How to set up Apple's two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a secondary security measure that provides you with an access code for your Apple ID after you enter your username and password on a new device or into iCloud.com. Apple allows its customers to set up 2FA for their iCloud accounts, and get codes from a circle of trusted devices like their iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Bottom line: If you want something more than just your password to protect your Apple ID — which you use for iCloud, iTunes, and the App Store — then you want 2-factor authentication turned on.

Note: Apple originally implemented two-step verification, where you only need to enter in a code every so often; it's since switched to two-factor authentication, which requires a code every time you log in to an unrecognized device or website.

How to switch from Apple's two-step verification to two-factor authentication

If you're still using Apple's older two-step verification method, you need to turn it off before you can turn on two-factor authentication. You can do this on the web:

  1. Go to appleid.apple.com/
  2. Enter your Apple ID and password to login.
  3. Click on Edit to the far right of Security.

  4. Click on Turn off two-step verification.

How to enable Apple's two-factor authentication

It's easy to set up two-factor authentication right on your iPhone or iPad. Here's how to do it!

Note: If you have devices running iOS 9 or earlier, you'll be advised about their lack of compatibility during setup; you'll need to add a 6-digit verification code to the end of your password to authenticate on any of those devices going forward. (Or simply update those devices to the latest version of macOS and iOS, if possible.)

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap the Apple ID banner.

  3. Tap Password & Security.

    Open Settings, tap banner, tap Password & Security

  4. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication
  5. Tap Continue.

  6. Tap Continue.

    Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

  7. Enter your iPhone's passcode.

  8. Tap Done.

    Enter passcode tap Done

  9. Enter your trusted phone number where you want to receive verification codes when you sign in to iCloud.

  10. Tap either Text Message or Phone Call to determine whether you should be verified using a text or a phone call.
  11. Tap Next.
  12. Enter the verification code that you're sent.

How to use Apple's two-factor authentication verification codes

  1. Sign in to a website, app, or device with an iCloud account with two-factor authentication turned on.
  2. Tap Allow on the popup that appears on one of your trusted iCloud devices.
  3. Enter the code on your website, app, or device.

  4. Tap OK to dismiss the code.

    Tap Allow, tap OK

You can also get a verification code any time you want.

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap the Apple ID banner.

  3. Tap Password & Security.

    Open Settings, tap banner, tap Password & Security

  4. Tap Get Verification Code.

  5. Tap OK when you're done with the code.

    Tap Get Verification Code, tap OK

Questions?

If you've got any questions about setting up Apple's two-factor authentication process for your Apple ID, let us know in the comments.

Updated May 2018: Updated for Messages in iCloud.

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