Why does 2 Factor not give the option to unlock my phone using Touch ID?

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Level 1

12 points

Why does 2 Factor not give the option to unlock my phone using Touch ID?

Touch ID works great with zero hassle whenever I pick my phone up and want to get to the home screen or what I had open.

Who wants to have to type their passcode in constantly a million times a day?

So why oh why does turning Two Factor Authentication on override Touch ID settings and enforce passcode entry on the lock screen? 🤷🏻‍♀️ 🤦🏻‍♀️

I have never been able to find a way to use Touch ID instead of passcode under these circumstances?

iPhone 8, iOS 13

Posted on Jan 25, 2020 10:10 AM

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Answer 1

Demo

Level 10

166,747 points

Jan 25, 2020 10:20 AM in response to Lainey666

I have an iPad Air 3. I am also using 2 factor authentication. I unlock my iPad all the time using Touch ID. The only time that I have to enter the passcode is if I restart the device. That is normal and expected behavior, though.

Do you have the phone setup for using Touch ID to unlock it in the Touch ID and Passcode Settings?

BTW, I use Face ID on my iPhone and don’t have to enter the passcode there either unless I restart it.

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Answer 2

Jan 25, 2020 11:19 AM in response to Lainey666

2 Factor Authentication and passcode requirements on a phone are completely unrelated. 2FA is to protect your Apple ID, not your phone. So your supposition is false; turning on 2FA does NOT override Touch ID settings. If Touch ID isn’t working that’s a completely unrelated problem.

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Answer 3

KiltedTim

Level 10

228,162 points

Jan 25, 2020 11:18 AM in response to Lainey666

2 factor authentication has nothing to do with whether or not you can use Touch ID. Check the settings for Touch ID to make sure it's set to use it for unlocking the phone.

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Answer 4

Lainey666 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 25, 2020 11:55 AM in response to KiltedTim

You can switch it off via the email you receive when you switch it on. As long as you do it before a certain date.

That’s how I switch it off.

I switch/turn it on in settings, my ID, password and security, ‘two factor authentication’ using the slider.

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Answer 5

KiltedTim

Level 10

228,162 points

Jan 25, 2020 11:38 AM in response to Lainey666

You can not switch 2FA on and off. Once it's enabled on your account, it's on.

I have the sneaking suspicion you are not referring to 2FA.

Please clarify exactly what you're doing to switch it 'on and off'.

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Answer 6

Lainey666 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 25, 2020 11:16 AM in response to Demo

Yup. I had Touch ID setup and was using it fine to unlock my phone etc. As soon as I put two factor on it suddenly wants my passcode every time instead. Which is what I meant by it overrides it.

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Answer 7

Lainey666 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 25, 2020 11:34 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Touch ID is set to unlock and works fine. Switch 2FA on and it’s replaced by passcode.

Switch 2FA off and Touch ID is back, no more passcode.

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Answer 8

Jan 25, 2020 12:12 PM in response to Lainey666

Your phone is really weird. I have 2FA on all the time and have for 5 years. My family has 4 iOS devices. Touch ID/FaceID work all the time on all 4 devices.

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Answer 9

Lainey666 Author

Level 1

12 points

Jan 25, 2020 2:09 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Ssh! It prefers to be called ‘special’. ;)

I think I’m just going to have to have a bit of a play around with it and report back.

I did accidentally come across how to stop it using Touch ID on the lock screen. But it only works for that, not passcode as it’s home button related.

In case anyone is wondering how to do this, it’s in accessibility, home button, and there’s a ‘rest finger to open’ slider. With small text explaining you won’t have to use Touch ID to open.

I did find one article with the exact issue mentioned but it’s from 2016 when changes were first made to iOS and doesn’t help in this instance.

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Why does 2 Factor not give the option to unlock my phone using Touch ID?

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