iOS 10 lets users set up two-factor authentication for their Apple ID, making logging in with your account more secure. In this tip we explain how that works exactly.
Two-factor authentication in iOS 10
Two-factor authentication is one of the better ways to log in more securely. Instead of just entering your password when logging in, you also need to enter a verification code, indicating that you are actually the person trying to log in. For example, malicious parties cannot access your data and they cannot log in to, for example, iCloud.com.
Two-factor authentication has been available in iOS for a while. It was true that it was previously possible that the option did not work, because you have devices that run on an old iOS version, and therefore do not support two-factor authentication.
In iOS 10, you can also set up two-factor authentication if you have older devices associated with your Apple ID. Moreover, the setting is now in a slightly different way, where you have to go through several steps. You can read how it works below.
This is how you set it up
- On the iPhone or iPad with which you want to use two-factor authentication, go to ‘Settings> iCloud’ and tap your account at the top. Then enter your password;
- Then select ‘Password and security’ and tap ‘Set up two-factor authentication’;
- Press ‘Continue’ and choose ‘Enable Anyway’ if you get a message that some devices are not ready for two-factor authentication;
- Then enter the answers to your security questions and choose the phone number you want to use to verify your identity. You can indicate whether you want to receive a voice call, or prefer a text message;
- You will then receive an Apple ID verification code on your phone. You will then be asked to enter your password again.
That was it! When you now try to log in to, for example, the Apple or iCloud website, you also need to enter the verification code that you will receive on the configured iPhone or iPad in addition to your password. At ‘Settings> iCloud> Your account’ you can also generate verification codes, which you can use to log in to another device or iCloud.com.