How does two-factor authentication work if you only have an iPad and no phone?

Question

How does two-factor authentication work if you only have an iPad and no phone?

I'm simplifying my life and also ditching the Google universe for Apple's because of some data breaches. I'll be changing my Apple ID from my gmail.com address, but I don't want to lose any of the apps I've already purchased (from when I had an iPad Air 3, traded in).

I'm reading about two-factor authentication, which I presently have turned on and understand cannot turn off. But how does this work if I only have the iPad Pro? (I've ordered an M1 iPad Pro that's not here yet.)

I'm also closing my cellular phone account because my phone is old and I don't want to have to buy another one because I rarely leave home and, frankly, despise a phone. At first, I thought I could use the cellular capability on my new iPad Pro for my voice line, but apparently I misunderstood how that works and I can't.

If I have to, I'll probably just take out a 2.99/month Skype account and get a Skype phone number for those extremely rare occasions that someone has to call me first (like doctors' offices); that, or use my partner's phone for those kinds of contacts. But if I did get a Skype number, would that number work for two-factor authentication?

Please help me be less confused about all this.

Posted on Jun 12, 2021 10:34 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Michael Black

Level 10

80,671 points

Jun 12, 2021 10:50 AM in response to Community User

By default, 2FA codes are sent over the internet as encrypted iCloud notifications. Apple designed 2FA so it would only use SMS as a backup means and not as the default. Their own iCloud system allows for end to end encrypted notifications, which are more secure, so that is the default system for codes. So any Apple device connected to the internet (by any means) can get a code.

But with only one device you really should have a backup telephone number assigned with your AppleID as a backup means to get a code via SMS or automated voice message -> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

The trusted backup number could be your partners. I use a Google Voice number as my backup as I can read SMS texts sent to it in any web browser on any platform.

BTW Ooma makes an iPad app that you can use to get VoIP telephone service on an iPad, so that is another alternative instead of Skype.

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Answer 2

Jun 12, 2021 10:53 AM in response to Michael Black

Thanks, Michael. If Google Voice works, then I would expect maybe a Skype number would work as well. It's a bit frustrating waiting on my new iPad Pro (I ordered it May 8) because I can't test anything to any useful degree without it, but I expect I'm not the only one in this boat!

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