Your Apple ID contains sensitive personal information like credit card numbers, your address and date of birth. It is really important that you make your Apple ID secure by enabling Two-step verification, so as to make it harder for anyone to gain access to your personal information.
In this article, you will find the steps to enable Two-Step Verification for your Apple ID to make your Apple ID more secure and prevent other people from logging into your Apple ID even if they know your password.
What is Two-Step Verification for Apple ID?
Two-Step Verification adds a second layer of security to your Apple ID by making it mandatory to enter a 4 digit verification code, in order to login to your Apple Account. The verification code will be sent to your phone and you will need to enter this code, in addition to your User Name and Password.
Once you setup Two-step verification on your Apple ID, you will be asked to enter the Verification Code every time you make changes to your account, sign into iCloud or make App Store purchases from a new device.
This makes it harder for anyone to access your information, even if they manage to figure out your Apple ID password.
Enable Two-Step Verification For Apple ID
In order to setup two-step verification for Apple ID, you will need a cell phone with an active SMS messaging plan. Once this requirement is in place, follow the steps below to Enable Two-Step Verification for your Apple ID.
1. Visit appleid.apple.com and sign-in to your Account by entering your Apple ID and Password.
2. Once signed in, look for the Security section and tap on the Get Started link. You will find this link located under the Two-Step verification option (See image below).
3. Enter your answers to the Security questions presented on the next screen and click on Continue. In case you have forgotten the answers to your security questions you can click on reset security questions link.
4. The next screen will provide information about Two-Step Verification process. Simply click on Continue to move to the next screen.
5. Next, you will be required to select your country, enter in your phone number and click on Continue to receive a four digit verification code from Apple.
6. On the next screen, enter the 4-digit verification code as sent by Apple to your phone number and click on Verify.
7. On the next screen you will be able to see all your devices linked to your Apple ID.
In case you want to, you can receive the verification code for any of your other devices by clicking on Verify or totally skip this screen by clicking on Skip This Step (See image above).
8. On the next screen, you will be find a Recovery Key that will allow you to access your Account even if you forget your password. Note down this Recovery key and click on Continue.
Note: You can print the Recovery key by tapping on Print Recovery Key option located at the bottom left corner of your screen (See image above).
9. Next, you will be prompted to Confirm your Recovery Key. Enter the Recovery key that you received in Step 8 and click on Confirm.
10. On the next screen, check the little box beside “I understand the conditions above” and click on Enable Two-Step Verification link located at the bottom right corner of your screen (See image below).
11. Next, you will see a Two-Step Verification pop-up, click on Done.
That’s about it, you have now successfully enabled Two-Step Verification for your Apple ID. You can confirm if this is working by trying to login to your account.
Disable Two-Step Verification For Apple ID
In case you do not like the Two-Step verification feature, then you can easily disable Two-Step verification for your Apple ID by following the steps below.
1. Visit appleid.apple.com and sign into your Account.
2. Next, look for the Security section and tap on the Edit link (See image below)
3. On the next screen, locate the Two-Step verification option and click on Turn Off Two-Step Verification (See image below)
4. You will see a pop-up, click on Turn Off Two-Step Verification
5. On the next screen, you will be required to provide answers to 3 security questions and click on Continue to move to the next screen.
6. Next, confirm your Date of Birth and provide a recovery email (in case you have one) and click on Continue
7. The next screen will confirm that Two-Step Verification has been turned OFF for your Apple ID. Click on Ok to close this screen.
You have now successfully disabled Two-Step verification for your Apple ID and you will be able to login to your Apple Account by simply entering your password.