How to turn off or avoid TFA/2FA?

Some voices says that TFA was forcibly activated for some accounts created on iOS 10 or 11. My Apple ID was created when the iPhone 4 was new and now being on an iPhone 7 and after I updated from iOS 10 to iOS 12, the TFA was also forcibly activated for my account and this constant double requester of the TFA is the most annying thing ever in the world.


I log in to any Apple site - TFA. I change some settings on my iPhone - TFA. It so much *****! Every time it would also ask "Trust this browser?". How can this be permanent? I use the same browser all the time and it would almost every time ask the same question.

Apart from that, even if it's offtopic here, iTunes suddenly says "Update your computer to the latest OS version in order to access your account". Huh? Windows 7 is not anymore eligible to be used for iTunes?


Fearing I cannot deactivate TFA, is there at least a way to stop this permanent and annoying "Enter this number" pop-ups in all my Apple devices at once???

Posted on Dec 2, 2018 5:48 AM

Reply

Similar questions

6 replies

Dec 2, 2018 5:54 AM in response to infiniter

You cannot turn it off, unless within 2 weeks of setting it up.

Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support

If you already use two-factor authentication, you can no longer turn it off. Certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security, which is designed to protect your information. If you recently updated your account, however, you can unenroll for a period of two weeks. Just open your enrollment confirmation email and click the link to return to your previous security settings.

Dec 2, 2018 5:58 AM in response to infiniter

Once 2FA is enabled in an iOS device it cannot be cancelled , but if you activate 2FA in mac and before 14 days it can be again cancelled .

See this step .


If you are using Apple ID created with secondary authentication and in your Mac you enter in the location system preferences , click on iCloud it will prompt to enter Apple ID and password , under security section you turn on 2FA .


An immediate mail will be received in your IMAP account , and you disable the 2FA within the time period of 14 days or immediately .


Again in system preferences - iCloud under keychain an error will be shown waiting for approval from other device having an exclamation mark .


And if you want to remove this error and again set up the iCloud Keychain and then plan to use your old secondary authentication Apple ID , see these steps .


( a ) Use an iOS device and sign in with same Apple ID and password that is used in your Mac .

( b ) In your iOS device go to settings - iCloud - open keychain - click on advanced two options will be shown .


Reset code and reset iCloud Keychain , so click on reset iCloud Keychain .


( c ) A verification code will appear on your mobile number through sms and it will prompt to generate a code , you have to think any desired number and fill up in the field , so keychain will set up in iOS device .Write down this code in a safe place .


( d ) Now come to your Mac and open system preferences , click on iCloud the box of keychain is unchecked , so tap the keychain box , it will show waiting for approval click on option button it will prompt to register with passcode enter the passcode that you generated in your iOS device and click on confirm .


( e ) Again in your iOS device a pop up will appear showing approve or deny for your name and your Mac name say Mac book air or what ever Mac you are using and stating allow to approve for keychain , so click on allow .


( f ) So the waiting for approval from other device will be vanished .


( g ) In your Mac again click on option button in front of keychain , it will prompt to enter your trusted number an sms will come to your mobile having a verification code in it , so enter it your trusted mobile will be saved and visible .


Now , your iCloud keychain is set up from the server end and the Apple ID you are using is set with secondary authentication ( in which questions and answers for Apple ID are created ) and your 2FA is turned off .


Note : Suppose you have not followed this method for removing an error waiting for approval from other device and you think that erasing the hard drive and reinstalling the os or performing an archive installation , it will not help as this is the issue of iCloud Keychain from server end and not from your hardware of Mac .

Dec 2, 2018 6:03 AM in response to macjack

Thanks, but as I wrote in my post I'm aware that I can't turn it off (Apple can, so I would have to contact them).

Further, as I also wrote, I was forced to set it up after the update to iOS 12.

The TFA itself is OK for what it was made, but not how it works. It definitely asks too often. It would mean you cannot do anything account related while not having permanent access to your phone, because you must tell a trusted phone number. Let's say I would only have an iPad, there would be no way to send the code to a trusted device. Means, if I remove the trusted number, the TFA is supposed to stop working.

And last but not least, there is no "enrollment confirmation e-mail".

Dec 2, 2018 6:13 AM in response to infiniter

Two factor authentication is designed by apple company and their engineers for apple products and not for window computers .

We have no thoughts about it , as I am routine Mac user and a member in this community just like yourself .

And a trusted number is always added it could be your landline number or a mobile number to get code .

Send the feedback at these links Feedback - iCloud - Apple

Product Feedback - Apple

Dec 2, 2018 6:19 AM in response to tygb

I see your intention to help, but you are thinking in the wrong direction. The problem is not Windows. I only wanted to point out that Windows has no OS integrated iCloud and/or Apple security setting tools like MacOS. That's why anything is managed on Apple's websites, which works well, but it would still ask for codes. If it would only ask when accessing my ID or account, then it would be OK and useful, for everything else related to my iPhone I use Touch ID. Touch ID is considered to be secure enough to purchase apps or music, so why isn't it secure enough to confirm changes in my iCloud settings? Instead Apple's servers would now always ask for the TFA code. This is paradox to me.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

How to turn off or avoid TFA/2FA?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.