How do you input the Apple ID verification code on a macbook? (Mine is OS X Lion 10.7.5)

After reading through countless questions like this ( because I had this one too ) I finally went to Apple Support Chat. This was my issue.. I couldn't find a specific answer on how to successfully enter a 6-digit code to gain access into my iCloud on my macbook pro. I was entering my password for iCloud on my Macbook Pro because that was where the issue was. After successfully entering my password on my Macbook Pro my iPhone (trusted device) prompted me with the Allow or not window, I hit allow. Then a 6-digit code popped up on my iPhone. I would try forever to figure out where on my Macbook Pro I should enter this 6-digit code.. BINGO.. you're NOT supposed to enter it ON YOUR MACBOOK PRO.. You take WHATEVER device prompts you the 6-digit code (your trusted device) and enter it on that device. I was entering my password on my Macbook Pro and I needed to be entering it in my iPhone instead! Wow, do I feel silly, but NOWHERE does it say this in all of the forums I've searched. I have a link here: Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

Best of luck everyone, Hope this helps!

-Mikey

This confused the heck out of me - perhaps because I was trying to rush to do it at work. I'll blame that.

1) You enter your password into your iPad or iphone

2) You are prompted on another device for a code

3) You have no idea where to put the code

4) The answer is re-type your password then append the code with no spaces after your regular password.

5) Voila!

I totally agree this is a huge shame on Apple to make such ridiculous user interface and waste tons of our time.

my case was my iPhone 5s running iOS8. when no field to input verification code happens, press the "retry" button, then input "your iCloud password"+"verification code", no space in between.

so sorry to read this AGAIN

I walked away from the cursed thing for a week and still struggled.
Here's what worked for me:

Look at the GUI for the left pointing arrow at the top of the pop-up

click that gray arrow to (hopefully) return to the area where it will accept your password

Type your appleID password and then the code that appeared on your other devices - do not space between the digits
cross your fingers - incant for the resurrection of Steve Jobs - who would not have tolerated this bunk

***wait to see if it worked this time***

begin working as you'd hoped

maphead wrote:

This is a fecal-filled (term chosen to avoid the sensitive eyes of the forum censors) procedure that is beneath the Apple core tenet of simplified interaction with computing devices.

Why - after YEARS of inquiries and posts about this basic issue does Apple not change the method? [rhetoric: yes, I know this a users' forum.]

Well, Apple is not able to change the method when you are talking about a Mac running OSX Lion. The requirement is a part of Two-Factor Authentication, and that is a new process that was not introduced until after El Capitan came out. So, Mac's running older, no longer supported software do not get the Verification box that a Mac running a higher, supported OS would get.

Even Apple's Two-Factor Authentication support article is clear that the minimum recommended system requirement for using Two-Factor is OS X El Capitan or later (although it is not a requirement as long as you have an iOS device running iOS 9 or later):

Who can turn on two-factor authentication?

Two-factor authentication is available to iCloud users with at least one device that's using iOS 9 or OS X El Capitan or later. Here are the minimum recommended system requirements for all devices that you use with your Apple ID:

• iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that uses a passcode, with iOS 9 and later
• Mac with OS X El Capitan and iTunes 12.3 and later

So, your argument is specious at best. You have to use a workaround if your Mac is not running at least El Capitan. Which means, that, at most, people not running El Capitan or higher, but who have set up Two-Factor Authentication nevertheless, have been having issues for a couple of years, at most. (El Cap was introduced on 9/30/2015).

GB

Update your OS. Apple, like any other software vendor, only supports software up to a certain point in time. Lion is not a supported OS. If you want to take advantage of the latest technology, you have to keep your software current.

GB

You need to type in both your password and your verification code. Password first followed by the verification code - no spaces between them.

GB

maphead wrote:

yes - exactly NO place to type the **** thing is shown anywhere. What a pain.... I rarely use this machine but have the HONOR of Apple screwing me over EVERY time I try to use it.

Is there a solution that WORKS?

I'm sorry, but what do you mean there is no place to type the code? Do you mean you don't see a password box anymore? Did you try pressing the back arrow to go back to the Sign in screen so you could then type your password+verification code into the box?

GB

And my response was not about Two-Factor Authentication, it was about the operating system that you are running on your Mac. If you do not have at least El Capitan, then you are going to have to use the workaround. New technology requires at least relatively current software. If you are not running that software, for whatever set of reasons, but you are using Two-Factor Authentication, then the process to join those two disparate pieces of logic may not be as user-friendly as you would wish.

GB

Do you mean you are putting in your Apple ID password immediately followed by the verification code? Are you putting the password in correctly = upper and lower case, special characters, etc.? Have you checked to see if you can sign into iCloud or iTunes with that Apple ID and password?

Cheers,

GB

This may be the solution to all of her headaches with two factor authentication!

http://osxdaily.com/2016/08/17/disable-two-factor-authentication-apple-id/

I just turned it off because I couldn't even login to Apple Support Communities without the two factor authentication and it wasn't working for me so I just completely turned it off.

I will report back here to see if this solves the issues I've previously posted with the Mac App Store , iTunes authorization, etc.

Death to two factor authentication!

😝

Pismo 900

Gail from Maine:

I belong to a special group of users who belong to the visually impaired community. As a blind person, two factor authentication is a huge obstacle to using the Mac and iOS devices in a user friendly way. In almost every instance I have come upon an obstacle requiring two factor authentication, it requires the assistance of a sighted user in order to gain access and even then, results may vary.

Usually a failed attempt. (And I don't always have the luxury of having a sighted person around when I am conducting my business).

For some reason, inputting the verification code is not as straightforward for a blind user as it is for a sighted one. One would think there would be no difference. Apparently, there is. (Something with VoiceOver choosing the wrong box to enter the number or something like that where only a sighted user can confirm that the correct number is being entered into the right box).I discussed this issue with a Senior Advisor from Apple's Accessibility department on a call to Apple Support trying to resolve the issue and turning two factor authentication was the solution provided.

I thought this would also be a great solution to pass along for anyone battling the same headaches.

Granted it is "not": as secure, but strong passwords and security questions can be sufficient enough to prevent unauthorized access to one's account. Not even PayPal or Bank of America use two factor authentication to protect the security of user's account and that information is more sensitive and dangerous to lose to a hacker than your Apple account!

All I know is it suits me and some who may not know that they can turn it off (if their account allows it) now know that it is an option available to them.

Again, I will post back here at a later time to report if my other issues have been solve as a result of deactivating two factor authentication.

Pismo 900

Sorry, not understanding. You need to sign out, which should not ask for a password. Then sign into iCloud again, and it will send the verification code and you should have the password box to type in your password and verification code together.

Cheers,

GB

Are you using Two-Step or Two-Factor? There is a difference in how they work.

Also, you are trying to downgrade the Mac, so what process are you doing at this point that is asking for the Verification Code for your Apple ID?

Cheers,

GB

in order to use Messages on iOS or Mack OS, you must sign in with your Apple ID and password therefore once you do that process it requires a verification code with the two -factor authentication.