Apple Two-Step Verification Now Available for iMessage and FaceTime [Updated]

Apple's two-step verification system now covers FaceTime and iMessage, reports The Guardian. Signing into an iMessage or FaceTime account protected by two-step verification will ask users to input an app specific password, which can only be obtained by logging in to an Apple ID account on the web with an authentication code, thereby preventing any unauthorized login attempts.

IMG_3365
Two-factor verification is an opt-in system that was first introduced in March of 2013 to increase the security of Apple ID accounts. Prior to today, a verification code was only required for making changes to an account, signing into iCloud, or making iTunes/App Store purchases from a new device.

Two-factor authentication for iCloud is a recent addition that was implemented in September following the breach of several celebrity iCloud accounts, leading to a slew of leaked photos. The hacking incident led Apple to improve the security of iCloud and it also prompted the company to send out security emails when a device is restored, iCloud is accessed, or a password change is attempted.

Last month, a Medium post highlighting some of the remaining shortcomings of two-factor authentication was shared by several technology sites, which may have inspired Apple to update the service to protect iMessage and FaceTime accounts. The post pointed out that it was still possible to log into iMessage, FaceTime, iTunes, the App Store, and into the website using an account with two-factor authentication enabled without being asked for a verification code.

It seems two-factor authentication for iMessage and FaceTime may still be rolling out to users, as MacRumors was able to log into iMessage and FaceTime accounts with two-factor authentication enabled without a code.

Update: Two-factor authentication for iMessage and FaceTime seems to be more widely available now, and it appears that logging into an account requires an app specific password rather than a code to prevent unauthorized entry attempts.

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 19 Feature Mock Light

iOS 19 Will Bring Biggest Design Overhaul Since iOS 7

Monday March 10, 2025 12:17 pm PDT by
Apple is planning for a major design overhaul of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac interfaces with the introduction of iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 later this year, reports Bloomberg. The update will "fundamentally change" the look of Apple's operating system, introducing a more consistent cross-platform experience. Apple plans to update the style of icons, menus, apps, windows, and system...
ios 18 4 carplay

Apple Upgrades CarPlay in Two Ways

Wednesday March 12, 2025 6:05 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 18.4 update for the iPhone includes a smaller but meaningful improvement for Apple's in-car iPhone mirroring system CarPlay. Specifically, CarPlay now shows a third row of icons, up from two rows previously. However, this change is only visible in vehicles with a larger center display. For example, a MacRumors Forums member noticed the change in a Toyota Tundra with a...
Apple One Apps Feature 2

Apple One's Best Plan Now Includes Two More Perks For Free

Monday March 10, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
Apple One allows you to subscribe to up to six Apple services for one discounted monthly price. There are three Apple One tiers: Individual, Family, and Premier. Over the last month, the highest-end ‌Apple One‌ Premier plan has gained two additional perks. Here is what Apple One Premier already included, for $37.95 per month:Apple Music Apple TV+ Apple Arcade Apple News+ Apple Fitness+...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Launch Now Just Months Away: Here's What We Know

Tuesday March 11, 2025 3:26 am PDT by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as excellent for...
iOS 18

12 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 18.4

Monday March 10, 2025 9:28 am PDT by
Apple is set to release iOS 18.4 in early April, bringing further refinements to Apple Intelligence features, a neat new capability to iPhone 15 Pro devices, new emoji, and more. While not quite as packed with new features as Apple's preceding iOS 18 point releases, iOS 18.4 still introduces enhancements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 12 new...
iphone 17 mockups idevicehelp

Video Shows iPhone 17 Mockups Based on 'Internal Documents'

Monday March 10, 2025 4:41 am PDT by
YouTuber iDeviceHelp on Friday posted a video that shows off mockups of Apple's forthcoming iPhone 17 models that are purportedly based on "internal documents." We're sharing the video here since it was made in collaboration with leaker Majin Bu, who last month published similar iPhone 17 renders that were widely corroborated by separate leakers with links to Apple's Chinese supply chain....
iOS 18

iOS 18.3.2 Update Coming Soon for iPhones

Monday March 10, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple employees are internally testing iOS 18.3.2 for iPhones, according to our website's visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released in the next week or two. iOS 18.3.2 will be a minor update that addresses software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. Don't expect any new features. iOS 18.3.2 will be an interim...
Apple Maps vs Google Maps Feature

iOS 18.4 Adds a Highly-Requested Setting to iPhones — But Not in U.S.

Wednesday March 12, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
iPhones are finally getting a much-requested setting, but availability is limited. The upcoming iOS 18.4 update introduces an option to set a default navigation app, other than Apple Maps, but unfortunately this new setting is limited to users in the EU. There, you can now set an app like Google Maps or Waze as your default navigation app on the iPhone by opening the Settings app and tapping ...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.3.2 With Bug Fixes

Tuesday March 11, 2025 10:33 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2, minor updates for the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.3.2 and iOS 18.3.2 come a month after Apple released iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release...

Top Rated Comments

ad1815 Avatar
132 months ago
This is tooo complex!

Passcode, iCloud password, two-factor authentication, app specific password, recovery code, key chain passcoe..... This is way too complex. I have a background in IT and I cannot keep up with the complexity. I don't think the average use knows how to navigate through.

Apple has to give us something simpler. Maybe Apple Watch is the saviour?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
organic bond Avatar
132 months ago
What I don't like is that this is compulsory. Annoying.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
132 months ago
Good move by Apple.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IHelpId10t5 Avatar
132 months ago
Passcode, iCloud password, two-factor authentication, app specific password, recovery code, key chain passcoe..... This is way too complex. I have a background in IT and I cannot keep up with the complexity. I don't think the average use knows how to navigate through.

Apple has to give us something simpler. Maybe Apple Watch is the saviour?

This hits it on the head. As an IT professional you would love to recommend that everyone turn on 2-factor wherever it exists. However, the reality is that for the MAJORITY of users, the probability of them getting hacked is much smaller than the probability of them locking themselves out of their own account! It's unfortunate, but true, that even many technically savvy people are horrible at organization and record-keeping. They are so used to just being able to reset forgotten passwords at will, that they are at great risk of forfeiting any account that they choose to enable 2-factor on.

Password managers certainly go a long way towards optimal use of unique passwords. However, how many users do you know would actually know how to use their password manager of choice well. How many people do you know that if they enabled 2-factor for a given service like an AppleID, would take the time to customize their vault entry to include their 2-factor recovery key?

How many people do you know that understand that they will forfeit their purchases, email, iCloud, etc, forever if they enable 2-factor on their AppleID but then get locked out and don't know their recovery key?

For these reasons, in 2014 I still find it tough to recommend 2F for anyone that I don't know well enough to understand their technical and credential management aptitude. For the other 99%, I just try to get them interested in using a password manager instead.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Small White Car Avatar
132 months ago
I don't see the point? What is there in FaceTime or iMessage I need to secure? It's not like my SSN is stored there.
Well, considering that banks are now using a text message as THEIR 2-factor authentication and the fact that texts sync with iMessage and... well you start to see the problem. Your life is becoming a web and entire thing is only as strong as its weakest point.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NMBob Avatar
132 months ago
Staying safe can be annoying, but the alternative can be a lot worse.:(

Yeah, someone could break into your phone and send an iMessage with one of the new emoticons that doesn't match your race, and then you could get sued for being racially insensitive. (colon, right parenthesis)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)