Two factor authentication, family sharing, Apple Watch setup

Question

Level 1

8 points

Two factor authentication, family sharing, Apple Watch setup

A couple of years ago i set up an Apple ID for my daughter to use on the iPad and we set up thru family sharing with my ID as the admin. Fast forward to today and we just got her an Apple Watch SE with cellular to use for a year or two before we consider a phone.

When setting up the watch when I go to type her Apple ID and password in we get an error staying that this Apple ID is unable to use 2 factor authentication. When I go onto her iPad to enable and go to username, password, there is no option to enable 2 factor authentication. This is with a gen 6 iPad and OS 14.2.2. When I log the iPad out and go to my ID the option for 2 factor authentication exists, and for me is turned on already.

i spent an hour on with Apple support and was forwarded to an advanced watch support person who ultimately said I needed a new Apple ID for my daughter which creates all sorts of challenges with history, apps, txting etc. While I could migrate her to a new ID with a fair bit of hassle, this seems absolutely non sensical.. Ultimately I need help figuring out how I enable 2 factor authentication for a child account on family sharing that was created a couple of years ago and regrettably the option that Apple tells you (passwords, enable ) doesn’t exist.

this entire process honestly makes me want to return this watch but at least I can fall back to a new Apple ID and reaching out to her contacts etc and changing to a new. I cannot be the only person experiencing this though and I don’t think the person I spoke to knows the family sharing accounts enough (he was a sr watch guy) to fully answer. Hoping his answer is wrong...

Thoughts or ideas?

Posted on Apr 24, 2021 5:47 AM

Reply

Answer 1

shoeluvr13

Level 6

18,529 points

Apr 24, 2021 4:02 PM in response to G0wave

We’re just other customers like you here. However, not every Apple ID is eligible to use two factor authentication and if Apple Support confirmed it’s not eligible there is nothing else anyone can do. I doubt Apple will give a specific reason why it’s not eligible either.

Per the end of https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915 “If your account isn't eligible for two-factor authentication, you can still use two-step verification to protect your information.”

Reply

Answer 2

G0wave Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 24, 2021 6:42 PM in response to shoeluvr13

Thanks for the reply. Ironically they didnt tell me the account was not eligible to use two factor authentication. After the hour I asked if I needed to set up a new apple ID and regrettably I think I gave him an out that he jumped on.

Never did get an answer whether or not her ID was eligible.

It is what it is. Candidly the experience setting up a family share number on an apple watch with Verizon is an absolute nightmare making this experience look good.

It may just be time to return the watch and give up on this effort.

Reply

Two factor authentication, family sharing, Apple Watch setup

Similar questions