step Verification and Two-Factor Authentication is the location feature that Apple has introduced in Two-Factor Authentication.

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In Two-Factor Authentication, you will be first shown a map indicating the location of the device from which your Apple Account is being logged-in. This feature immediately shows you if someone is trying to login to your Account from a location that is not familiar to you.

After taking a look at the location map, you can choose to receive the Verification Code on your phone, or choose the Don’t Allow option to block the code, in case the location is unknown to you.

As you will agree, this setup is more secure compared to the Two-Step Verification which simply sent a notification to your phone with a four digit verification code, whenever you or anyone tried to login to your Apple Account.

No Recovery Key in Two-Factor Authentication

Another major difference between Two-Factor Authentication and Two-Step Verification is the removal of the Recovery key in Two-Factor Authentication.

Instead of using the Recovery Key, you are now required to make use of Apple’s online Request Account Recovery feature in order to regain access to your Account, in case you happen to forget your Apple ID Password.

Two-Factor Authentication Only Works on Apple Devices

Unlike Two-Step Verification, you cannot enable Two-Factor Authentication on your Windows Computer, Chromebook Android Phone or any other non-Apple device.

In order to enable Two-Factor Authentication you will need an Apple Device running iOS 9 or newer or a Mac running Mac OS X El Captain or newer.

Also, you will need to disable Two-Step Verification, before being able to Enable Two-Factor Authentication for your Apple ID. You cannot have both Two-Step verification and Two-Factor Authentication protecting your Apple Account at the same time.

Disable Two-Step Verification

As mentioned above, you will first need to Disable Two-Step Verification for your Apple ID (in case you have it enabled) by following the steps below.

1. On your computer visit appleid.apple.com and sign into your Apple Account.

2. On the next screen, locate the Security section and click on the Edit link (See image below)

3. Next, click on Turn Off Two-Step Verification, located under the sub-heading two-step verification.

4. You will see a pop-up, once again click on Turn Off Two-Step Verification.

5. On the next screen, you will be required to answer Security questions, confirm your Date of birth and Recovery email.

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Enable Two-Factor Authentication on iPhone, iPad or iPod

Follow the steps below to enable Two-Factor Authentication on your iPhone, iPad or iPod running iOS 9 or later.

1. From the home screen of your iPhone, iPad or iPod, tap on Settings.

2. On the Settings screen, tap on iCloud

3. Next, tap on your Name (See image below)

4. On the pop-up screen, enter the Password for your Apple ID and tap on OK

5. On the Apple ID screen, tap on Password & Security

6. On the Password & Security screen, tap on the Setup Two-Factor Authentication… link.

7. On the next screen, tap on the Continue link (see image below)

8. Next, enter in your Phone Number and select as to how you would like to receive the Verification Code. You can choose either via Text Message or via Phone Call

9. On the next screen, enter the Verification Code that you have just received from Apple on the Phone Number that you had provided in step 8 above.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Mac

As mentioned above, you can also Enable Two-Factor Authentication code on your Mac running Mac OS X El Captain or later version of the operating system.

1. Click on the Apple icon, located in the top left corner of your screen and then click on System Preferences.

2. On the next screen click on iCloud (See image below)

3. Next, click on the Account Details button

4. On the next screen, click on the Security tab and then click on Setup Two-Factor Authentication button (See image below)

5. You will see a pop-up window, click on the Setup button to start the process of setting up Two-Factor Authentication on your Mac.

6. On the next screen, you will be required to verify your identity by answering Security Questions. Answer the security questions and click on Verify to continue.

7. Next, enter the Phone Number on which you want to receive the Verification Code. Also, select how you want to receive the Verification code (Text Message or Phone call) and click on the Continue button.

8. On the next screen, enter the Verification Code that you have just received from Apple on the phone number that you provided in Step 7 and click on Continue.

You have now successfully setup Two-Factor Authentication for your Apple account on your Mac.

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From now on whenever you sign into your Apple Account from an unknown computer, you will receive a verification code on your Mac, along with a map showing you the location from where your Apple Account is being accessed.

Disable Two-Factor Authentication on iPhone and Mac

In case you do not like Two-Factor Authentication, you can easily disable Two-Factor Authentication using your iPhone or Mac.

1. On your iPhone or Mac, visit appleid.apple.com.

2. On the next screen, locate the Security section and click on the Edit link (See image below)

3. Next, locate the Two-Factor Authentication section and click on Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication link.

4. On the next screen, once again click on Turn Off two-Factor Authentication, to confirm that you do want to turn off the feature.

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5. On the next screen, you will be required to answer security questions and click on Continue.

6. Next, you will be required to confirm your Date of Birth and provide your Recovery Email (in case you have one) and tap on Continue to finish the process of disabling Two-Factor Authentication for your Apple ID.