How to use two-factor authentication for your Apple Account on iPad

Using two-factor authentication helps prevent others from accessing your Apple Account, even if they know your Apple Account password. When it’s on, you need both your Apple Account password and a six-digit verification code to sign in to your Apple Account.

The verification code is sent to the phone number associated with your Apple Account, or it’s displayed on your trusted devices. You can add another trusted device, add or remove a trusted phone number, and create a password for an app that signs in with your Apple Account.

Note: Certain account types might not support two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication isn’t available in all countries or regions.

Turn on two-factor authentication

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name and tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Two-Factor Authentication.
4. Enter a trusted phone number (the number you’ll use to receive verification codes). Tap Next.

   A verification code is sent to your trusted phone number.

5. Enter the verification code on your iPad.

   Two-factor authentication is turned on for your Apple Account, and your iPad is now a trusted device.

Add another trusted device

Turning on two-factor authentication on your iPad lets you add other trusted devices to your Apple Account.

1. On the device you want to add, sign in to your Apple Account you used to turn on two-factor authentication.
2. When prompted, enter the six-digit verification code that appears on your iPad, another trusted device, a trusted phone number, or your Mac.
3. Enter the verification code on the new device.

   You aren’t asked for a verification code again unless you sign out completely, erase your device, sign in to your Apple Account in a web browser, or need to change your Apple Account password for security reasons.

Add or remove a trusted phone number

If you want to use two-factor authentication but can’t reach the phone number you added when you turned it on, extra trusted phone numbers can help.

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name and tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Two-Factor Authentication.
4. Do one of the following:
   • Add a number: Tap Add a Trusted Phone Number and enter the phone number.
   • Remove a number: Tap the Delete button next to the phone number.

Trusted phone numbers don’t automatically receive verification codes. If you can’t access any trusted devices when setting up a new device for two-factor authentication, tap “Didn’t get a verification code?” on the new device, then choose one of your trusted phone numbers to receive the verification code.

View or remove trusted devices

1. Start the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap your name.

   A list of the devices associated with your Apple Account appears near the bottom of the screen.

3. To remove a device, tap it, then tap Remove from Account.

   If you remove a trusted device, it can no longer display verification codes and its access to iCloud (and other Apple services on the device) is blocked. To add it back, use two-factor authentication to sign in to your Apple Account again.

Generate a password for an app that signs in to your Apple Account

Signing in to your Apple Account with two-factor authentication from a third-party app or service, such as a calendar, contacts, or email app, requires generating an app-specific password.

1. Sign in to your Apple Account.
2. Tap App-Specific Passwords, then tap Generate an app-specific password.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions.

After you generate your app-specific password, enter or paste it into the password field of the app as you would normally.