I have a newer MacBook Pro that uses my fingerprint for many things. Can my fingerprint be used for 2FA?
I prefer this to it being connected with a phone number, since I travel a lot and have an internet based phone number which does not work for 2FA.
I do have an iPhone which also uses the fingerprint.
Any number that can receive a voice call or SMS can work for 2FA. Also, unless you are constantly logging in to Apple services from new devices / browsers you should not encounter 2FA at all. Link-> Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support
And as mentioned 2FA requires a 6 digit code.
You can log into certain places using the fingerprint, but if you have to do a 2 Factor Authentication login, it requires a verification code.
Thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I haven't found any web based phone numbers (like a Skype Number or Google Voice) that allow SMS codes generated for authentication purposes.
I read somewhere that 2fa is less based on the phone number than past system (the 2 step verification). I wish it didn't use the phone at all. For people that travel a lot, this is a problem.
It does't need a phone number at all, unless you lose access to all your trusted devices and cannot get the code any other way, there should be no real need for a code to be sent to a trusted number.
Also as mentioned unless you are constantly logging in to Apple services from untrusted browsers or devices or are adding new devices to your Apple ID you should not be seeing or need 2 Factor authentication at all.
The need for an actual phone number to call or message is an extreme case when no other method of getting the code is available and again only if you are signing in to Apple services from untrusted devices or browsers or are adding new devices to your Apple ID.
If it is required, the code, as mentioned, can be sent via voice call to any phone number than can be called. It does not need to be through SMS.
Thanks again for your response.
As I said in a previous post, I travel a lot. I'm asking these questions because I or others I know have been locked out of different accounts. Those who travel a lot need the security but have trouble providing it because so much security today is based on getting a text to the phone. It sounds like Apple has moved away from that. Please -
A scenario - If I am in x country and travel to y country, will the 2fa be able to send the code to my phone through wifi? Or to my computer via wifi? Will I have trouble logging into my Apple ID? I won't have access to a voice call or any SMS. If I'm able to log into my Apple ID and get any codes needed via wifi, that's great news.
My original post was asking if the fingerprint might offer the proof that I am me, the proof that is required for 2fa.
Thanks again.
2FA and fingerprints
