No option to turn off security questions (Two Step Verification?) so I can then turn on Two Factor Authorization

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Level 1

14 points

No option to turn off security questions (Two Step Verification?) so I can then turn on Two Factor Authorization

Iphone 6 running 12.4.6. Trying to log into an app, but it says I must have Two Factor Authentication on. In settings, under my ID/ Password & Security there is no option to turn on Two Factor Authentication.

I read somewhere that I must first turn off Two Step Verification.

On my apple ID web page, when I edit "Security" I see options to change my security questions, but no option to turn off Two Step Verification.

Please do not link the cookie cutter page that tells me to do what I just tried.

I CANNOT BE THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM.

iPhone 6

Posted on May 6, 2020 9:45 PM

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Answer 1

May 7, 2020 3:37 AM in response to jimbo-m

See Two-step verification for Apple ID https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204152 This link tells you how to turn it off and to move forward to two-factor authentication assuming you are eligible.

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Answer 2

LACAllen

Level 8

43,584 points

May 7, 2020 9:24 AM in response to jimbo-m

I read somewhere that I must first turn off Two Step Verification.

That sounds like a high level suggestion and is actually inaccurate. If you did have 2SV enabled and wanted 2FA, you would switch from 2SV to 2FA and not turn 2SV off first.

Where do you live? Not all countries allow 2FA.

See >>> https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT205075

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Answer 3

LACAllen

Level 8

43,584 points

May 7, 2020 10:45 AM in response to jimbo-m

Therefore I just need to know how to turn on 2FA. However, following the instructions given, there is no option to do so on my iphone 6 (12.4) nor my Mini (13.x) and nothing there to make me think it shouldn't be available on these devices.

Not to complicate things, but 2FA is an Apple ID/account level feature and is not related to a device.

You don't access a device itself using 2FA, you authenticate to an Apple service while using a device. So 2FA is device agnostic.

The version of iOS/macOS is more of the requirement and you meet that.

Not helpful I know, but there may be other underlying and undocumented reasons you can't activate 2FA.

See >>> https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT205075

Have you called Support?

https://support.apple.com/contact

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Answer 4

Eric Root

Level 10

685,209 points

May 7, 2020 12:37 PM in response to jimbo-m

All Apple Store are closed right now.

More contact links if needed.

Apple ID - Official Apple Support.

Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security - Apple Support. (Link doesn’t always load)

Get Support Work through the screens to get a chat option.

Apple Support schedule phone call

https://twitter.com/AppleSupport

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Answer 5

jimbo-m Author

Level 1

14 points

May 7, 2020 7:57 AM in response to donv_the_ghost

Not Helpful.

As I clearly described, the steps outlined in the link you provided do not work, but I will repeat what I wrote, again.

...when I edit "Security" I see options to change my security questions, but no option to turn off Two Step Verification.

AND

...In settings, under my ID/ Password & Security there is no option to turn on Two Factor Authentication.

My OS is later than 8 (again, it is 12.4.6), so that is not the reason these features are not available

I have researched these forums and have seen that link posted over and over, hence I asked that you not simply post a link to that "cookie-cutter" page again. But you did.

How do I get real help for this?

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Answer 6

jimbo-m Author

Level 1

14 points

May 7, 2020 11:53 AM in response to LACAllen

Thank you for the clarification. I sorta understood these security layers to be more account oriented since I was directed to make changes in my Apple ID account (in a browser.) Obviously it is integrated into some levels of the iOSs and not others.

I agree at this point it's bet I call support. I checked into taking it to a genius bar, but they are closed around here (maybe everywhere?)

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Answer 7

May 7, 2020 8:24 AM in response to jimbo-m

Security questions and two-step verification are not the same thing. You seemed to equate them: "No option to turn off security questions (Two Step Verification?). " If you are using two-step verification, then security questions are irrelevant.

See Do I still need to remember any security questions? (from the link I posted)

With two-step verification, you don't need to create or remember any security questions. Your identity is verified exclusively using your password, verification codes sent to your trusted devices or SMS-capable phone number, and your Recovery Key.

Did you follow these instructions from the link I posted precisely if you really want to turn off two-step?

How do I turn off two-step verification?

Make sure that you're still signed in to iCloud on each of your devices. You might be asked for your Apple ID password.

Sign in to your Apple ID account page.
In the Security section, Click Edit.
Click Turn Off two-step verification. Click again to confirm.
Create new security questions and verify your date of birth.

You'll get an email confirming that two-step verification for your Apple ID is off.

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Answer 8

jimbo-m Author

Level 1

14 points

May 7, 2020 10:39 AM in response to LACAllen

Where I wrote "(Two Step Verification?)", that was a question, hence the question mark.

The first line of the steps bewilders me. "Make sure that you're still signed in to iCloud on each of your devices. "

When is a device ever not signed into icloud? Or does that mean all my devices need to be on simultanously and linked to the internet?

Sign in to your Apple ID account page. DID THIS
In the Security section, Click Edit. DID THIS
Click Turn Off two-step verification. Click again to confirm. NOWHERE IS THE OPTION TO TURN OFF 2SV

I am in the U.S. of A.

<<That sounds like a high level suggestion and is actually inaccurate. If you did have 2SV enabled and wanted 2FA, you would switch from 2SV to 2FA and not turn 2SV off first.>>

I'm not saying you are wrong as I have no faith in the Apple support documents since they have failed me so far. The Apple support link given to me and other support documents clearly instruct us to turn off 2SV then turn on 2FA. In fact what led me on the erroneous path to turn off 2SV is that the Apple instructions clearly state that you cannot turn on 2FA until you have turned off 2SV, so I jumped to the conclusion that I had 2SV on.

Regardless, my question was sort of answered that 2SV has nothing to do with the 2 Security questions I have to answer, so apparently I don't have 2SV. Therefore I just need to know how to turn on 2FA. However, following the instructions given, there is no option to do so on my iphone 6 (12.4) nor my Mini (13.x) and nothing there to make me think it shouldn't be available on these devices.

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No option to turn off security questions (Two Step Verification?) so I can then turn on Two Factor Authorization

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