How to turn off two factor authentication?

And users have that say in not choosing Apple. I’ve been using Apple 2FA since iOS 10 when it was introduced, and used 2 step verification for years before that. For a great many of us, Apple 2FA isn’t an issue at all with choosing Apple products and services. It does work just fine, even if it is not working as expected for every single user

For those who don’t like it, there are alternatives. This thread is hardly a meaningful sample of the millions of world wide users using Apple products and services with an AppleID using 2FA.

A system is not inherently flawed when only some people fail to use it effectively. 2 factor logins have been around for more than a decade, from google, Sony, Microsoft, Apple, numerous banks, etc, etc, etc. They work fine for the vast majority of users and offer greatly enhanced online security. Apple is not introducing anything new with 2FA.

A small sample of the users so fed up with how poorly it is implemented that they take the time out of their day to research ways of turning it off and then post their problems here to only be told they are wrong by fanboys... Maybe the very much larger sample is of users who won’t make that effort.

Keep up the supportive arguing that all of these users are wrong for expressing consternation.

post their problems here to only be told they are wrong by fanboys..

Here come the insults for having a contrary opinion. Nobody called you a name for your beliefs.

Way to lower the discussion.

The problem has no solution here. Nobody here can alter the reality of 2FA and its implementation.

Feedback for Apple goes here >>> http://www.apple.com/feedback/ is the mechanism.

The only time contributors are told they are "wrong" is when they are. Those who grouse about needing 2 devices are corrected. Pretty think skin if you can't take being given accurate information.

That you may not like this is moot. It is all that is available. Again, as I am sure you have not visited previous pages here. the original technical support question (the actual mandate of this community) was answered on page 1 and on the day it was asked. The last 119 pages are essentially off topic.

You have every right to be unhappy. Make that choice if you wish. Take it elsewhere please.

Maybe the very much larger sample is of users who won’t make that effort.

It's called acceptance.

marchildy wrote:

. I don’t believe many people are arguing that it isn’t Apple’s right to force 2FA on it’s clients.

Actually that is precisely what several posters, including who I replied to, are saying. They are in the camp if “it’s my data, so I should get to decide”, without even acknowledging that their data is not housed on their hardware nor under their stewardship.

And of course everyone has the right to not use a companies products or online services. They’ve always had that. But that really is their only option. They do not get to dictate nor decide how companies will secure the data housed on their online servers.

Well.., aside from being a pretty tough crowd, (tough to differentiate fanboys vs zealots, tougher to care if they are snowflakes) I’ve read this thread start to finish. Usability is based in the understanding that you can not design for all clients, however it is important to hear the spectrum of experience.

I only follow this thread to watch the experience of outliers. I’ve taken the time long ago to suggest alternatives, which will be implemented someday hopefully. Over the decades Apple typically listens, which is why it is more important to hear the voices rather than tell clients why they are wrong.

For the highly rated people telling everyone that they are wrong, +1 you win.., statistically and pejoratively.

marchildy wrote:

A small sample of the users so fed up with how poorly it is implemented that they take the time out of their day to research ways of turning it off and then post their problems here to only be told they are wrong by fanboys... Maybe the very much larger sample is of users who won’t make that effort.

Keep up the supportive arguing that all of these users are wrong for expressing consternation.

When it comes to people saying that they should get to dictate how a company secures data on their hardware, put there by voluntary use of their services, and for which they are liable for, yes, those saying it should be their choice ARE wrong. I won’t apologize for stating that. You don’t get to dictate how your bank handles security for their vault, and you don’t get to dictate how companies you choose to use get to secure the online data their hardware houses. You (voluntarily) choose to put data in some companies system, they get to say how you then access it.

Nor am I at all bothered one wit by people like you who throw the “fanboy” insult out whenever anyone disagrees with you and your world view. Someone calling another “fanboy” is just another “fanboy” themselves, but for a different cause or point of view. It’s simple hypocrisy, and the weak response of those who cannot handle having anyone disagree with them.

And when users understand how 2FA with Apple actually works, set up their trusted devices and trusted backup numbers correctly, it actually does work just fine for the vast majority of users willing to actually learn and understand what they are using.

What you do and say on FaceBook is their property and you shouldn’t disagree with that. Nor should you ever express disapproval with the way that they choose to utilize your data...

Identifying an inability to be open minded isn’t an insult, it’s an observation.

I have no skin in the game other than my desire for Apple to succeed with their customers, (not users).

marchildy wrote:

What you do and say on FaceBook is their property and you shouldn’t disagree with that. Nor should you ever express disapproval with the way that they choose to utilize your data...

?? I don’t have a Facebook account? I never have used Facebook, so no idea what you’re saying here.?

And open mindedness is a two way street. Those steadfastly refusing to adopt change and understand it, or doing so baselessly claiming that it’s flawed, are not open minded. Again, when someone claims someone else is not open minded simply because they disagree with them is hypocritical.

I don’t think it’s general dislike of 2FA, it would seem to be mostly people’s lack of understanding of how the system works .

The small amount of information available doesn’t accurately explain what happens and how to resolve many of the issues raised here and elsewhere.

I don’t understand why there is no flow chart or something to show people what to do if these problems arise.

Wolfie, in my opinion as a semi-literate user, the failure of schools to teach technical writing is on full display, all the time, in the tech sector’s attempts at user documentation. The things I’ve been observing for the last couple of decades:

1) Most software instructions explain how to do the thing if everything is working correctly, and that is it. No help at all if something does not work as expected.

2) The people writing documentation do not appear to perform usability testing with end users. Many steps which apparently are obvious to coders and their colleagues get left out of instructions and troubleshooting advice. Further, product is sent to publication with big holes or bugs that become apparent in use outside the techie echo chamber. And too many technical providers (and power users) dismiss the issues that trouble ‘ordinary’ end users as if the right to have products that work is limited to those with extensive technical expertise.

3) troubleshooting tends to be mostly or only the steps that are kindergarten-obvious, on the order of “make sure your device has power”. I used to see troubleshooting wizards that walked the user through a range of problem identifications and resolutions, but lately those don’t seem to be part of the landscape.

I suspect that there is some wisdom in the comments on this thread suggesting there might be less anger and frustration if users understood better how the system is supposed to work. But Apple in particular operates under the directive of intuitive computing. Unfortunately, their functions are not always (perhaps, cannot always be?) intuitive; even more unfortunately their corporate culture, along with the culture dominating the tech industry, fails to recognize either the value of or the necessary skills for effective explanation and instruction.

The response that "two-factor authentication, you can no longer turn it off" is completely unacceptable. Apple's whole ecosystem is too restrictive and regimented. Please allow users to determine what level of risk is acceptable. This should not be a dictatorship.

Unless I missed it, why can't Apple allow text messages to any device, including Android, as the primary method of authenticating? This limitation is just another example of Apple needing more flexibility.

Yes you did. After initial setup, they do.

Also, I don't store any data in the cloud. Cloud servers get hacked too.

Agreed. I don't, and will never use iCloud for anything. Not for data, anyway. Our one and only use for it is having FindMy on for our iPads and iPhones. That way we can lock them if they're ever lost or stolen.

I'm not sure why people keep mentioning how closed Apple's system is. So is Windows, Android, Google's ChromeBooks (which are just cheap laptops that are always running as a web browser and cannot run Windows or Apple software).

I would suspect you mean you can't install anything you want, particularly on an iOS device. That of course is intentional. Apple is doing the best they can to keep your private data private, and to keep malware off your devices. By only allowing you to purchase and install apps from the App Store (for iOS), you're getting software that has been vetted to be safe.

Not that the system is perfect. Rouge apps get through now and then. But that's also part of the system. When they're discovered, Apple can not only kick the vendor and their products out of the App Store, but can also tell every device that has the app on it to delete the app. That's part of the reason for being signed apps.

Macs are more open. Third party software can be installed without purchasing it through the App Store.

Do I see requests for validation? Yup, about once a month. The system appears to be set up to intentionally force you to reauthorize/verify your access. What I'm not sure of is why others in this topic seem to be seeing these requests so often, or why they can't access them on more than one device. If I have my iPad and iPhone off, my Mac will display the verification code, even though that's the same place it's asking for verification. The iPhone and iPad will also self verify as they are all trusted devices for my account. Sometimes I have to pick up another device, but not often. Yes, it's a bit goofy at times, but overall works well and doesn't bother you often. Or, at least it isn't supposed to.

Apple has restricted this to Phone number 2FA only, their system interfered with paid services and DDOS me from my own account. My phone number is not working and I attempted to go through the procedure of changing the number online, to get an unspecified error in doing so. Tried all three options, including the 'waiting period' with no luck. This forced me to call my bank and backcharge every single charge apple did on my card in the last 6 months. I've sent apple a bill for costs to cancel a contract with my phone company to give back their iPhone 11, and replace it with android. The bill will be enforced in small claims court with legal fees.. Suggestion to the engineering department, start looking for a new job and this is why you don't 2FA with a very insecure method.

I never said any particular bank requires it, so don’t put words in my mouth. Almost all banks do offer it, and many have publicly said in financial news reports that they are considering making it mandatory. I use Bank of America which has offered it for decades now but does not require it. And I never said they required it.

But if a bank or financial company were to decide they did require it for their users, they’d be entirely within their legal rights to force 2 factor logins for access to their online services. It’s their online financial service, so they get to set the requirements for how users access it.