Author Topic: Two-factor verification & Mojave & iOS 12 - warning  (Read 1439 times)

Offline Paddy

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Two-factor verification & Mojave & iOS 12 - warning
« on: December 13, 2018, 02:18:16 PM »
Just a warning if you haven't enabled two-factor verification and don't want it (as I don't - it's a royal pain, IMHO) - do NOT enable it. Once you do, if you're running either iOS 12 or Mojave, you're stuck. You cannot turn it off. My sister did it (not realizing you couldn't turn it off) and we just got through setting up her new iMac and doing various things to iPhones and iPads attached to her Apple ID, and by the end of it, we were both ready to throw all hardware out the window. Every time we turned around we were being asked to enter another *&^% verification code. Now, there is a somewhat ominous bit in the Apple article about features that require it, but I haven't encountered any with iOS 12 installed - haven't updated to Mojave. I find this most intrusive on Apple's part - I suspect that the only way you could back out of it now is to abandon your existing Apple ID and using a new one*, which for anyone with any sort of purchase history with Apple, isn't going to be a good option.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915

I really, really, hate that companies seem to think they can take all security decisions out of our hands in the name of "protecting" us. /end of rant.

*But only if you create it with iOS 10.3 or earlier, or OS 10.12.3 or earlier - if you do it in anything more recent, you're stuck with 2FA whether you like it or not.
« Last Edit: December 13, 2018, 03:23:35 PM by Paddy »
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13

Offline Xairbusdriver

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Re: Two-factor verification & Mojave & iOS 12 - warning
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2018, 03:31:08 PM »
Just in time for your gift list: Take Control of Your Apple ID by Glenn Fleishman :rolleyes: It may be cheaper if it gets bundled with other TC books such as Take Control of Your Online Privacy and Take Control of iCloud. If you visit the linked page, you'll see one item that is discussed in the book: What problems can two-factor authentication (2FA) solve. However, I wouldn't hope for an answer to: And how can I deauthorize 2FA?! :wallbash:
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes:

Offline Highmac

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Re: Two-factor verification & Mojave & iOS 12 - warning
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2018, 04:12:54 AM »
Thanks for that info, Paddy. I'm still on High Sierra and am in no rush to upgrade - all is working OK at present. I've also not updated my iPhone... it "offers" to update between 2am and 4am if the phone is connected to power so it always gets recharged during the day  :Devilish:

Eventually, of course...
Neil
MacMini (2018) OS10.14.6 (Mojave). Monitor: LG 27in 4K Ultra HD LED.
15in MacBook Pro (Mid 2014) OS10.13.4 (High Sierra);
15in MacBook Pro (2010), (ex-Snow Leopard); now OS10.13.6 (High Sierra); 500GB Solid-State SATA drive; 4GB memory.

Offline Xairbusdriver

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Re: Two-factor verification & Mojave & iOS 12 - warning
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2018, 09:13:57 AM »
You don't have to use 2FA if you upgrade to Mojave macOS 10.14, but you will have a basically permanent notification reminder on System Prefs->iCloud. Since I keep the Dock hidden, I only see this when actually open System Prefs. :ohmy: :whew:

"Just say NO!" :)
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes: