This Week's Sponsor:

FastMinder

A Simple, Lightweight, and Clutter-Free Intermittent Fasting Tracking Experience


Apple Rolling Out Two-Step Verification for iCloud.com

As first noted by AppleInsider, Apple has started rolling out two-step verification for iCloud.com, allowing iCloud users who opted-in for the authentication system to sign into web apps through a verification code sent to a trusted device.

Previously, iCloud.com web apps only supported basic logins with Apple IDs. Originally launched in March 2013 and expanded to more countries in February 2014, two-step verification adds an extra layer of authentication through a trusted Apple device (such as an iPhone or iPad) that will receive a four-digit confirmation code. After signing in with their Apple IDs, users will need to enter the security code, otherwise they won’t be able to access their accounts.

On iCloud.com, two-step verification locks all the web apps available on the service except for Find My iPhone, which is left unlocked to let users recover a lost device. At the moment of writing this, I was only able to receive a confirmation code via SMS (here’s Apple’s official list of supported countries and carriers) as the over-the-air option wasn’t working. As an additional sign of the fact that Apple may still be rolling out the feature, several international iCloud.com users who are using two-step verification on their accounts told us can’t see the new authentication option on iCloud.com at the moment.

Two-step verification for Apple IDs can be activated at appleid.apple.com. For more information, you can read our guide on two-step verification for iOS devices from last year.

Unlock More with Club MacStories

Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for over six years.

In that time, members have enjoyed nearly 400 weekly and monthly newsletters packed with more of your favorite MacStories writing as well as Club-only podcasts, eBooks, discounts on apps, icons, and services. Join today, and you’ll get everything new that we publish every week, plus access to our entire archive of back issues and downloadable perks.

The Club expanded in 2021 with Club MacStories+ and Club Premier. Club MacStories+ members enjoy even more exclusive stories, a vibrant Discord community, a rotating roster of app discounts, and more. And, with Club Premier, you get everything we offer at every Club level plus an extended, ad-free version of our podcast AppStories that is delivered early each week in high-bitrate audio.

Choose the Club plan that’s right for you:

  • Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with app collections, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, a Club-only podcast, periodic giveaways, and more;
  • Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus exclusive content like Federico’s Automation Academy and John’s Macintosh Desktop Experience, a powerful web app for searching and exploring over 6 years of content and creating custom RSS feeds of Club content, an active Discord community, and a rotating collection of discounts, and more;
  • Club Premier: Everything in from our other plans and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio.