Why is my AppleID suddenly expiring every couple of weeks...

[Dreambird]

Hi guys... 

My problem is fairly well explained here:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4019934

For me this is a very sudden and new thing... just twice now in about as many weeks. I'll wake up my MacBook Pro and get a popup from iMessages saying my session has expired and I need to sign in with my Apple ID so I have to re-enter my password for some apps like Messages, iTunes, App Store.

This problem has never happened to me before so it's very recent unlike in the link. I haven't changed anything... I think my signature is up to date for what I have. I'll make sure.

I know my software is getting long in the tooth, I planned to upgrade things however I had a major heart attack this last March 15th and everything is just on "stall." It doesn't seem to be an OS problem though... I sign in with my Apple password and it's OK for another  couple of weeks. This happens on my MacBook Pro and my iPad... when one device requires a password so does the other. It doesn't insist on my getting a new password, just sign in with the one I have. I could change it to a very strong one as Firefox will generate one and remember it when I need to sign in... but I don't know that it would help as it's not asking for a new password it just states that my session has expired. 

*edit**
Info as to devices and software in signature is correct.

[Xairbusdriver]

Perhaps you should always be sure to end/quit any site/app that requires you to sign in with your Apple ID/Password. Only time I usually see the word "session" is when I've logged in to a very secure web site (bank, AppleCare info, etc.). But any site that requires you to log in should also have a method to log out. Always use that 'log out' function, don't just close the window or hide the app.

I read the entire (very old) thread and saw only one 'solution'. Did you try that solution?

It might help if you list the app(s)/site(s) that are requesting your Apple info. Hopefully, none of these requests are in an email.

I sense that you are still not using a real password storage app.

[Paddy]

Looking at a thread from 8 years ago isn't likely to provide much in the way of useful solutions, methinks.

I would suggest that you try the steps here: https://appletoolbox.com/icloud-keeps-asking-for-password-ios-and-os-x-fix/

[Xairbusdriver]

HA! I thought Paddy's link might have revealed an answer to another problem reported at TS: "Turn OFF 2FA" on Apple ID. Her linked site recommended logging in to the Apple ID site (I assumed it meant on Mac) and checking if 2FA was ON.

go to Apple’s site for Apple IDs and disable two-factor authentication, then try to sign in to Apple ID on the device again. If this method works, re-enable your two-factor authentication on the site once you confirm your Apple ID...

First, I had to get past the password request for my Apple ID. My Apple ID was already entered, all I had to do was enter my password. My 1Password info shows I last modified it Nov. 25, 2020. But even typing it in (I assumed Apple could tell I was pasting it in ) would simply not work. Assuming I would eventually be getting the "who-are-you-and-why-are-you-trying-to-log-in-to-Xabd's-account" dialog that ends with the "that account is now locked and don't try that again" statement. I decided to simply click the "Cancel" button.

Now I was presented with a nice, blank sign in dialog asking for both the Apple ID & Password. This time, it gladly accepted 1Passwords data.

Unfortunately, the "Manage" security options still did not allow editing the 2FA setting. Indeed, as was previously reported at TS, it just cannot be turned OFF. So, even though that linked site shows a 2020 publish date, it's credibility may be questionable, certainly in the 2FA info.

Hopefully, the other details will be enough to solve the OP's problem.

[Dreambird]

Hi guys... I am so sorry I've not replied to this thread!

This "issue" hasn't happened again until today and I managed to fix it quickly enough this time. I just had to fix it on my iPad first and then the MacBook Pro followed suit. I use Messages with my sister almost every day, but every once in awhile it decides my Apple ID needs updating or it expires whatever and then it opines that iCloud can't be accessed or such. Little surprise since I turned off iCloud as best I could. But I "think" the biggest part of the problem is that it doesn't like that my email as it is POP. On my MacBook Pro it will present a drop down asking me to choose a mail account with a list of the usual online suspects like Yahoo and Gmail. I do have a Gmail account but rarely use it... I use the native Mail app with my POP account. I suspect I'm probably being railroaded into switching to IMAP, which I have no clue how to do. Shaw used to help with email problems but the answer these days is "sorry, your problem so call Apple because we don't bother with this anymore."

Re: the 2FA thing... yeah... it's a tough one that I just by luck managed to dodge when I upgraded my iPad from iOS 9.something to iOS 11.4.1. I stupidly turned on 2FA and quickly realized how much of a pain it is and went looking for a way to turn it off which by that OS you couldn't. But there was still one saving grace I stumbled on... after 2FA was turned on you received an email asking if it was your intention to turn it on and if not you had 2 days to log into your account online and claim someone else had done it. Then you had to change your credentials such as your password and security questions and by doing so you were able to get out of the 2FA trap. A bit of a pain but it worked and I haven't touched it with a ten foot pole again since.

At this point everything works fine until every once in a blue moon it decides I need to sign in again as it says it's expired. Everything seems to point to the fact that my email is POP, not IMAP.

[Xairbusdriver]

Apple couldn't care less about what type email methods you use. They don't even care if you don't use the Mail app. Nor are they trying to "railroad" you into any particular method, ancient/modern, English/Greek. They make no money on your using iCloud and certainly none on any of the other organizations.

Mail has offered that list for a very long time: iCloud/MS Exchange/Google/yahoo!/Aol (that should give you and idea how long that pref list has been around! ). It is simply a way to allow the OS to help you set up most of the things those different (sometimes hybrid) services need. You don't have to use any of them unless you want to use Mail to send/receive mail with that 'company'. Please notice that there is one more choice: "Other Mail Account...". Note also that there is an ellipsis there. Use that choice for any service not already named, but be aware that you will have to enter all the details yourself.

As for "what to do" to use IMAP, there is only one step. Create the account in Mail and then open Mail whenever you want to read or send an email. You absolutely positively won't be able to tell whether the email came via POP or IMAP, they will all look exactly alike.

Please try to ask about only one problem in any post you start. This one is about your being requested to enter your Apple ID password. That is used by many of Apple's app, not just Mail. I'm not sure what POP vs IMAP or 2FA has to do with the threads topic.

I hope you are following the advice that is offered so often here and other help sites: Get and Use a good password manager.

BTW, your Apple ID and password don't expire. It fact, it's nearly impossible to even change them! They seem to be engraved in Granite somewhere in the underground caverns of some mountain! Probably in a cave dug by a "Snow Leopard" or in the "High Sierras" or maybe on "Catalina" Island.

[Dreambird]

Actually I was not complaining about Apple here... I am fully aware that they do not care what type or app I use for email... my own preference is for the native Mail app. The point I was trying to make is that where I was once able to get help with email issues from Shaw cable, my ISP, they now refuse to help. Their reason or so they told me was that they stopped that because they don't want to waste their time on it and if you need help to call Apple, apparently they don't want to pay their techies to supply help for a problem when it's Apple's fault. (Their words, not mine... OK? Good!) It just so happens that my email account with Shaw is POP and if I want IMAP well, then I can figure it out myself... myself? I'm more pissed off with Shaw, not Apple. I'm not really sure of who is doing the "railroading" regarding POP or IMAP, all I do know is the reason Shaw gave me is that IMAP is more secure or such? Whatever, perhaps "railroad" was the wrong term it doesn't matter, I'm for good reason at this point just not inclined to try and figure out how to change my POP account to IMAP.

The "message" I get can be confusing as it varies from app to app... today I went to iTunes and was told to sign in as my "session" had expired which is a little more helpful than the message I get when it comes to Messages and easier to fix. One simply does what the app requests and signs in while the Messages "expiration" message is a bit more complicated. Why? I have no idea.

I was (so far as I know) only addressing the one problem... the annoying expiration messages that always hits Messages first and hardest. Again... I have no idea why. In any case I simply really only wished to reply to this thread as I had not done so.

I probably should get a better password manager than what I already use, point taken, however that will not stop the expiration messages. Anyway, all I really wanted to do was the favour of a reply to this thread... not get into an argument. 

Oh... yes... I don't doubt that both POP and IMAP look the same in Mail, I know mine is POP because in Mail preferences it tells me: Account Type: POP. You can use POP or IMAP with Shaw but it will entail more than just creating another account, to SWITCH my POP account to IMAP. So sorry for any stepped upon toes. 

Thank you so much to Paddy... your link did help!

[Paddy]

POP is fairly useless these days as most people want their email on more than one device - and synced.

Switching to IMAP is simple. Move all your POP email into folders "On My Mac" that you create (ie: "old inbox" etc.) and then change the settings on the Shaw account to their settings for IMAP. Do some tests to make sure you can both send and receive, and then drag the email you want to have synced back into the Inbox/Sent Mail. DO NOT switch it without moving the email out of the active POP inbox/sent/draft folder (and backing it up for good measure) as it will regard the new, empty inbox and sent mail box in IMAP as the "authority" to which to sync - and will erase your old email on the first sync. It won't do that if you move stuff INTO those folders after they're set up and working.

[Xairbusdriver]

Useful Shaw Links for your reading pleasure:

• POP and IMAP email server settings
• How To: Set up your Shaw email
• How to set up email in Apple macOS Mail
• How to setup Shaw email on an Apple iPhone or iPad (iOS 11)

[Dreambird]

OK! Thank you both so much, Paddy and Jim for your understanding and awesome help! 

I find that I don't have a problem receiving all my mail on my iPad... it all shows up there and new email gets fetched whenever I use the Mail app. There are indeed some things I can't do from my iPad for email but it does do what I need it do at this point in time. I only have the one iPad so multiple devices aren't a problem right now. Shaw does have "webmail" where all my email shows up, perhaps this is why it's up to date on my iPad?
The last time I sought help from Shaw with email was quite some time ago... probably close to 3 years ago and that's when I got what I was told as I mentioned above... no recommendations for online Shaw support, nothing. As for switching to IMAP again... what they said is mentioned above... figure it out yourself or call Apple support. So the support links are very helpful, I've read through them and bookmarked them.

I honestly didn't know it was as easy as you explained either, Paddy... I've really just been coasting along the last couple of years and hoping nothing falls apart. I know that's not a good thing, it's just been life lately. I won't even touch Terminal of late for that reason... I've never been afraid of it but it does require one to have their wits about them in a good place.

In any case this still is the best place to come for support when it's needed IMO so I do appreciate what you've both given me!

[Raven]

Dreambird, I am totally on the same page with what you are explaining re Apple Mail. I could have written that story and called it mine!  I use another ISP but have had these mail, iTunes, iCloud issues numerous times. It gets very confusing and uses up a huge amount of time when they have to be resolved. Usually my ISP tells me that Apple Mail is the wonky problem, but it is so much cleaner to use... when it works! 
Thank goodness for these good folks at TS. I did get away from POP a while ago and have IMAP. I don't even know when that happened but it does allow you better options. Even when MAIL fails, you can still access your emails on the server! Good luck!