How to turn off two factor authentication?

I read that we have rights ask you to turn off 2-factory-authentification, for example personally for me, because I have 4 IPhone, ye I know old wery phone, but I need all info etc from that to new, but that 4 IPhone don’t have that function!!! So what should I do!!?

A number of posts in this area consist of harsh criticism of users who are asking the question without having read the ‘entire string’.

Before we get too far out on that scolding limb, it may be worth pointing something out. If you search on a google query for turning off 2FA, you come to a page that states the question, invites the reader to click that they have the problem too, and offers a text box to write out one’s own version of the question. Not only are there no visible answers, there is not much of a clue to understand that answers have been provided or how to access them.

You regular users know there’s a long string, and know how to call it all up. For the average web user, the tiny, thin font in pale colors at the bottom of a mostly white screen don’t exactly shout that navigation tools are at hand. I wrote a short essay above about technical writing and how poorly the tech industry does it. They are, alas, not all that much better about information design. If Apple was for some reason trying to hide the information without actually removing it, this page might be an effective way to accomplish that.

So maybe step back before contemptuously dismissing inquirers over their failure to have read the whole record. A stranger wandering into this lobby can be excused for believing it to be empty; that is how it has been designed to appear.

Johnjacobs2 wrote:

I just turned it on don’t think it done setting up yet I’m to old and computer stupid to use it please help

Go back to page one, and read the second post - the Apple recommended one. There is your answer.

Totally angry about not being able to turn this off. Apple now knows each time you use your computer. Trying to force everything to be posted to the cloud when you upgrade operating systems. Trying to stick their nose into your private business. It's evil!!!

bdswanson wrote:

Totally angry about not being able to turn this off. Apple now knows each time you use your computer. Trying to force everything to be posted to the cloud when you upgrade operating systems. Trying to stick their nose into your private business. It's evil!!!

Apple has a legal liability for any data stored on their servers. It's up to them to decide how to best minimize their risk. By doing so, they are not in any way invading your privacy. And, of course, you always have the choice not to use the features that require 2FA.

bdswanson wrote:

Totally angry about not being able to turn this off. Apple now knows each time you use your computer. Trying to force everything to be posted to the cloud when you upgrade operating systems. Trying to stick their nose into your private business. It's evil!!!

Apple knows every time you use your AppleID to access any if their online services. They always have, since you’re logging into their system. 2FA doesn’t change that one bit. Anyone offering online services keeps logs of what users login and when they do. Google knows every time you use google drive. Microsoft knows every time you use OneDrive. Simply adding 2 factor logins changes nothing about the fact you’re logging in to someone’s proprietary online system and that provider of that system will know you’re logged in.

If you don’t use any of Apple’s online services with your device, then no, Apple has no clue what your doing and I’m sure couldn’t care less anyway.

My point is I want absolutely nothing to do with Apple accessing or saving my data. I want nothing to do with accessing Apple online services. I don't use iCloud. I don't use Google drive. I don't use OneDrive. I simply want to do my business in private without my data going anywhere other than here on my hard drive. My experience over the past day is I've over and over again been asked for 2FA yet I'm not using any Apple online services. So I want 2FA to stop. I only signed up yesterday to get the blasted rectangle to go away from the corner of my screen. Big mistake. Now I want nothing to do with 2FA. It's an infringement on my privacy!

My point is I don't want Apple to store any of my data. I don't want any of Apple services. I just want to use my computer (which I paid for with good money) without the intrusion of Big Brother Apple looking over my shoulder. I don't carry my cell phone because I don't want to be tracked by the cell towers. So requiring my cell in order to login to my computer is totally unacceptable! I'm finding that if I turn off my computer and turn it on again 2FA is required. If I don't have my a cell phone then my computer is totally useless. I want nothing to do with Apple services and therefore this is totally unacceptable and indeed evil!!

Well wouldn't that be nice if that were true. Turn off and then on your computer and it's useless without 2FA. If you don't have your phone then you can't work for the day. The OS is now so complicated one has no idea what is needed to turn all this BS off. Then if one ever succeeded in turning it off a security update comes along or a new version OS is installed and the crap gets turned on again. It's never "opt in" and instead it's nearly always "opt out". And now if I turn all Apple contact off, never want it again, then I can't delete the 2FA. This really is baloney! If Steve were still running the company he'd never allow this!

bdswanson wrote:

Well wouldn't that be nice if that were true. Turn off and then on your computer and it's useless without 2FA.

Like Michael, I've never had that happen.

If you don't have your phone then you can't work for the day.

It sounds as if your phone is your only trusted device. That's a big mistake. You should make the Mac a trusted device if you're the only one who uses it. Then, the code will be sent to the Mac as well. You should also have another trusted number (friend or family member's number, landline, office phone, whatever). If every single Apple device I owned was destroyed, I'd still be able to get into my account because I have other trusted numbers enabled.

sorry, but I need to disagree.

I have no clue if a reboot has anything to do with it, but I need to enter a code more often than not when trying to sign into ASC which is usually after I boot up. It is usually a “trust this browser” thing even though I’ve used the same browser for years. Occasionally, it comes up with a “new device” thing even though I have had this iMac longer than I’ve had 2FA enabled. That also comes up occasionally on my iPad Pro (both the browser and device thing) even though I’ve had that for almost a year. Always use the same browser there as well. There is a thread in the lounge (actually that is my second one).

To me, 2FA is frustrating and quirky at best. I don’t use any iCloud services or email and I do not sync anything. iCloud is non-existent to me except for the fact that I have to be signed in due to Apple’s requirements.

And no, I am NOT trying to sign into any Apple online service - unless you consider ASC a “service”.

babowa wrote:

I have no clue if a reboot has anything to do with it, but I need to enter a code more often than not when trying to sign into ASC which is usually after I boot up.

That seems to be different than the problem the person Michael was responding to was describing (having to use 2FA every time they rebooted their computer or they couldn't use the computer).

And no, I am NOT trying to sign into any Apple online service - unless you consider ASC a “service”.

I'd say that Apple considers it a "service". And yes, it seems that the "trust this browser", for want of a better term, expires after a while.

Thank you for clarifying that ASC is considered a "service" - that would have never occurred to me. I am very careful not to delete cookies having to do with Apple, financial institutions, etc. (I use FF which makes it easy to delete them manually). At least I now understand why I need a code; the question remains why it comes up seemingly for no reason with the same browser and same device. But, there is no answer for that as I've tried to get one previously. So, the solution is to deal with the annoyance when I'm met with the "trust this" popup

And, I do know that 2FA has nothing to do with booting up.logging in, or the screen lock.

Thanks again for clearing up one mystery!

Who would want to give Apple more information about themselves? I have no idea how this information will be used in the future. I have no idea who will have access to this information. One can see across the world how oppressive governments (today examples are China, Russia, certainly Saudi Arabia) try to stifle dissent and even kill political adversaries. If it can happen in the east, it can happen in the west, people are people. Information held in databases never goes away. It's foolish to think that the horrors of "re-education camps" or worse can't happen here if the wrong people come to power. Companies all over the world are being forced to hand over to governments information about their clients. Providing anyone information about your web of friends and contacts could be dangerous.

bdswanson wrote:

Who would want to give Apple more information about themselves? I have no idea how this information will be used in the future.

You're not giving Apple additional information about yourself if you turn on 2FA.

If you're worried about privacy, you should think much more about the amount of data your carrier collects about you and sells.