Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, and then tap Continue on the next screen. Tap Turn On Anyway if you see a compatibility warning about older devices. Check your phone number is correct. How I shared iCloud Drive folders from iOS 13.4 and macOS. Apple has released a new Software update version recently for iOS and macOS as well. As a new release, it has updated new features for iPhone,iPad, and Mac. Oct 11, 2019 How to Run 32-Bit Apps in macOS Catalina. Apple's latest version of macOS, Catalina, officially ditches 32-bit app support, but you can still run the software you need by following these steps.
Keep your passwords safe
Check If Two-factor Auth Setup For Macos Catalina Island
Protecting personal security and privacy is one of the most essential requirements for tech users today. But first it’s important to understand the options available and risks associated with them, so you can decide what works best for you.
Two factor authentication is a method of security that grants access only after the user presents two different pieces of evidence that confirm their identity or access — typically, knowledge (something only they know) and possession (something only they have). Apple ID two factor authentication is one of the most common instances: it requires a secondary verification code from a trusted device in addition to your standard password when you need to verify Apple ID from a different iPhone or MacBook.
Considering that an Apple ID account contains credit card information, contact addresses, emails and phone numbers, photos and videos, backups, notes, and purchase history, the ability to protect this data is crucial.
Get even better protection for Mac with Setapp
Apart from two factor authentication, there are tons of ways to keep your data safe. Download Setapp and get access to all of them.
The two factor authentication process that Apple initiated a few years ago has become commonplace by now, but you might choose to reduce this complexity and turn off two factor authentication from your account for a variety of reasons too.
With dozens of active accounts and services — that all seem to have different requirements for creating login credentials — it can be overwhelming to manage all of your passwords across different devices and make sure you understand the process to access each one when you need to.
Sometimes flaws in technology or human error can get you locked out of an account, or the personal info that you’ve used at registration has changed and become difficult to keep consistent. By removing two factor authentication, you might feel less anxiety of trusting yet another system (or your own memory) to function properly all of the time, and reduce the fear of being mistakenly logged out.
You might regularly use different, untrusted devices to access your account, such as a school or public workspaces, and get tired of completing two factor authentication all day long. If you frequently change your phone number or upgrade your hardware, you might want to avoid connecting these accounts or devices with the two factor authentication process.
It’s possible you’re less concerned about the privacy of your information if you only use your account for limited, basic features or plan to use a device for a short time. For example, borrowing a device during repairs or renting one for travels.
Besides, most of us want to avoid going through the technical support process or have difficulty troubleshooting these issues on our own if we get locked out of our Apple ID login during the two factor authentication process. At least, some Apple ID verification settings can be configured to your own preference and updated at any time, so it’s critical to understand the process and what works for you.
What Is Apple Two Factor Authentication?
Apple two factor authentication is a security system that requires a secondary code in addition to the password on your account to be entered when you’re logging in from a new or untrusted device. For instance, if you’re using a friend’s computer that you’ve never used before to access your account on the Apple login page, you’ll be required to enter a code sent to a phone number or email address that has already been verified with your account, in addition to your usual Apple ID password.
You won’t be asked for the secondary code again once you’ve successfully logged in with that device unless you sign out, delete the device, or need to change your password due to a security breach.
The two step authentication process enhances security because even if someone were to know the password for your Apple ID, unless they have access to a predetermined trusted device, they can’t log into that account. The feature ensures that your Apple account gets accessed only on iOS and macOS devices that you trust.
The risk of anyone except you being able to provide both your Apple ID login password and the code accessed through another trusted account is very low, but might not be worth the added cumbersome process for some users. So then how to turn off two step verification?
Can you turn off two factor authentication for your Apple ID?
If you created your Apple ID in an earlier version of iOS or macOS, you should be able to turn off two factor authentication for your Apple ID login. And if you turn off two factor authentication with your Apple ID you’ll return to a two step verification process that relies on the proper input of a password and answering security questions to gain lost Apple ID access or when signing in from a new device. This alternative two step verification though can’t be turned off as Apple requires at least one of the login methods in place.
You also won’t be able to turn off two factor authentication for Apple IDs created in iOS 10.3 or macOS Sierra 10.12.4 and later. If you don't see the option to turn off two factor authentication on your Apple ID login page, that likely means you’re not able to turn it off. In such cases, you’ll have to contact Apple support to request that they disable two factor authentication, or register a new iCloud ID on the Apple ID website and change the iCloud ID on your device.
How to turn off two factor authentication for your Apple ID
If you’ve confirmed that two factor authentication is active on your account and you would like to remove it, just follow the steps below.
For desktop:
Sign into your account at the Apple login page from any computer and browser. If you’re using an unknown device, you may have to complete two factor authentication at this point.
In the Security section, click Edit
Locate the Two Factor Authentication section that says the feature is On and click to Turn Off Two Factor Authentication, then click again to verify
Create new security questions and verify your date of birth — this enables two step verification instead
Check your inbox associated with your Apple ID account for an email that confirms the two factor verification is off
For mobile:
Go to Settings
Tap your Apple ID ➙ Password & Security
Tap Turn Off Two Factor Authentication
Tap Continue
Manage Apple ID without two factor authentication
If you’ve decided to turn off two factor authentication for your Apple ID login and completed the process for your account, there are other options available to keep your security organized and accessible. Without two factor authentication enabled, you’ll have to access your Apple ID with a password and provide answers to security questions.
Keeping this information securely stored will help you feel confident about accessing your account any time you need to without stress, while protecting it from anyone else. Luckily, there are tools available to help you do just that.
Protection of passwords with Secrets app
If you get this app on your Mac, two factor authentication becomes redundant. Secrets will keep every password a secret.
Secrets is the most secure and straightforward password vault to keep and retrieve your sensitive account credentials, including your Apple ID login information. You can use it to save passwords and look them up yourself, or enable the autofill feature to have the app sign you into your accounts automatically.
Secrets can also be used to generate custom, strong passwords based on the specific requirements of the app or website you’re using, so you don’t have to worry about choosing a secure password yourself. All passwords in Secrets are encrypted within the robust interface but are easily organized and searchable at the same time. Use Secrets across all your Apple devices to always have your Apple ID login information at hand.
Best of all, try Secrets for free when you sign up for a 7-day trial with Setapp, the desktop suite that curates, recommends, and gives you custom access to a collection of more than 150 best-in-class Mac apps.
Your privacy is a personal right that you should feel confidently in control of. Keeping informed with your options, tools or resources available to help, and understanding the processes will ensure your peace of mind about your own security.
We get a lot of questions from our readers wondering how two-factor authentication can be turned off. It seems that some users find that two-factor authentication is annoying and it is understandable that they may have various concerns about wanting to turn off two-factor; even though it helps enhance your account’s security by making it a lot more difficult for someone else to sign in to your Apple account.
So we decided to write this short article. The purpose of this article is simply to answer this question: Is it possible to disable two-factor authentication, and if so, how can you do that?
See also: Cannot Reset Apple ID Security Questions?
Disabling two-factor authentication
So, is it possible to disable this? The short answer is maybe but it is highly likely that you cannot. If you already turned on this, you may turn it off within two weeks. Then you would be able to go to the apple.com website and go to manage my account. You would be able to turn it off there, if it shows. Here is exactly how you can do that:
- Visit appleid.apple.com
- Enter your Apple ID and password and log in
- Find the Security section
- Click Edit
- Then click “Turn off two-factor authentication” (if you do not see this, then you cannot turn this off). Once you click, you will be asked to confirm: “If you turn off two-factor authentication, your account will be protected with only your password and security questions”. Click Continue.
But if you cannot find the option to turn off this, then it means it can not be turned off. As we stated above it cannot be disabled after it has been on for two weeks or longer. If this is the case, you cannot turn off this security feature. Apple does not allow it. And here is why.
Why I Cannot Turn Off Two-Factor Aunhetication
Your account is more secure when you use Two-factor authentication so that no-one else can access your account even if someone else knows your Apple password. And a lot of iOS and macOS features (iCloud Keychain, iCloud Messages etc) require this extra level of security.
Apple introduced this feature in 2015 with iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 El Capitan.
Please note that two-factor authentication and two-step verification is NOT the same thing. They are different. Two-step verification is an older security method than two-factor authentication.
Check If Two-factor Auth Setup For Macos Catalina 2017
If you are using two-step verification, you CAN turn this off. If you want to turn this off:
- Go to https://appleid.apple.com/
- Enter your Apple ID and password to login
- Scroll down and go to the “Security” section
- Click Edit
- Click “Two-Step Verification…” and then you will be asked to confirm. You will be asked: Turning-off two-step verification will make your account less secure. Are you sure you want to proceed? Click to confirm and you are done.
Please further note that if your device is running iOS 11 (or later) or macOS High Sierra, you will be automatically switched you from two-step to two-factor.
See also: Change Apple ID email