How to turn off two factor authentication?

What additional information do you think you’re giving Apple with 2FA? They already know your AppleID and by that your name, address, email, backup email, telephone numbers, backup telephone number, and billing information. Enabling 2FA adds no additional information to your Apple online accounts at all beyond what they already have.

Enabling 2FA does NOT provide Apple access to your contacts, gives them no information about your friends, nor what you are using your Apple compute devices for (other than when you knowingly and specifically login to Apple services, such as these forums).

In responding to:

"What additional information do you think you’re giving Apple with 2FA? "

I only have one device - my cell phone - as the point of contact. The suggestion was made:

"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. "

In this idea Apple is now requiring me to provide additional information about myself into a database that I have no idea what use will be made of that information. I don't want Apple to know about my family member's phone number or my landline or my office phone. If I decide to give up my cell phone then I will be left with no trusted points of contact and my computer will be locked at the next request for 2FA. Why should Apple require me to maintain a cell phone to use my computer? It's ridiculous and indeed evil as I am asking for no Apple services.

Beware when updating any device OS attached to an apple id. The update does not allow you to not turn the two-factor authentication OFF. This then transfers to all devices attached to the id, which is a major pain in the a..se. If you are quick, you get an email with a link that allows you to turn it back off, BUT you have to reset your password, very annoying. After all I chose to update the iOS software but was not given a choice to not update. Will begin process at looking at other platforms to migrate to. I guess when you get big enough, respecting your customers right to choose becomes unimportant.

Of course an iOS, iPadOS bit MacOS has anything to do with allowing you to reset 2FA. Two factor authentication is a security setting if your AppleID. It has NOTHING to do with any of your devices, nor whatever versions of iOS, iPadOS or MacOS your device runs, or if you’re even using an Apple device or not. Wherever you use your AppleID to sign into Apple services, be it from an Apple device, a Windows device or an Android device, if your AppleID uses 2FA then 2FA will apply.

It is a two factor login for your Apple online services ID. It is not associated with your devices themselves nor any operating system you use.

I agree with your statement, however I also understand from my own experience just how 2FA can cause stress if not correctly configured or more importantly fully understood.

Although there are many pages on Apple site in regards to 2FA, There is no information as to the simple fixes or what to do if things go wrong.

Stupid *** apple two factor authentication should be able to turn off anytime!!!! My account my settings. Same people that charge you $24.99 a yr for iTunes match when you already have iTunes subscription

This has caused nothing but PROBLEMS!!!!

I have to use my phone to have my home secure PC access it. there has been times where i need to find my phone, BUT WAIT - I have to use my phone for 2 factor authentication to use my HOME PC to find my phone... TAKE IT OFF!!!

RabbitRabbit69 wrote:

Same people that charge you $24.99 a yr for iTunes match when you already have iTunes subscription

I assume you mean an "Apple Music" subscription? If you have one, turn off your iTunes Match subscription. You don't need both.

Astarii wrote:

This has caused nothing but PROBLEMS!!!!

I have to use my phone to have my home secure PC access it. there has been times where i need to find my phone, BUT WAIT - I have to use my phone for 2 factor authentication to use my HOME PC to find my phone... TAKE IT OFF!!!

No, you don't.

debbfromgauteng wrote:

Agree fully, when your freedom of choice is dismissed in this manner, there's only one option... UPSCALE to a platform that respects your right to choose. First to be dumped is my iPhone!!!

No one here in this user-to-user forum cares what phone you choose. But, of course, you should chose what best meets your needs.

Dan_516 wrote:

You idiots are gonna push people to go Android. I’m SERIOUSLY considering it if you don’t give us back the option to turn it off. Maybe you guys are in cahoots with Facebook and Google??

I'm confused.

You're considering an Android phone and accuse Apple of being in cahoots with Google.

The same Google that owns Android which runs on almost all non Apple mobile devices. And Google/Android has 2FA which is also optional but pretty much required for online safety.

What OS will you use then?

Well if Android doesn’t give users the option to turn off two factor authentication, then I guess I’ll look for another option. And when I refer to Google and Facebook, I’m talking about their attempt use their algorithms to customize ads to each user. I’m just as concerned about on line safety as anyone else, but the decision to use 2FA or iCloud or any other Apple features should be UP TO ME, NOT APPLE. Capish?

[Edited by Moderator]

I keep reading these posts and overall I think many of the issues relate to people’s lack of understanding 2FA.

2FA when it’s correctly configured works well now but there are only a few pages about its functions and absolutely no information on how to rectify any problems.

Why can’t someone who fully understands 2FA produce a simple flow chart as I think this would resolve many of the issues raised here.

It would most definitely have helped in my case

I’m not storing anything on anyone else’s hardware. It’s also MY IPHONE AND MY IPAD. I PAID MY MONEY FOR IT AND I SHOULD BE THE ONE DECIDING HOW TO SECURE MY DATA. WHY ARE YOU ASSUMING THAT MY DATA IS STORED ON THEIR HARDWARE?

Why can’t Apple explain it in simple terms that everyone can understand, then leave the final decision up to the USER/OWNER of the iPhone/iPad and also allow the USER/OWNER of the device to change their mind if they choose to?