How to turn off two factor authentication?

The bottom line is your AppleID is used to access data stored on Apple’s hardware, not just you’re own. As such, Apple is the legally liable entity for that data, and they get to determine the rules and requirements for access to it. They have every legal right to dictate to those who choose to use their online services how those people access Apple’s systems and their accounts they choose to make there.

So your one, and your only “choice” is whether you choose to create an AppleID and use Apple’s online services, or not. But if you choose to do so, then Apple sets the rules for how you access their hardware, and your accounts on their systems. Just like every other online service provider has the right to do so, since they are the legally liable stewards of what you choose to put on their systems.

If your bank decides tomorrow that they are going to require 2 factor logins they can do so, and you have no say in that. Same goes for Google accounts, MS or PS accounts, Amazon accounts, or any online account . Whomever owns and operates the online system you choose to use gets to set the rules and requirements to access that system.

Personal choice has nothing to do with any of this, since it’s not your system you’re accessing with your online login.

You don’t get to choose how Apple secures access to their online hardware that you have voluntarily placed your data into. They are legally responsible for the data housed on their servers, so they get to dictate the required security you must use to use their online services.

It has never been the consumers choice about what security an online service provider requires for access to their systems. Google will shortly be enforcing 2 factor logins for all Google accounts. Online service providers have requirements for password complexity, what and how many security questions (if used), and many require 2 factor logins. It’s their system you’re accessing, and they are liable for the security of the data you place their, so they have every right to dictate how it is accessed.

Your one, and your only choice in any of it, with any online service provider, is whether you choose to use that service provider’s services, or not. But you don’t get to dictate how you access their services if you choose to use them.

And while you claim to speak for everyone, you do not speak for me. I have been using 2FA with my AppleID for years and used 2 step verification for years prior to the roll out of 2FA and I have never had an issue with it. I also have used 2 factor logins with my Google accounts, my hosting service accounts, and every other online service I use that offers a form of 2 factor login (banks, retirement accounts, my online health chart, etc). They all work fine and have done so over the years even with changing devices, telephone numbers and so forth.

It never ceases to amaze me how people crawl out of the woodwork just to say “your doing it wrong” instead of simply being helpful.

Here is the the answer: you can’t shut it off. Almost nobody needs it. Apple needs it for their own business reasons. So they force it on us. That’s the answer to your question.

Since I find it as pointless and annoying as you (and everyone else on earth, weather they admit it or not) I have dug into the settings and found you can improve it a bit. My problem was it rang every phone on the account in every time zone. You can fine tune it but, unfortunately, you can’t turn it off. I recommend digging into the settings and explore how to best tailor it to your life.

The problem all online service providers face is that a great many people are notoriously lax about the security of their online service accounts. They use one password for everything, and often use inanely simple passwords. They share passwords with others, write them down where they are easily found or read.

Those same people often then complain the loudest when their online data and accounts are compromised. Those are the people that define the bottom line for how online service providers will make decisions about securing access to the accounts used with their services.

Apple has decided that they want access to their online services to require a 2 factor login. Since they are the service provider and legally liable custodian of user data that lives on their hardware, that is their right to decide.

And no service provider is ever to going to allow individual choices in the basic requirements for access to an account with their service. That is not only an administrative nightmare (remember there are many hundreds of millions of Apple service users, in hundreds of countries each with very different liability laws) but also a legal liability nightmare.

As with any online service provider, if you don’t like the service or the requirements to access and use them, then don’t do so. Pick some other product or service provider.

I can't turn 2 factor Authentication off https://appleid.apple.com/account/manage

suliman87 wrote:

how to turn off Two Factor Authentication

Start by reading the "Apple Recommended" post you'll find at the top of every single page in this thread.

I Richthetinman wrote:

after you delete that make new email and use that for new apple account then do nit ever click on 2facter

All new Apple IDs have 2FA enabled and it can’t be disabled.

Read the first few posts in this thread - you cannot disable it.

Pall wrote:

The answer is, you cannot after the initial grace period.

think it is 15 or 30 days.

As noted in the Apple Recommended answer, it's two weeks which is 14 days.

Imran:

Actually it does.

Simply scroll down towards the bottom into the section titled, “Can I turn off two-factor authentication after I’ve turned it on?”

Two factor authentication is a very important safety measure for your Apple ID. Therefore, you cannot turn it off if you have turned it on longer then 14 days ago

Apple does not allow it to be turned of for your safety & their liabilities.

The help that Apple provides is implementing 2 factor authentication to protect you and your data. After a number of celebrities had their Apple accounts hacked last year and embarrassing content was circulated on the Internet (like private nude photos of Jennifer Lawrence) Apple took the step of requiring 2 factor authentication for some iPhone and Mac capabilities to be enabled, and pushing all users to enable it. And if there was a way to turn it off then the bad guys would quickly discover this, and that would defeat the whole purpose of providing it.

I've had it on since it was released, and it does not interfere with my day to day use of any of my devices or functions. Occasionally I am asked to verify, such as if I go to change a password or a log in on a public site. Which is what I want it to do. And it's certainly much easier to use than remembering the answers to my security questions, which is the alternative if you don't use 2 factor authentication (and one of the frequently asked questions in Apple Support Communities).

You will also discover that Apple is not alone. If you have a paid Google One or Google Photos account Google requires 2 factor authentication. So does the US Government (irs.gov, medicare.gov, etc). Many banks now require it to log into their websites or use their apps. So does Verizon, owner of (AOL/Yahoo/Verizon/BTInternet) if you want an email account accessible on your iOS device (another frequently asked question in ASC). I've used several of these, and Apple's implementation is easier to use and more secure than all except Google's.

can Apple come up with a way to disable two factor authentication? It is not helpful when you have several devices and it creates a problem.

They have chosen not to. Are you sharing an Apple ID with other people? If so, that's the real cause of your problem. Apple IDs are designed to be used by only one person.

just got a new phone because my 4 yr old 6 finally started to die... well this two factor authorization is super irritating. do an update and get rid of it.

No update anyone here could do will change it. Apple is unlikely to.

Make sure you have more than one device set up as trusted. If you only have one Apple device, set up a phone number (office, trusted friend's cell phone) as a trusted number.