How to turn off 2 factor authentication (2024)

King_Solomon

8 points

cook04

19 points

After all this, it may be time to suggest sending a message to Apple to change the situation.

I really dislike the idea of giving them my phone number, it's mine and none of their business. But I could set up an email just for that and 2FA this way...

Phil0124

203,563 points

If you enrolled less that 14 days ago, open your confirmation email and click the link in it 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.

If its been more than 14 days or this is an Apple ID if recent creation, it cannot be turned off.

With that said, it should be mostly transparent in every day use.

The only time you should see it, is when logging in to a new device for the first time, or logging in to an Apple secure website such as iCloud.com or appleid.apple.com from an untrusted browser.

Phil0124

203,563 points

As mentioned, you need to use the link in the enrollment email you received to turn it off. There is no switch to turn off. You must un-enroll as explained in the support document within 2 weeks of turning it on.

From: Manage two-factor authentication for your Apple ID from iPhone - Apple Support

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.

Phil0124

203,563 points

Bob Timmons wrote:

Was setting up a new Apple ID for my wife. No other devices were using the same Apple ID.

And there it is. As I said in my first reply: Apple IDs of recent creation have it enabled by default and it cannot be turned off.

From Manage two-factor authentication for your Apple ID from iPhone - Apple Support

If you create a new AppleID on a device with iOS13.4, iPadOS13.4, macOS10.15.4, or later, your account automatically uses two-factor authentication.

Phil0124

203,563 points

I'm sorry, what do you mean by "use"?

2-Factor authentication is being used actively once its turned on. There is no specific use of it that would disable its cancellation.

I can find nothing that says it can't be tuned off after being "used" anywhere in Apple's documentation.

They explicitly mention it can be turned off within 2 weeks of enrollment.

I think what you may be referring to, is this line" If you're already using two-factor authentication with your Apple ID, you can't turn it off.... "

Its a bit vague, but that refers to Apple IDs of recent creation, (they will have 2FA on by default and it cannot be turned off on those) or if its been more than 2 weeks since enrollment.

Within the first 2 weeks of enrollment it can be turned off wether it's been "used" or not.

Bob Timmons

166,190 points

I set up my wife's new iPhone 2 days ago and enabled Two Factor at that time. We used Two Factor a time or two yesterday for some iCloud and Find My checks.

When I tried to turn off Two Factor as a test on the my wife's phone today, the phone displayed........

Two-Factor Authentication On

There was no option at all to to turn it Off. If there were, the display would read Two-Factor Authentication On >

There was no ">"

If you are setting up a new device and enabling Two Factor for the first time, you can run the same check to see if your results are the same.

Phil0124

203,563 points

Have you used the link in the email?

You seem to be looking for a switch, when there is no switch.

Or 2-Factor authentication was already turned on on the Apple ID previously, and its been more than 14 days.

If you were asked to enter a code, and did not flip a switch at all, then 2-Factor Authentication was already turned on.

It's tied to the Apple ID, not a specific device. If it was turned on previously on any device, it is active for all devices when logging in to the Apple ID.

Bob Timmons

166,190 points

Was setting up a new Apple ID for my wife. No other devices were using the same Apple ID.

It's very simple. I've been able to Turn Off Two-Factor as the doc says in the past. Could not do it with a new device with a new Apple ID.

I suspect that the "rules" have been changed, but I'm done. You can have the last word.

KiltedTim

200,464 points

Bob Timmons wrote:

It's very simple. I've been able to Turn Off Two-Factor as the doc says in the past. Could not do it with a new device with a new Apple ID.

That's the key... a new ID. You can't turn it off if it was enabled when the ID was created.

IdrisSeabright

165,659 points

You can certainly let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

KiltedTim

200,464 points

Bob Timmons

166,190 points

The fine print......

You can turn off Two Factor if you signed up....but never used it. You have 2 weeks to cancel.

But....if you have used Two Factor at all....you cannot cancel.

Bob Timmons

166,190 points

If you sign up; for Two Factor....and use it the next day only once....you cannot cancel. The two weeks cancel period only works if you do not use Two Factor at all during the two week period.

Bob Timmons

166,190 points

I know what it says. But it does not do what it says.

If it did, I would be able to turn off the Two-Factor that was set up 2 days ago.