scatteredbrain

Q: switch from 2 step verification to 2 factor authentication

Does anyone know how to convert an Apple ID account from using the 2-step verification system to the newer 2FA system?

 

Is it as simple as turning the one off and turning the other on? I don't want to just try that for fear of breaking something.

 

Apologies if this is answered I searched but could not find anything.

 

Thanks!

Posted on May 5, 2016 12:42 PM

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Q: switch from 2 step verification to 2 factor authentication

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  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman May 5, 2016 12:47 PM in response to scatteredbrain
    Level 8 (40,195 points)
    May 5, 2016 12:47 PM in response to scatteredbrain

    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).

  • by scatteredbrain,

    scatteredbrain scatteredbrain May 7, 2016 6:12 AM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    May 7, 2016 6:12 AM in response to sberman

    Thanks!

     

    Care to elaborate why? Just curious...and I'd like to choose the better method of course.

  • by FoxFifth,

    FoxFifth FoxFifth May 7, 2016 9:27 AM in response to scatteredbrain
    Level 7 (26,804 points)
    iPhone
    May 7, 2016 9:27 AM in response to scatteredbrain

    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.

  • by fromsouth,

    fromsouth fromsouth May 7, 2016 9:34 AM in response to FoxFifth
    Level 5 (4,816 points)
    iCloud
    May 7, 2016 9:34 AM in response to FoxFifth

    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?

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black May 7, 2016 9:47 AM in response to scatteredbrain
    Level 7 (24,763 points)
    May 7, 2016 9:47 AM in response to scatteredbrain

    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