How to turn off two factor authentication?

How to turn off two factor authentication?

Posted on Sep 18, 2018 12:33 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 10, 2023 5:50 AM

You can’t.


(Sorry for the “harsh-sounding” reality)


What makes you think that you need to do so?


So … since you’re going to have to “live with it”


Recommend that you carefully review and thoroughly digest the two fairly important and informative articles linked below.


Pay particularly close attention to thoughtfully selecting and setting up Trusted Numbers … these become critical when you need to regain access to your account (e.g. lost, damaged, or stolen device).


Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support


and


Get a verification code and sign in with two-factor authentication - Apple Support

2,627 replies

Oct 29, 2020 9:51 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Of course it's not going away. But it needs to be voluntary rather than compulsory. People resent being forced to jump through multiple hoops to make their devices function. Some may need that other layer of security. For others, it's a genuine burden. I administer a total of six Apple devices. Two of those are MacBooks for users who don't have a phone. One of those MacBooks travels frequently to Europe, where the the user needs a different phone, number, and system. Users need to be able to disable this function based on their specific needs. Apple needs to return to the Jobs ethic: "It Just Works."

Oct 29, 2020 2:03 PM in response to renesonn

renesonn wrote:

• Do you work with Apple in order to defend a service of which many people complain. Let's get a reality check.

I won't be able to access certain services because Two Factor Authentication if I don't have my second device (which shows me the verification cade) close to me. What happens when I have my computer with me but left my mobile phone at home? Also, one of the complaints I read is what happens if the second device which shows the Two Factor Authentication code is broken (yes indeed, devices brake). Some people had to struggle to get access to their services. Right or wrong?

A second device is not required if your computer is a Mac. If all my Apple devices were lost or broken, I could still access my 2FA codes as I have two trusted numbers: my office landline and my Google Voice number. What you're describing is not a failure of 2FA but a failure of the user to understand how it works and how to set it up.

It often takes more than ten seconds, and even ten seconds are annoying if you could do it within 0 seconds. For example Apple TV takes more time.....

But you only need to do it once on the Apple TV.

Oct 31, 2020 6:07 PM in response to LACAllen

Okay, I must have got it all out of my system because that made me smile. Hard to do these days :).

i actually had that question the other day. So, thank you. It’s complicated but I couldn’t use both my devices and wanted to change my password. I couldn’t get it through my head that I could just use one! Also, I was always the one worried I had 2FA set up wrong because I only needed it when I changed my password. Starting yesterday afternoon I’ve needed it for all Apple sites that use Face ID. It’s skipped Face ID and goes to password and 2FA. I’ve reset Face ID and reset phone. Same thing. Be careful what you ask for!!

Nov 8, 2020 2:14 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Whilst I do agree with most of this, I do feel for some less technical people the set up process is poorly explained and over complicated.

As I have said before for any security system to be functional it needs to be simple and invisible.

The various pages of 2FA explanations are at best under informative especially in regards to non Apple devices.

So for perhaps a full and complete and comprehensive explanation of Apples 2FA and all of its functions would solve all of the issues still being raised here and on other sites.

2FA works but only if it’s understood and correctly set up other wise it’s an intrusive nuisance.

Nov 9, 2020 8:22 AM in response to RTRTruthMedia

RTRTruthMedia wrote:

It's extremely relevant. Because of this 2 factor authentication nonsense experience shows him but it's a real pain in the a** to switch between account and have to go through all of that verification nonsense. That's why you said it's ruining his experience. It can't be any more relevant.

We don't know why the user objects to 2FA as they never responded. You appear to be projecting your feelings on the matter on to them. I never said it was ruining anything.

Nov 10, 2020 7:47 AM in response to Michael Black

I can not even set up backup phone numbers because my other numbers are for different countries and they won’t work in the country I’m currently in. Not only that, all of my numbers use the same last four digits so it is often very difficult to discern which number to send the codes to.


Google voice is best as it works everywhere and sends me an email. Maybe if Apple allowed us to use email rather than phone backups...


I think the bottom line is that the usability of TFA as implemented by Apple in this circumstance is sub optimal.

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How to turn off two factor authentication?

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