HT202656: About two-step verification and SMS

Learn about About two-step verification and SMS
BMatt76

Q: Not getting two-step verification codes for app store purchase.

When downloading apps from the app store, Apple requires user id and "password followed by verification code shown on your other devices."

 

This is EXTREMELY vague and poorly worded:

- It does not say where to find this code. I assume it's supposed to show up in notifications, but doesn't.

- It doesn't say the link was "sent." It just says it's "on" these devices. Is it somewhere in settings?

- Once I find it, am I supposed to just glue it onto the end of my password in the same field? That's weird.

- There is no SMS option as there is when logging into iCloud, and no link for support.

 

For some reason, I never receive verification notices on any of my devices, but logging in to iCloud at least offers an SMS option which does work.

 

How can I get a verification code to use the app store?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on May 22, 2016 4:37 PM

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Q: Not getting two-step verification codes for app store purchase.

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  • by Dah•veed,

    Dah•veed Dah•veed May 22, 2016 4:51 PM in response to BMatt76
    Level 7 (34,748 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 22, 2016 4:51 PM in response to BMatt76

    About two-step verification and SMS - Apple Support

     

    Late 2012 Mac mini, OS X El Capitan 10.11.5;  Watch, 38 mm silver AL, Watch OS 2.2.1; iPad Air 2 & iPhone 6+, iOS 9.3.2;  Apple Airport Express

  • by BMatt76,

    BMatt76 BMatt76 May 22, 2016 4:58 PM in response to Dah•veed
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 22, 2016 4:58 PM in response to Dah•veed

    Also, evidently I can't report spammers on my own posts. Way to go, Apple. Lots of good user experience choices.

  • by Dah•veed,Solvedanswer

    Dah•veed Dah•veed May 23, 2016 12:31 AM in response to BMatt76
    Level 7 (34,748 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 23, 2016 12:31 AM in response to BMatt76

    How is it that an Apple Knowledge Base article on topic is spamming?

     

    I used 2-step verification with no issues. The verification number showed up on my iPhone as a text message. It showed at first along the top of the screen for about 30 seconds, which was usually enough time to read & type the 6 digits into the code field. If for some reason I missed it, it was available in the Messages app. But it gets really tedious doing that all the time so after about three weeks I canceled 2-step verification.

     

    With such a sour attitude good luck getting folks to jump in to help!

  • by BMatt76,

    BMatt76 BMatt76 May 22, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Dah•veed
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 22, 2016 5:32 PM in response to Dah•veed

    Oh, oops. Sorry about that. My mistake. Thanks for your help. I'm new to the community and the signature with your system info was the only text in the message. I looked at it several times confused, and I thought it was a copy and paste Spam advertisement for apple products. (You know how they sometimes just put a bunch of keywords and a fake link to a site. So I was afraid to click the link. I thought your account had been hacked because the content of the message seemed like just completely random keywords.)

     

    I'm on edge and frustrated by dealing with this issue for a couple hours. I guess that's why the don't let noobs flag things. Again, sorry for insulting you and thanks for your help. I'll check the link now.

  • by BMatt76,

    BMatt76 BMatt76 May 23, 2016 12:37 AM in response to BMatt76
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Mac App Store
    May 23, 2016 12:37 AM in response to BMatt76

    I also had to turn off two-step verification. It would be nice if it worked, but codes were often never sent even though all devices are trusted and current. SMS codes are not offered under all circumstances such as in the app store login.