I mistakenly turned on two-factor authentication (in Catalina) thinking I could turn it off again to get rid of the annoying notification on System Preferences. If you tell me this can't be done, my wife's next computer will be a PC. Nor will I do anymore system upgrades. Sick of this type of crap being snuck in on upgrades.
It's not on the computer, it is on the Apple ID.
Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - https://support.apple.com/HT204915
"Can I turn off two-factor authentication after I’ve turned it on?
If you already use two-factor authentication, you can no longer turn it off. Certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security, which is designed to protect your information. If you recently updated your account, you can unenroll for [within] two weeks. Just open your enrollment confirmation email and click the link to return to your previous security settings. Keep in mind, this makes your account less secure and means that you can't use features that require higher security."
It's not on the computer, it is on the Apple ID.
Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - https://support.apple.com/HT204915
"Can I turn off two-factor authentication after I’ve turned it on?
If you already use two-factor authentication, you can no longer turn it off. Certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security, which is designed to protect your information. If you recently updated your account, you can unenroll for [within] two weeks. Just open your enrollment confirmation email and click the link to return to your previous security settings. Keep in mind, this makes your account less secure and means that you can't use features that require higher security."
I don't know really. I am a pretty bare-bones user of Apple's services and just use the free stuff, and almost nothing on mobile devices (I don't even have phone service on my iPhone). I seem to remember trying to activate something out of curiosity and encountered an error message. My guess is if I wanted to set up purchasing I might need to activate it. I know I have been having problems activating Messages and Facetime on my iPhone but I suspect that may be because I don't have phone service (don't see why they won't just let me use wi-fi for that stuff).
79AG wrote:
What features require higher security? Thanks for the reply above.
The one that caused me to turn it on was using my iPad as my HomeKit hub. That was long enough ago that I wouldn't have noticed if any newer features required it. Apple Pay requires it.
If you explain what problems you're having with 2FA, perhaps someone can help you resolve them. It doesn't have to be complicated or intrusive. If I have to interact with it more than a couple of times a month, that's unusual.
Apple Pay requires it. .
Only Apple Pay Cash requires it. Apple Pay with a credit card does not require 2FA.
What features require higher security? Thanks for the reply above.
OK, thanks. I'll roll it back and see what happens and post any 'results'.
If you roll it back, it requires you to change your password, which I don't want to do. So, I'll keep the two factor authentication and make sure my wife's new computer is a PC.
Thanks for the correction!
Catalina - Turning Off Two Factor Authentication
