How to turn off two factor authentication?

bdswanson wrote:

We are all unhappy about the 2FA

You're entitled to your own opinion but please don't presume to speak for "all" of us. I am not unhappy about 2FA. I appreciate that Apple takes its security responsibilities seriously. 2FA is something I interact with a couple of times a month, at most.

None of the forums users here work for Apple. I don’t work for Apple and never have. Any Apple employee who ever does post here will be very clearly marked as an employee of Apple.

As a volunteer user here, I genuinely don’t care what anyone spends their money on. And I have always believed people should buy what they like and what works for them. That’s the beauty of competition and consumer choice. You do have alternatives if you are not happy with an Apple product or service.

But as someone who doesn’t work for Apple, it’s just silly to post threats about abandoning the platform or taking your money elsewhere. What do I care if someone chooses some other device or platform, for whatever reason? I have no horse in that race.

Are you deliberately trying to annoy people? It certainly sounds like it. Why don’t you go back to studying biology, deep-sea marine invertebrates, genetics, and toxicology. Or maybe you work for Apple and that’s why you’re so **** negative to anyone else’s comments. And you say “WE don’t care” as if you speak for everyone else here. How rude!!

We’re not talking about whether or not Apple takes security seriously. We’re talking about NOT GIVING THEIR CUSTOMERS THE CHOICE OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO USE 2FA. You’re just as annoying as Michael Black and LACAllen.

NOT GIVING THEIR CUSTOMERS THE CHOICE OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO USE 2FA. You’re just as annoying as Michael Black and LACAllen.

AGAIN. We are not permitted to debate Apple Policy here.

Whining about choice is about policy.

Annoying and accurate are often seen together.

(notice I used your technique. ALL CAPS, BOLD, underline used together to make sure you see how angry I am)

I think it is a usability problem and the significant volume/intensity of people posting here supports that theory.

For example when I signed in here to make my comment it forced 2FA, it came up on the same device I was using to sign in which seems contrary to the core concept of using 2FA for enhanced security. eg. Someone steals your device and nefariously tries to post on this support forum easily thwarting 2FA because the confirmation code comes up on the same device being used to surreptitiously login to this forum...

I very much like the intelligence which allows for the code to be automagically pasted from iMessage when serendipity finds the code actually being delivered to the device being authenticated.., but again does that really protect anything if the compromised device is the one with the trusted number?

It seems useless to have 2FA if the prompt appears on the exact same device being authenticated.

A couple of days ago I was prompted for 2FA on my iPhone when logging into one of my five apple IDs, (unique apple IDs are required for every country you live in) to update an app, it sent the code to a trusted device but didn't tell me which trusted device so I had no idea where to look. As stated earlier many users have numerous trusted devices and randomly selecting from the list is simply bad usability.

So I said I didn't receive the code and tried to force which delivery method it used, given that I have a handful of phone numbers all ending in the same four digits which spells something that rhymes with, "PITS" it is extremely difficult to identify which of my trusted numbers I'm asking apple to send the code to and at any given time only one of my trusted numbers is likely to be in use.

Why doesn't Apple allow multiple email address use for trusted contact methods? Why does it all need to hinge on apple selecting how the code is delivered when they seem to do so incorrectly most of the time?

So my point is that all of the agitated apple, "affiliates" can be correct that 2FA isn't going away. The implementation of 2FA is clearly not up to the, "it just works" standard many faithful apple customers are used to. I for one would rather see apple resolve the lack of usability rather than telling my fellow clients to enjoy their experience elsewhere. I've made multiple, "suggestions" but that doesn't change how apple prioritizes usability enhancements like this. Perhaps the growing volume of clients and former clients posting here will help apple prioritize this short coming in their otherwise shining examples of elegant usability.

Apple 2FA should allow clear and easy identification of where the confirmation code will be sent with a wide variety of targets which are not the device in use.

It seems useless to have 2FA if the prompt appears on the exact same device being authenticated.

2FA protects the account you are wanting to access, not the device it arrives on. If a thief is on your home screen, they already bypassed your passcode and have access to most anything. If your device is locked, they can't make use of the code.

Precisely why so many clients are agitated by a seemingly useless security measure, it doesn't protect the client, it protects apple. Yet it is still forced on the client and as such should be so seamless it isn't noticeable at all. If it is of no value to the customer then why has apple made it a burden for the customer to bear? This is terrible usability and even worse customer care.

Apple 2FA should allow clear and easy identification of where the confirmation code will be sent with a wide variety of targets which are not the device in use.

Like this?

No. When the phone number is obfuscated it is difficult to determine which number you are asking for verification at. Try reading the posts before you use links that don't resolve the problem.

Your response is precisely why people are agitated by this useless support thread. Level 8 my ***.

seemingly

Exactly.

The perception is there is no security. Cite an example of 2FA when used correctly being compromised.

We'll wait.

Protect your device with a strong passcode and physical security and you could hand out cards with your Apple ID and password and nobody can compromise your account.

Level 8 my ***.

Earned every point my friend. By answering answerable questions. Not holding the hands of those who are unhappy with an Apple Policy. This question was answered correctly on page 1 the day it was asked. The rest of the 127 pages are filled with those who do not read, do not accept the reality and do not care about the truth.

Nobody here will dispute you have the right to be unhappy. Angry. Agitated. Willing to stop using Apple products.

Not here. Not here in this technical support community. Apple will not come to this discussion and give you what you want.

How often should we expect a 2fa request? Idris mentioned a couple times a month, I’ve had 4 this week. Is it random, scheduled, or is it responding to suspicious activity? Understanding the frequency may help me deal with it.

Wargaloot wrote:

How often should we expect a 2fa request? Idris mentioned a couple times a month, I’ve had 4 this week. Is it random, scheduled, or is it responding to suspicious activity? Understanding the frequency may help me deal with it.

For things like singed in accounts on a device (so you’re iCloud account, message account, FaceTime account, the App, music or book stores) once signed in on a device, you would only need a code if you’ve signed out and are trying to sign back in.

For things like these web forums, once you choose to trust the browser, as long as you don’t delete cookies, erase browser history or reset the device, you should only need a code if you’ve not signed in for a couple or few weeks (I.e. the cookie expires). Although I am not sure exactly what the cookie time out is. And a Safari (I.e. iOS) update will typically trigger one.

You will always need one, every time, when signing into https://appleid.apple.com/ or when signing into www.iCloud.com in a web browser (note a code is not needed to sign into the specific URL www.iCloud.com/find).

What were you doing that required those codes?

Another supportive “genius”. Who rang your bell? They CAN CHOOSE if they opt out within the 2 week period and return to their previous settings. But you “helpful geniuses” don’t tell people about that, do you?

They just keep supporting the 2 factor authentication

Facts matter.

We are supporting that we can't change 2fa here. And maybe that we appreciate and use 2fa.

We can't really "support" 2fa as we are not Apple.

making sarcastic remarks.

Debatable.

Dan_516 wrote:

We’re not talking about whether or not Apple takes security seriously. We’re talking about NOT GIVING THEIR CUSTOMERS THE CHOICE OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO USE 2FA.

I think you completely fail to understand why companies use things like 2FA. They have a legal responsibility to protect the data stored on their servers. They have the right to determine how not to get hacked and then sued. You don't have the right to dictate that to them (free country, capitalism, all that). But you do have the right not to use their products and services (once again, free country, capitalism).

You’re just as annoying as Michael Black and LACAllen.

Thank you for including me in such excellent company. It's an honor to be included in their ranks.

Wargaloot wrote:

How often should we expect a 2fa request? Idris mentioned a couple times a month, I’ve had 4 this week. Is it random, scheduled, or is it responding to suspicious activity? Understanding the frequency may help me deal with it.

Did you do as I suggested and contact Apple? As I explained, there's something wrong if you're being asked to enter a 2FA code every time you unlock your phone. Though, based on this statement of "4 times this week", you must have been exaggerating when you said every time you unlocked the phone.

Dan_516 wrote:

Glad you’re enjoying your company because you deserve each other. 🤢

Most of the regulars here have a very collegial relationship. We learn a lot from each other. Being part of a community that does this much good is very satisfying. I do enjoy it. Thanks!