How To Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication on iPhone

Passwords serve as the first defense against technological threats and cyber risks. While it’s true there are several methods and tools capable of bypassing such security protocols, passwords still play a vital role in keeping the safety of the device, data, and user.

As technology advances, various ways of strengthening passwords and login credentials are being introduced. While no longer new, one example of which is two-factor authentication (2FA). On top of the usual username and password, 2FA provides users an additional layer of security, protecting their accounts and data. 2FA codes are, indeed, handy means of ensuring safer access and/or experience. 

Not everyone, however, appreciates or prefers the use of two-factor authentication. In fact, several users look for ways on how to turn off the two-factor authentication iPhone as it’s becoming more of an inconvenience, having to put in or pass additional verification before accessing an account or launching an app. If you’re one of those iPhone users, read on to learn more about Apple’s 2-factor authentication process. Let’s see if there are reliable and efficient ways on how to turn off two-factor authentication on an iPhone.

How 2 Factor Authentication Apple ID Works

As its name implies, with two-factor authentication, a user is required to pass two levels of verification – typically a user-created password and a system-generated code. Such an additional layer of security aims to provide extra protection to valuable information, preventing them to fall into the hands of suspicious and malicious online predators.

In the same way, iPhone 2FA has been specifically created to provide an additional layer of security to Apple IDs. Since Apple credentials work like an all-in-one pass in accessing all of Apple’s products and services, the 2-factor authentication is meant to ensure only the legitimate user could access the Apple account. So, even if a third party gains access to the Apple password, the hacker couldn’t easily penetrate the account and exploit data.

Some iOS device users are looking for ways on how to turn off two-factor authentication iPhone or turn off Apple ID verification. Despite the safety and security it promises, there are still those who opt to disable the two-step verification iPhone merely because the process could get inconvenient for them. Before you completely turn off 2-factor authentication, let’s first understand how it works in the first place.

In using Apple 2FA, ensure you remember your Apple ID password, set a passcode on all of your iOS devices, see to it that your registered trusted phone number(s) is up-to-date, and maintain the security of your trusted devices. Also be wary of these three vital aspects of the two-factor authentication process of Apple.

• Trusted Phone Number

A trusted phone number is a piece of contact information that’s registered to receive verification codes either via text messages or phone calls. At least one active phone number is required to be able to enable two-factor authentication. It’s also advisable to add additional numbers for more means of recovering your Apple ID account in case an issue arises.

• Trusted Device

In a nutshell, a trusted device is an iOS device that has been previously verified and validated to be owned by you – from iPhone to iPad to iPod touch (iOS 9 or later) to Mac (OS X El Capitan). To make a new Apple device a trusted device, you’ll be asked to log in utilizing your Apple password and a 6-digit verification code. Such codes will be sent to your trusted phone number or will automatically appear on any other trusted device you own.

• Verification Code

A verification code is the unique key needed to fully access your 2-FA-enabled Apple account on a new device. It’s a temporary code that’s automatically sent when you attempt to log in using any device not recognized as “trusted” or it could also be acquired from any trusted device’s Settings section. Note that this verification code is different from your device’s PIN or passcode.

How To Turn Off Two Factor Authentication on iPhone

How to turn off 2-factor authentication iPhone? How to disable two-factor authentication? How to turn off 2 step verification iCloud? How to turn off Apple ID verification? 

Are you one of the many iOS device users asking similar questions? Have you previously activated 2FA and, for some reason, need or want to revert it. Before we tackle the possible ways to turn off two-factor authentication, let’s first quickly check how to turn it on in the first place.

1. 1. Launch your iOS device’s Settings page.
   2. Select your device [your name or your iOS device name].
   3. Navigate to the Password & Security section.
   4. Choose Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
   5. Tap Continue.
   6. Input an active phone number that will be utilized to receive verification codes (it could be the number used on the same device you’re trying to log into or a separate personal phone number or a home/business number or even somebody else’s number).
   7. Set whether you wish to receive the verification code via text or call.
   8. Hit the Next button.
   9. Wait for the code and type it into the provided field. (Tap Didn’t get a verification code? To resend).

By default, once you’ve set your device as “trusted”, you will no longer be prompted to input a verification code. This is unless you reset the device to its factory settings, completely sign out your Apple account, sign in via the web, or have to change your Apple account password.

Once the 2-FA setting is enabled, you’ll be given two weeks to change your mind and deactivate it. To do so, simply click on the link from the confirmation email you received when you enrolled in your account. This will automatically revert everything into your previous security settings.

After the two-week period, you will no longer be allowed to turn off two-factor authentication on your iPhone. Yes, after all, there are no other means on how to turn off two-factor authentication in iOS devices. Once two-factor authentication is activated, you can no longer deactivate it. In fact, by default, 2FA is enabled for certain features of Apple devices running on the latest versions of iOS and macOS. All these are mainly to ensure maximum possible security protocols and safety nets in place, protecting the owner of the device, the data stored within the device, and the device itself.

Manage Apple ID Without Two-factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication has been put in place to ensure more secured and safer access. You can think of it as the double lock for a more stringent defense and protection against threats. This is another way for Apple to mitigate risks both on their end and on the end of the user. Through these verification codes, hackers can’t easily penetrate your iOS device or gain access to your valuable data even if, per se, they somehow gain access to your Apple ID and password.

Despite the safety and security that it promises though, some users still prefer to turn off two-factor authentication iPhone or turn off Apple ID verification code. Nevertheless, whatever your reason may be for actively looking for ways on how to turn off 2 step verification on iPhone or how to turn off two-factor authentication on iPhone, it’s an almost impossible move. As previously mentioned, your only chance to do so is the 2-week leeway after enabling this setting. Hence, it’s indeed almost impossible to manage your 2FA-enabled Apple account if you lost access to your 2FA-linked device(s) or number(s).

Even Apple Support can’t do anything to manually verify your identity and manage your Apple account on your behalf, as well as to expedite the account recovery process. They could, however, walk you through, answer inquiries, and recommend other possible options based on the concerns you would be raising. They could as well create a ticket for an account recovery in case you are having issues signing into your Apple account, accessing another trusted, resetting your password, or not receiving verification codes

Why Two-Factor Authentication Can’t Be Disabled?

How to turn off 2-factor authentication? Why can’t turn off two-factor authentication? Is it even possible to disable two-factor authentication iPhone? Why is there no means to turn off 2-factor authentication iPhone? 

Yes, several iOS device users are asking similar questions. Unfortunately, since it’s directly related to safety and security, this is something Apple can’t and won’t compromise. We all know how big Apple is in terms of privacy, safety, and security aspects. Hence, the main reasons why iPhone 2FA can’t be disabled.

After all, your 2FA-enabled Apple account is pretty much a more secure venue to store private information and confidential data. This is why Apple has even decided to incorporate two-factor authentication as a built-in feature on its recently released IOS device models and system versions.

Other iPhone Security Settings To Be Aware Of

Besides 2FA, there are other iPhone settings available to users to secure an iPhone. These include:

• Passcode: Set a passcode to lock the iPhone. 
• Face ID & Touch ID: Utilize facial recognition or your fingerprint to lock an iPhone, authorize payments, and sign into certain apps. 
• App Permissions: Control what iPhone data and features third-party apps can access. 
• Find My iPhone: Locate your lost or stolen iPhone.

For more iPhone Security advice, CLICK HERE.