switch from 2 step verification to 2 factor authentication

scatteredbrain wrote:

Is it as simple as turning the one off and turning the other on?

Yes, it is.

But notice the two-factor authentication, though simpler than two-step verification, is purportedly not quite as secure (almost, but not quite).

I've used both and don't see any difference in security but the newer 2 Factor Authentication does seem a bit buggy.

With the older 2 Step Verification you choose (from the device where you are wanting to gain access) each time where to send the code. 2FA however automatically sends a prompt asking whether to allow access to all trusted devices -- except that it sometimes doesn't send to all of them and I need to have it resend to get it to go to the trusted device that I have available.

Also, when I say that it sends to all devices, that literally means all, including the device that is prompting for the code -- and that is confusing at first. If you try to "allow" from the same device that is trying to gain access (and that would be a huge security issue if it worked as it would mean you don't need a second device) it does display a code on that device but entering the code won't actually give access.

All in all, it does work but it also seems to be a bit of a work in progress.

Would that be a correct assessment?

Two step has two verification factors for recovery - trusted device and recovery key

Two factor has two verification factors for recovery - trusted device and credit card number.

If it is incorrect, what is wrong with it?

Fact is that two factor authentication and two step verification are different things really. Please see Frequently asked questions about two-step verification for Apple ID - Apple Support and it's linked article Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support