App-specific password for iMessage and FaceTime required?

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Level 6

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App-specific password for iMessage and FaceTime required?

Using 2 step verification with AppleID/iCloud

This morning somehow I was asked to generate an app-specific password for both iMessage and FaceTime on a Mac Mini that I use occasionally. Fair enough. Completed the process. After a while I noticed that FT and iMessage were logged out of my iPad, and it asked to generate an app-specific password. Does FT and iMessage now require an app specific password? So the Apple ID/password are no longer enough? I can understand the need for this with third party apps, but with Apple apps? Can someone please confirm if as of today iMessage and FT need an app specific password in order to work with 2 step verification?

Or am I missing something here?

iPhone 6, iOS 8.1

Posted on Feb 23, 2015 2:02 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 23, 2015 2:16 PM in response to FelipeV

Yes. According to the following it started on February 12 and was "rolling out" after that: http://www.macrumors.com/2015/02/12/apple-two-step-verification-imessage-facetim e/

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Answer 2

FelipeV Author

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Feb 23, 2015 3:22 PM in response to FoxFifth

Thanks FoxFifth. I had heard something about that was was not sure if it was a rumor. I guess it isn't. I thought that app specific passwords were for third party apps only. Guess not.

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Answer 3

Feb 23, 2015 4:14 PM in response to FelipeV

I was a bit surprised when I first saw that as well. I'm thinking it may be an interim thing and that a future release of iMessage and FaceTime will use the verification code instead of the app specific password.

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Answer 4

Demo

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Feb 23, 2015 4:28 PM in response to FelipeV

I'm still not very clear on this, but if you already use two step verification, you have to use an app specific password. I don't use two step verification and haven't had to create a password for FaceTime and/or iMessages, to this point anyway.

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Answer 5

FelipeV Author

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Feb 23, 2015 4:41 PM in response to Demo

So far the app specific passwords were only required for 3rd party apps, not for "Apple apps". Not sure why you cannot use trusted device verification for iMessage and FT like on the App store or iTunes. or on Apple TV.

Having to generate a different app specific password for every device that uses iMessage or FT is a pain, but I guess the powers that be at Apple feel it is more secure.

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Answer 6

FelipeV Author

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Feb 23, 2015 4:42 PM in response to FoxFifth

Hope you are right...

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Answer 7

Apr 4, 2015 5:14 PM in response to FelipeV

just a thing to keep in mind, app-specific password really just means "apps that can't use 2-step verification" and as such, you can use the same "app specific password" for multiple applications.

i have 1 app specific password that i use on multiple apps across all my devices. (yes, it's "less secure" but i'm lazy...

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Answer 8

FelipeV Author

Level 6

12,059 points

Apr 4, 2015 7:19 PM in response to tony.carreon

Actually I use one password for the same app across platforms. But I have a different one for another app across the same platforms.

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Answer 9

Aug 20, 2015 10:56 AM in response to FelipeV

Any reason why I get prompted to do this again about once a month later on the same computer? No configuration changes and

no clear indication that it's for FaceTime or iMessage - I just get a "Please enter your iCloud password" dialog box and after entering

my main password twice it brings up another dialog box saying I need to generate an app-specific password. This is now the 3rd

time I've had to do it on the same machine.

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Answer 10

Aug 20, 2015 11:58 AM in response to PeterORiordan

Peter O'Riordan wrote:

Any reason why I get prompted to do this again about once a month later on the same computer? No configuration changes and

no clear indication that it's for FaceTime or iMessage - I just get a "Please enter your iCloud password" dialog box and after entering

my main password twice it brings up another dialog box saying I need to generate an app-specific password. This is now the 3rd

time I've had to do it on the same machine.

I'm getting it again -- just since the OS X 10.10.5 update and I don't have FaceTime or iMessage on. Every time I reboot I now have 2 Cancel buttons to press -- fortunately my MacBook Air mostly sleeps when not in use and I don't reboot very often.

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Answer 11

Demo

Level 10

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Aug 20, 2015 12:57 PM in response to FoxFifth

FoxFifth wrote:

I'm getting it again -- just since the OS X 10.10.5 update and I don't have FaceTime or iMessage on. Every time I reboot I now have 2 Cancel buttons to press -- fortunately my MacBook Air mostly sleeps when not in use and I don't reboot very often.

Good to know, now I will not update to 10.10.5 or reboot unless absolutely necessary. My MBP sleeps when I'm not using it as well. I rarely shut down or restart.

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