can't turn on 2 factor authentication

I followed the instructions to turn on two-factor authentication for my macbook pro running OS 10.11.6 (copied here). I clicked to do it, the wheel icon spun for a while, but when done two-factor was still Off, not On. What is wrong?

Instructions say:

I followed the instructions here to turn on two-factor authentication for my 2016 powerbook pro running OS 10.11.6 (copied here). I clicked to do it, the wheel icon spun for a while, but when done, two-factor was still Off, not On. What is wrong?

Instructions in https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915

If you're using macOS Mojave or earlier: 

  1. Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click iCloud, and select Account Details.
  2. Click Security.
  3. Click Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.


Powerbook

Posted on Dec 19, 2021 3:46 PM

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Posted on Dec 20, 2021 11:30 AM

For benefit of others having this problem, it turns out that I also have an iPhone, and I had to turn on two-factor authentication on THAT device first, which then enabled it on my powerBook. None of the stuff below was relevant or needed. Another useful bit of info is a phone number for Apple Account Security: 800-275-2273.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 20, 2021 11:30 AM in response to Carl Sunshine

For benefit of others having this problem, it turns out that I also have an iPhone, and I had to turn on two-factor authentication on THAT device first, which then enabled it on my powerBook. None of the stuff below was relevant or needed. Another useful bit of info is a phone number for Apple Account Security: 800-275-2273.

Dec 19, 2021 7:26 PM in response to Carl Sunshine

Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later. 


Isolating an issue by using another user account 


If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account.  Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer or by using the developer’s uninstall instructions. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once. 


Safe Mode - About.    


If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor.  Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown. If the log won’t post, try posting it in Pastebin and provide a link in a reply. After pasting the report in a PasteBin page, go to the top of the page, and copy the address in the URL bar. Paste that in a new reply.        Pastebin


https://etrecheck.com



Dec 19, 2021 7:05 PM in response to Eric Root

No anti-virus programs. No VPN, but I am using wifi local network router provided by AT&T internet service provider. As I stated, I tried to turn on 2-way authentication using the steps in the article, which did not work. Hence my request for help. If you think there is some other procedure I should use, please point me to it. If you mean by logging into appleid.apple.com using a browser, that is not possible for me due to a separate problem with my apple ID.

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can't turn on 2 factor authentication

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