How to Secure Your Apple Id Using Two-Factor Authentication

For today’s computer consumers, maintaining personal security and privacy is one of the most crucial criteria. To choose what is best for you, you must first comprehend the options available and the hazards connected with them. All of the content on your iPhone is accessible

through your Apple ID. Your Apple ID gives you access to everything, including contacts, calendars, photographs, and iCloud Drive.

Your Apple ID’s security is considerably increased with two-factor authentication. When you turn it on, access to your trusted devices or trusted phone number is required along with your password to sign in to your account. Two-factor authentication offers a layer of

convenience that you can enable with simplicity, regardless of whether you value privacy. The steps that you must take are listed below.

Take the following scenario: You have an iPhone and wish to use your Apple ID for the first time on a new iPad, Mac, or even a browser on any other device. The verification code that will automatically show on your iPhone will be required, along with your password. As a result of

prohibiting access to your account using merely your password, 2FA increases account security. Therefore, even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to log into your account and view your personal data.

How It Works:

Only you can access your account on a trusted device or the web with two-factor authentication. Your password and the six-digit verification code that is either automatically displayed on your trusted devices or texted to your phone number are required the first time you sign in to a

new device. You confirm that you trust the new device by entering the code. For instance, if you have an iPhone and are logging into your account on a brand-new Mac for the first time, you will be required to enter both your password and the verification code that is presented immediately on your iPhone.

Two-factor authentication significantly increases the security of your Apple ID and all the personal information you save with Apple because it makes it impossible for just your password to access your account.

On that device, once you’ve logged in, you won’t be prompted for a verification code once more unless you entirely log out, wipe the device clean, or need to change your password for security reasons. You can select to trust your browser when you sign in online so that you won’t be prompted for a verification code the following time you sign in from that device.

Trusted Gadgets

An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 9 or later, or a Mac running OS X El Capitan or later, are considered trusted devices if you have previously signed in to them using two-factor authentication. It’s a device we can identify as being yours, and it may be used to prove your

identity by showing an Apple verification code when you sign in on another computer or browser. When you sign in with your Apple ID, an Apple Watch running watchOS 6 or later can get verification codes, but it cannot serve as a trusted device for password resets.

Reliable Phone Numbers

A trusted phone number is one that can be used to receive text messages or automated phone calls containing verification codes. To sign up for two-factor authentication, you need to verify at least one trusted phone number.

You should also think about checking a different phone number you have access to, such as your home phone, a family member’s, or a close friend’s phone number. If you momentarily lack access to your primary number or your own devices, you may use this number.

Codes for Verification

When you use your Apple ID to sign in to a new device or browser, a verification code is a brief code that is sent to a trusted device or phone number. On your trusted device, go to Settings to acquire a verification code.

The device passcode you input to unlock your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is distinct from a verification code.

Set up two-factor authentication for your Apple ID

You can follow these steps to turn on two-factor authentication on your device. Learn more about the availability of two-factor authentication.

Turn on two-factor authentication on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Go to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
Tap Continue.
Enter the phone number where you want to receive verification codes when you sign in. You can choose to receive the codes by text message or automated phone call.
Tap Next.
Enter the verification code to verify your phone number and turn on two-factor authentication.

You might be asked to answer your Apple ID security questions.

Turn on two-factor authentication on your Mac

Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Apple ID.
Click Password & Security under your name.
Next to Two-Factor Authentication, click Turn On.

If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier:

Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click iCloud, and select Account Details.
Click Security.
Click Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.

Some Apple IDs created in iOS 10.3 or macOS 10.12.4 and later are protected with two-factor authentication by default. In this case, you see that two-factor authentication is already turned on.

Upgrade to two-factor authentication on the web

Go to appleid.apple.com, then sign in with your Apple ID.
Answer your security questions, then tap Continue.
You’ll see a prompt to upgrade your account security. Tap Continue.
Click Upgrade Account Security.
Enter the phone number where you want to receive verification codes when you sign in. You can choose to receive the codes by text message or automated phone call.
Click Continue.
Enter the verification code to verify your phone number and turn on two-factor authentication.

If you have an Apple ID that’s not protected by two-factor authentication, some Apple websites might ask you to update your account.

What to remember when you use two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication significantly improves the security of your Apple ID. After you turn it on, signing into your account will require both your password and access to your trusted devices or trusted phone number. To keep your account as secure as possible and help ensure you never lose access, there are a few simple guidelines you should follow:

Remember your Apple ID password.
Use a device passcode on all your devices.
Keep your trusted phone number(s) up to date.
Keep your trusted devices physically secure.

Manage your Account

You can manage your trusted phone numbers, trusted devices, and other account information from your Apple ID account page.

Manage your trusted phone numbers

To use two-factor authentication, you need at least one trusted phone number on file where you can receive verification codes. Consider verifying an additional trusted phone number other than your own phone number. If your iPhone is your only trusted device and it is missing or damaged, you will be unable to receive the verification codes required to access your account.

Update your trusted phone number on your Apple ID account page

Go to appleid.apple.com.
Sign in with your Apple ID.
Go to the Security section and click Edit.

If you want to add a phone number, click Add a Trusted Phone Number and enter the phone number. Choose to verify the number with a text message or automated phone call, and click Continue. To remove a trusted phone number, click next to the phone number you want to remove.

Update your trusted phone number through account recovery

Go to appleid.apple.com.
Sign in with your Apple ID.
Select “Didn’t get a verification code?”, then select More Options.
You’ll be redirected to iforgot.apple.com.
Complete your account recovery request. Learn more about account recovery.

View and manage your trusted devices

You can view and manage a list of your trusted devices on iOS, macOS, and in the Devices section of your Apple ID account page.

On iOS:

Go to Settings > [your name].
Select a device from the list.

On macOS Catalina or later:

Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.
Select Apple ID.
Select a device from the sidebar.

On macOS Mojave or earlier:

Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.
Select iCloud, then click Account Details.
Click the Devices tab.
Select a device from the list.

On the web:

Go to your Apple ID account page.
Sign in with your Apple ID.
Go to the Devices section.

The device list shows the devices that you’re currently signed in to with your Apple ID. Select a device to view device info like the model and serial number. Below that you can see other useful information, including whether or not the device is trusted and can be used to receive Apple ID verification codes.

You can also remove a trusted device by selecting Remove from Account from the device list. Removing a trusted device will ensure that it can no longer display verification codes and that access to iCloud, and other Apple services on the device are blocked until you sign in again with two-factor authentication. If you need to find or erase your device before you remove it from your trusted device list, you can use Find My iPhone.

Generate app-specific passwords

With two-factor authentication, you need an app-specific password to sign in to your account using third-party apps or services such as email, contacts, or calendar apps not provided by Apple. Follow these steps to generate an app-specific password:

Sign in to your Apple ID account page.
Click Generate Password below App-Specific Passwords.
Follow the steps on your screen.

After you generate your app-specific password, enter or paste it into the password field of the app as you would normally.

Can I turn off two-factor Authentication after I’ve turned it on?

You can no longer disable two-factor authentication if you already do. This additional layer of protection, which is intended to safeguard your information, is necessary for some features in the most recent versions of iOS and macOS. Within two weeks of enrollment, you may unenroll

if your account has recently undergone an update. Simply click the link in the enrollment confirmation email to go back to your prior security settings. Remember that doing this reduces the security of your account and prevents you from using features that call for stronger security.