Use two-factor authentication for your Apple ID on iPhone (2024)

Using two-factor authentication helps prevent others from accessing your Apple ID account, even if they know your AppleID password. When it’s on, you need both your Apple ID password and a six-digit verification code to sign into your Apple ID account. The verification code is sent to the phone number associated with your Apple ID, or displayed on your trusted devices.

Two-factor authentication for AppleID is available in iOS17, iPadOS17, OSX 13, or later.

Note: Certain account types might not support two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication isn’t available in all countries or regions. See the Apple Support article Availability of two-factor authentication for AppleID.

Turn on two-factor authentication

On your iPhone go to Settings > [yourname]> Sign-In & Security.
Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, then tap Continue.
Enter a trusted phone number (the number you’ll use to receive verification codes), then tap Next.
A verification code is sent to your trusted phone number.
Enter the verification code on your iPhone.
Two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple ID, and your iPhone is now a trusted device.

Add another trusted device

After you turn on two-factor authentication on your iPhone, you can add other trusted devices to your Apple ID account.

On the device you want to add, sign in with the same AppleID you used to turn on two-factor authentication.
When prompted, enter the six-digit verification code that appears on your iPhone, another trusted device, a trusted phone number, or your Mac.
Enter the verification code on the new device.
You won’t be asked for a verification code again unless you sign out completely, erase your device, sign in to your AppleID account page in a web browser, or need to change your AppleID password for security reasons.
Note: A trusted device must use iOS17, iPadOS17, or OSX13 (or later).

Add or remove a trusted phone number

Adding trusted phone numbers can be useful if you want to use two-factor authentication but don’t have access to the phone number you added when you turned it on.

Go to Settings > [yourname]> Sign-In & Security, then tap Two-Factor Authentication.
Tap Edit (above the list of trusted phone numbers), then enter your device passcode when prompted.
Do one of the following:
- Add a number: Tap Add a Trusted Phone Number, then enter the phone number.
- Remove a number: Tap next to the phone number.
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When you’re finished making changes, tap Done.

Trusted phone numbers don’t automatically receive verification codes. If you can’t access any trusted devices when setting up a new device for two-factor authentication, tap “Didn’t get a verification code?” on the new device, then choose one of your trusted phone numbers to receive the verification code.

View or remove trusted devices

Go to Settings > [yourname].
A list of the devices associated with your AppleID appears near the bottom of the screen.
To remove a device, tap it, then tap Remove from Account.
If you remove a trusted device, it can no longer display verification codes and its access to iCloud (and other Apple services on the device) is blocked. To add it back, use two-factor authentication to sign in to your Apple ID again.

Generate a password for an app that signs in to your Apple ID account

To sign in to your AppleID account from a third-party app or service (such as an email, contacts, or calendar app) using two-factor authentication, you need to generate an app-specific password.

Sign in to your AppleID account.
Tap App-Specific Passwords, then tap “Generate an app-specific password.”
Follow the onscreen instructions.

After you generate your app-specific password, enter or paste it into the password field of the app as you would normally.

For more information, see the Apple Support article Using app-specific passwords.

As a seasoned expert in digital security and authentication practices, I've been deeply involved in the realm of securing online accounts, particularly focusing on Apple's ecosystem. My understanding extends beyond theoretical knowledge, incorporating hands-on experience and a nuanced comprehension of the intricacies involved in safeguarding sensitive information.

In the context of the provided article on using two-factor authentication (2FA) for Apple ID, let's break down the key concepts:

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
- Definition: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before accessing their account.
- Apple's Implementation: In the case of Apple ID, users need both their password and a six-digit verification code to sign in.
Activation and Compatibility:
- Supported Devices and Versions:
  - Two-factor authentication for Apple ID is available in iOS 17, iPadOS 17, OSX 13, or later.
  - A trusted device must use iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or OSX 13 (or later).
Enabling Two-Factor Authentication:
- Steps:
  - On an iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security.
  - Tap "Turn On Two-Factor Authentication" and follow the on-screen instructions.
  - Input a trusted phone number to receive verification codes.
Adding Trusted Devices:
- Procedure:
  - Sign in on the desired device with the same Apple ID used for 2FA.
  - Enter the six-digit verification code from an existing trusted device, phone number, or Mac.
Managing Trusted Phone Numbers:
- Add or Remove:
  - In Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security, tap Two-Factor Authentication.
  - Add or remove trusted phone numbers as needed.
View or Remove Trusted Devices:
- Steps:
  - In Settings > [your name], view a list of devices associated with your Apple ID.
  - Remove a device by tapping it and selecting "Remove from Account."
App-Specific Passwords:
- Purpose:
  - To sign in to third-party apps or services using 2FA.
- Generation:
  - In Apple ID settings, tap "App-Specific Passwords" and follow the instructions to generate a password for a specific app.
Security Considerations:
- Impact of Removing a Trusted Device:
  - Removing a trusted device blocks its access to iCloud and other Apple services.
Additional Notes:
- Limitations:
  - Two-factor authentication may not be available for certain account types or in all countries/regions.

By following these comprehensive guidelines, users can enhance the security of their Apple ID accounts, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access. For further details or specific scenarios, users are encouraged to refer to the official Apple Support resources on two-factor authentication for Apple ID.