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

My comment was not about the utility nor the ubiquity of the two factor authentication circus we must endure - It was, and is, about the fact that the method of entering the password / verification code combination is obscure and off-putting due to poor user interface design. The GUI does not guide users smoothly through the process.

If the interface and the series of steps needed to achieve the required authentication were better conceived by Apple engineers this entire thread would not exist.
As it stands the authentication and the security it promises become secondary to users' experiences of the POOR DESIGN that Apple has failed to fix. The age of these posts is testament to their failure to evolve what is obviously not working for many of their loyal, paying customers.

I understand two-factor authentication. I think it a fairly robust way to manage multiple devices. However, in this instance Apple fails to make clear the steps of execution users must undertake to enter the verification code. My comment does not lack merit. It speaks to the failure of Apple to address the design of their interface in this one, specific area.
Some fan bois & girls just cannot bear to read that Apple has something amiss. I get that they need to have everything Apple be praised, but far from being specious, my comment is on the mark.

so GB - why include quoted text about two factor authentication in your post if that is not what your post was about? Specious much?

Again - Apple is in charge of the interface. No matter the vintage of OS or the devices upon which those OS run - it is up to Apple's engineers to provide the interface. They have failed to make it easy or simple or even logical to do what their OS requires. It's the interface design that fails users in this instance.

If you have Two-Factor Authentication, you would have been required to provide at least one Trusted Phone Number that was capable of receiving an SMS message. So, your Trusted Phone Number could have been any cellular device including an Android:

Trusted phone numbers

A trusted phone number is a number that can be used to receive verification codes by text message or automated phone call. You must verify at least one trusted phone number to enroll in two-factor authentication.

You should also consider verifying other phone numbers you can access, such as a home phone, or a number used by a family member or close friend. You can use these numbers if you temporarily can't access your own devices.

Here is the Support article cited above: Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

Can you remember what you put in as your Trusted Phone Number?

Cheers,

GB

My cell phone worked when reinstalling El Capitan because I was given the

option of how I wanted to receive the code.

However, when I was reinstalling Lion, no such option was provided.

How do I proceed?

Why do I now have a two-step verification? Can I get rid of it?

On Feb 11, 2018 6:49 PM, "Apple Support Communities Updates" <

Yes. I used my android and that worked fine when I updated my MacBook Pro from El Capitan to High Sierra because it gave me an option to click on "Did not receive a Code," which then opened another box that allowed me to select "Send a Text SMS to ......"

However, I am now trying to downgrade my son's MacBook Pro from El Capitan to the original OS (Lion) because his DJ equipment works with Lion, Snow Leopard, and Leopard but the drivers are not recognized by El Capitan.

When downgrading to Lion, the two-step verification does not offer the option of clicking on "Didn't receive a Code," which then opens up another box that gives you the option of receiving a text message to your trusted device. It just says "a verification code has been sent." No other choices or information are given. Where was the verification code sent since it did not show up on my android cell?

I have no other Apple products.

Lynda

I appreciate this is an old thread but it obviously still a major issue that is awful! Every body who is answering this is ignorant to the fact you don't get the activation code until you've put your password in, so you saying you put it in after your password is just plain stupid. There is nowhere to put your password after you've requested a code to input it just greys out the whole iCloud login area.

So with that in mind can anyone actually answer this question?

Hi Gail, This did not work for me. When I click OK after typing my password, and the authentication code is sent to me, there is no box to write my password and code. Where is this prompt I am support to type in?

I understand that part and I personally haven't had issues in that respect. However, after being invited to my wife's calendar, it sends a code to my iPad and iPhone, when I allow the location, it actually pops up with the code on both devices... but neither devices show a field to enter ANYTHING... let alone a password!?!? In fact, in order to post this comment, I had to enter the code that popped up, there was a field to add the exact amount of numbers even... I'm not getting anything like that on my calendar invite email. What an unintuitive setup!!!! Why can't we get texts like google??? WAKE UP APPLE!!! Can we resurrect Steve Jobs to keep up quality control??? Gggrrrr!!!

Ok just to add a little more to the explanation. I struggled with this for months. I'd go in, type in my password and it would send me the authentication code and say to enter it with the password, but after that point, no new box would open up to do that. Literally, no box anywhere even possible to add it.

FIRST under System Preferences>iCloud, click SIGN OUT. You have to completely sign out in order to do this. This is the dumbest least intuitive situation. Your stuck in an endless loop and have to get out of it. Once your signed out, enter your password (just the password). It will send you a new code and prompt you to reenter the password WITH the code.

OK, let's take this step by step, because I am not asked for any verification code when I sign into Messages.

I open Messages on my Mac

Under Preferences>Accounts>I see this screen:

I sign in with my Apple ID, and this is what returns:

Do you have Messages enabled on an iPhone using the same iCloud account? Is it still functioning correctly?

Cheers,

GB

So, you are saying that you are opening the FaceTime app on your Mac, and attempting to sign in with your Apple/iCloud ID, and when you type in the passcode for that Apple/iCloud ID, you are getting an error? If so, what is it?

You can also take a look at this support article:

If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime - Apple Support

GB

If you get an error when trying to activate iMessage or FaceTime - Apple Support

Otherwise, we need more information. Where are you trying to sign in? What OS are you running? Not sure why you would be asked for a verification code when signing into Messages on a Mac or iOS device.

Cheers,

GB

It didn't on mine....I tested it before I posted back.

Here's what Two-Factor says about when a Verification Code is required:

Verification codes

A verification code is a temporary code sent to your trusted device or phone number when you sign in to a new device or browser with your Apple ID. You can also get a verification code from Settings on your trusted device.

I also have noticed that no matter how many times I sign into my Apple ID via Apple - My Apple IDon my Mac via Firefox,I always have to put in a verification code. I also always have to trust my browser. Not sure why, but I'm probably not checking a box somewhere or something.

GB

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

YES! This is the issue! What is the answer?