HT204152: Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID

Learn about Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID
Folbo

Q: no Mobile Phone - how to use two factor authentication?

That says it all. I do not have a mobile phone. I cannot use them at work. The Apple FAQ says 'You're required to provide at least one SMS capable phone number.'.

 

Any suggestions?

 

 

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Sep 4, 2014 11:09 PM

Close

Q: no Mobile Phone - how to use two factor authentication?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 4, 2014 11:20 PM in response to Folbo
    Level 10 (271,057 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 4, 2014 11:20 PM in response to Folbo

    Then don't use it.

  • by Folbo,

    Folbo Folbo Sep 4, 2014 11:54 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 4, 2014 11:54 PM in response to Kappy

    That does not help!

     

    I have not been using it for the last year or so, since its introduction.

     

    In the light of the recent 'security issues' for celebs ... and where Tim Cook implies (IMHO) that Apple are looking to educate and pressure us into using 2FA, I thought I would investigate it now, and in investigating discovered that those without mobile phones are excluded, at least as far as I can see. Hence the OP ... am I excluded? or is there an alternative that Apple have not added to the FAQs?

     

     

    <Link Edited By Host>

  • by fromsouth,Helpful

    fromsouth fromsouth Sep 5, 2014 6:04 AM in response to Folbo
    Level 5 (4,806 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 5, 2014 6:04 AM in response to Folbo

    advice about two step verification is more of ultimate protection for privacy. If you lose any of the verification methods (with two step)- something gets lost - your account is lost to you.

    For celebrity that account loss is nothing to worry about, they can buy anything again. For you it can be a bit extreme, unless you are celebrity. Unfortunate situation that if you would have to guess my information about city where my parents met and same info of celebrity - results would differ. Kind of ironic for reasonable smart person to put down security question and answer that is known to half of the world, but then again you don't become a movie star, by winning competitions based on logic. Here though you speak to logical people and if you feel advice is not helpful, you continue your own search or rethink advice, depending on your situation.

  • by Folbo,

    Folbo Folbo Sep 5, 2014 8:14 AM in response to fromsouth
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Apple TV
    Sep 5, 2014 8:14 AM in response to fromsouth

    That helps in as much that I can now see a little more about why the two stage process ... though I am still a little concerned that Apple might make it a requirement ...

     

    Oh well ... if there is no way around it then I will just have hope that they do not make it a requirement (or start giving out free iPhones!)

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Sep 5, 2014 12:27 PM in response to Folbo
    Level 10 (271,057 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2014 12:27 PM in response to Folbo

    You are excluded unless you get a cell phone. That's pretty straight forward, don't you think?