How to add a trusted device to two-step verification

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How to add a trusted device to two-step verification

I have two-step verification setup on my Apple ID and it has two phone numbers set up for verifications.

I recently added an iPad to our devices and also restored two iPhones.

During the setup process, I was able to add these as trusted devices, so they now get verification numbers sent outside of the SMS system.

Is there someway to add my MacBook Pro as a trusted device too? Currently, I can only get verifications to it via Text Forwarding from my iPhone if I send the verification to one of the original phone numbers.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), iPhone 6Plus iOS9.3

Posted on Apr 27, 2016 10:35 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 28, 2016 5:31 AM in response to actionmarker

Do that at the Manage Apple ID website:

https://appleid.apple.com/account/manage

Instructions here:

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/10/23/add-remove-trusted-devices-apple-id-two- factor-authentication/

Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID - Apple Support

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Answer 2

actionmarker Author

Level 4

2,037 points

Apr 28, 2016 5:35 AM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Thanks Glenn,

When I log into my AppleID and edit the security section, I don't get anywhere to add trusted devices only remove them.

When reading the articles about two-step verification, they don't really discuss the Macs just iDevices.

Maybe I need to change to two-factor verification to get my Mac as a trusted device?

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Answer 3

Apr 28, 2016 5:54 AM in response to actionmarker

I don't have the 2 step verification, so I can't test it. Looks like they changed things a bit at the Apple ID site.

From what I gather, your device should show in the list if you sign into the same apple id with it. It says El Capitan which means computers.

Which devices appear in your device list

The devices that appear in your device list will depend on the iOS, OS X, or tvOS version the device is using and which services you're signed in to with your Apple ID.

iOS 9 or OS X El Capitan

Devices with iOS 9 or OS X El Capitan will appear in the device list if you're signed in to iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, the iTunes and App Store, or Game Center on the device. You can also see your paired Apple Watch.

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Answer 4

actionmarker Author

Level 4

2,037 points

Apr 28, 2016 6:07 AM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Yeah, I'm seeing the computer in the device list, but it is not being listed a trusted device in the security section.

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Answer 5

Apr 28, 2016 6:34 AM in response to actionmarker

I'm not sure what should be displayed for a computer. Trusted devices need to be capable of either receiving SMS messages or have a phone number or Find My Phone.

The computer can receive SMS, but only through the iPhone. So whether or not it can be listed as the trusted device is unclear to me. But if the code is sent SMS to the iPhone and the iPhone is set to forward SMS to the mac (specific devices must be enabled in the iPhone settings), then it will be received on the Mac in Messages also. Otherwise, the computer could not receive the code.

So for the computer, make sure it is enabled on the iPhone to receive SMS text and is listed in the iPhone device list as active.

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Answer 6

Apr 28, 2016 8:53 AM in response to actionmarker

After doing a little research on this, It seems Apple has made some recent changes going from 2 step verification to a 2 step authentication. Since I'm not using it, it's still a bit confusing to me. But maybe you can get something out of this.

It appears now with the 2 factor authentication, when you sign into a device and verify it with a code, it becomes a trusted device automatically. I found this article which provides some other links.

http://9to5mac.com/2016/03/22/how-to-enable-two-factor-authentication-on-ios-9-a nd-os-x-el-capitan/

The 3rd link at the bottom of that link tells you how to enable it on a computer:

Availability of two-factor authentication in iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

Maybe someone who is using this will post to give you a bit more clarity.

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Answer 7

actionmarker Author

Level 4

2,037 points

Apr 28, 2016 3:08 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

Thanks Glenn for your continued research.

I do currently have my phone set to text forwarding to my MacBook so I do get the SMS messages on my Mac when I need them (mostly).

I've had a couple of instances recently, where I was on other WiFi networks and was also without my phone, so of course the SMS could not be received at those times.

With 2-step verification, when you select the method of verification, if you select a trusted device, it's not delivered by SMS, it delivered as a notification on the screen and is also much faster then getting the SMS. I was hoping that I could get the same behaviour on the MacBook too.

It looks like to get that behaviour I need to change from the 2-step verification to the 2-factor authentication method.

Confusing indeed!!

Again thanks for your assistance.

A

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Answer 8

Apr 28, 2016 4:59 PM in response to actionmarker

Yep. It's a bit confusing. One day I will enroll in that also. I've been hesitant on making things more complicated than they are already.

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