Apple ID - Turn on Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication helps prevent others from accessing your Apple ID account, even if they know your Apple ID password. Two-factor authentication for Apple ID is built into iOS 9, iPadOS 13, OS X 10.11, or later.

Certain features in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS require the security of two-factor authentication, which is designed to protect your information. If you create a new Apple ID on a device with iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4, or later, your account automatically uses two-factor authentication. If you previously created an Apple ID account without two-factor authentication, you can turn on its extra layer of security at any time.

Note: Certain account types may be ineligible for two-factor authentication at the discretion of Apple. Two-factor authentication isn’t available in all countries or regions. See the Apple Support article Availability of two-factor authentication for Apple ID.

For information about how two-factor authentication works, see the Apple Support article Two-factor authentication for Apple ID.

1. If your Apple ID account isn’t already using two-factor authentication, go to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.

2. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication, then tap Continue.

3. Enter a trusted phone number, a phone number where you want to receive verification codes for two-factor authentication (it can be the number for your iPhone).

   You can choose to receive the codes by text message or automated phone call.

4. Tap Next.

5. Enter the verification code sent to your trusted phone number.
   To send or resend a verification code, tap “Didn’t get a verification code?”
   You won’t be asked for a verification code again on your iPhone unless you sign out completely, erase your iPhone, sign in to your Apple ID account page in a web browser, or need to change your Apple ID password for security reasons.

After you turn on two-factor authentication, you have a two-week period during which you can turn it off. After that period, you can’t turn off two-factor authentication. To turn it off, open your confirmation email and click the link to return to your previous security settings. Keep in mind that turning off two-factor authentication makes your account less secure and means you can’t use features that require a higher level of security.

Note: If you use two-step verification and upgrade to iOS 13 or later, your account might be migrated to use two-factor authentication. See the Apple Support article Two-step verification for Apple ID.