Do you need to enable Two-Step Verification in order to get Two-Factor Authentication to work?

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Level 1

25 points

Do you need to enable Two-Step Verification in order to get Two-Factor Authentication to work?

I am trying to enable Two-Factor Authentication. I have the buttons to do so on all my devices. However, when I try to enable Two-Factor Authentication, I get the following message: "Two-Factor Authentication is not available for your Apple ID at this time". All devices are running iOS 9 and El Capitan.

While trying to troubleshoot, I noticed that when I go to Settings>iCloud>myappleid>Devices (System Preferences>iCloud>Account Details> Devices on Mac), all my devices have a tag that states, "This device cannot be used to receive Apple ID verification codes".

When I go to myappleid.com to manage my ID, there is an option to enable Two-Step Verification. Is this necessary to enable first to get devices to receive verification codes first, so that I can enable Two-Factor Authentication? This does not make sense. I did not come across any documentation that says it is necessary.

I not see anywhere to manage trusted devices on myappleid.com.

Any ideas?

Posted on Oct 20, 2015 12:01 PM

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Answer 1

fromsouth

Level 5

4,945 points

Oct 20, 2015 12:04 PM in response to Cremo Cremo

Not as far as I know.

https://developer.apple.com/support/two-factor-authentication/

Is this different than Apple’s current “two-step verification” feature?

Yes. Two-factor authentication is a new service built directly into iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan. It uses different methods to trust devices and deliver verification codes, and offers a more streamlined user experience. The current two-step verification feature will continue to work separately for users who are already enrolled.

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Answer 2

Cremo Cremo Author

Level 1

25 points

Oct 20, 2015 12:58 PM in response to fromsouth

Thank you for you reply. I had read that before. That is why I did not think it made sense either. Do you or anyone else know why all my devices have a tag that states, "This device cannot be used to receive Apple ID verification codes" and how I can fix it?

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Answer 3

fromsouth

Level 5

4,945 points

Oct 20, 2015 1:04 PM in response to Cremo Cremo

That is just my impression, but it is that Apple picks people eligible for two factor by itself and unless you will receive prompt that you are one of those PEOPLE, you will not get it working. May be that is why the only article that is available to us is on developers site.

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Answer 4

Oct 20, 2015 2:38 PM in response to Cremo Cremo

See the last paragraph of the following (copied from Availability of two-factor authentication in iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan - Apple Support )

I meet all of the criteria and it is not available to me yet either.

Two-factor authentication will be made available to users who meet the system requirements below on all the devices they use with their Apple ID.

iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 9

Mac with OS X El Capitan and iTunes 12.3

Apple Watch with watchOS 2

Windows PC with iCloud for Windows v.5 and iTunes 12.3

Other criteria will also be used to determine availability. So even if you meet all the system requirements, you might not be offered two-factor authentication right away. We'll increase availability over time, until we can offer the feature to everyone.

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Answer 5

Cremo Cremo Author

Level 1

25 points

Oct 20, 2015 2:56 PM in response to fromsouth

I'm starting to think you are right about the prompt/notification by Apple regarding eligibility. What confuses me is that they say the following in their support article:

"If two-factor authentication is available for your Apple ID, the button will be present and you can continue with enrollment. If you don't see a button, two-factor authentication isn't available yet for your Apple ID." https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205075

However, in the Developer Article, they say the following:

"If you are not setting up a new device, you can check your eligibility at Settings > iCloud > Account > Security on your iOS 9 device, or System Preferences > iCloud > Account Details > Security on your Mac.

If you cannot enroll via any of these methods, your Apple ID is not currently eligible for two-factor authentication."

Slightly different wording, but, attempts to enroll are not working. So, I guess I'm not eligible.

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Answer 6

fromsouth

Level 5

4,945 points

Oct 20, 2015 4:12 PM in response to Cremo Cremo

I do not mean to pick on that but the support article you guys are referring to was last updated one day before official El Captain release. My speculation (not allowed - I know) that support article is also going to be updated at some point with live info. Perhaps that update will clarify situation. Knowing the way Apple rolls dreams out (speculation again) - first wave of participants likely are going to be "buyers" of new gen computers/iphones. Time will tell if I am wrong.

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Answer 7

Cremo Cremo Author

Level 1

25 points

Oct 20, 2015 6:01 PM in response to FoxFifth

Do you have the Two-Factor Authentication button available on your iPhone or mac?

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Answer 8

Oct 20, 2015 6:21 PM in response to Cremo Cremo

No. That is what I meant when I wrote "I meet all of the criteria and it is not available to me yet either."

I have had the older 2-step verification on for a long time but the newer 2-factor authentication is not yet available to me.

I also found the quote below which indicates a gradual roll out (from Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID - Apple Support )

Two-step verification is different from two-factor authentication—the improved security method built directly into iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan that's rolling out gradually this fall.

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Answer 9

fromsouth

Level 5

4,945 points

Oct 21, 2015 7:17 AM in response to FoxFifth

You Fox personally are in different boat then Cremo, check out his other thread.

Still unable to turn on two-factor authentication even when the Set-up button is present

They do have that "eligibility button" - appears that is not enough. Either icloud support is not prepared or roll out didn't get to them yet.

Articles do not help much, cause people who write them are busy with something else (backups).

http://www.computerworld.com/article/2986177/apple-ios/apple-says-app-slicing-is nt-yet-available-for-ios-9-apps.html

attempt to roll out that feature cause situation with backups that was not accounted for.

Once again all is my humble speculation.

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