Am I missing something? Why is this posted here and now?
Edit to clarify my confusion: is this new? What's the difference between this and two factor verification (which we've had for a while)?
Edit to clarify my confusion: is this new? What's the difference between this and two factor verification (which we've had for a while)?
> Is this different than Apple’s current two-step verification feature?
> Yes. Two-factor authentication is a new service built directly into iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan. It uses different methods to trust devices and deliver verification codes, and offers a more streamlined user experience. The current two-step verification feature will continue to work separately for users who are already enrolled.
Since I was already using two-step verification, I had to turn it off for the new, two-factor authentication, option to appear. I turned it on and it looks like it's working now.
I have to agree that this was very confusing.
EDIT: looks like I can authenticate from OS X now, nice. Before I had to always unlock my phone.
This can be very confusing and should be made more clear in Apple's documentation the iCloud Preferences UI on OS X.
Here is how I understand it, there are two methods: 1. Two-Step verification 2. Two-Factor authentication
1 is the old method. 2 is new.
With method 1 you can add devices manually as 'trusted'. Auth is a simple 4 digit code and contains no interesting info.
With method 2 devices are automatically added if they are supported and you sign in. You cannot add devices via your account info manually. Codes are 6 digit and auth dialog includes a map with approximate location of login attempt. The new method also seems to be a more 'native' and better experience.
Obviously, method 2 is preferred due to the 6-digit code and more info about the potential attacker (or trustee for those who do such things).
Also, I did have to add at least my iPhone manually at first.
It seems like you might have it backwards?
EDIT: My bad. I tried to set up 2FA, by following the "Manage your Account" link from the 2FA info page, but actually set up the old 2SV, with no 2FA options in sight... This is a grungier experience than I would (naively) expect from Apple, as a new Apple customer. Turns out you must set this up on a device, not through the website! They detail this halfway down the page in the "turn on" instructions.
I guess they first roll-out the feature on people like me who didn't activate old method. If everything goes fine I guess they will prompt everyone to switch to the new method on the next update.
> Yes. Two-factor authentication is a new service built directly into iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan. It uses different methods to trust devices and deliver verification codes, and offers a more streamlined user experience. The current two-step verification feature will continue to work separately for users who are already enrolled.
Wish they would expound a bit more...