I signed up for the extra level of security Apple offered called Two-Step Verification. With the advent of iOS 9, Apple started offering Two-Factor Authentication. If you want to read about the differences, I’ve listed the two Apple support articles about the offerings. The main difference between the two is that Two-Step Verification relied on the code being sent via the less secure method of SMS, and the newer Two-Factor Authentication uses built-in funtionality in iOS 9 and above.
Two-step verification: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204152
Two-factor authentication: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204915
My goal was to enable my Apple Watch to automatically unlock my Mac running macOS Sierra, which requires Two-Factor Authentication, so we’ll go through those steps as well.
Open System Preferences, Security & Privacy
Check the box next to your Apple Watch’s name. Note the watch must be running iOS 3, and the Mac must be running macOS Sierra.
Confusing message telling you to turn off two-step verfication
Hitting OK won’t do anything. Open a browser and go to http://appleid.apple.com
Scroll down to Security
and tap on Edit
Select Turn Off Two-Step Verification
Select Turn Off Two-Step Verification (again)
Make up fake answers to security questions
Confirm your birthday (no idea why)
Confirm your rescue email
Click OK
Open System Preferences, iCloud
Select Security tab and select Set Up two-factor authentication
Choose Set Up
Turn on anyway
Apple appears to think I still own every device I ever purchased. You may or may not see this warning
Enter 6-digit verification code
This code will be sent to the Trusted Phone Number you saw back on the Security section at appleid.apple.com
Enter your macOS account password
This is the password you use to log into and unlock your Mac.
4-digit code
This was the tricky step – you KNOW this one, not sent to you. I had no memory of them ever sending me one or me ever setting one up, but I guessed what it was. I have no idea what this is for and how it’s secure at all. If you tap Forgot Code you’ll see the next screen.
Approve this Mac using another device
This didn’t work when I tried Use Other Device (nothing else got a code). Luckily I did figure out the 4 digit code in the previous step.
Finish on your phone
The iPhone will now ask you for a Passcode
This is the passcode or password you use to unlock your phone. So many passcodes, it’s getting harder to figure out what they mean.
Enter Your Mac’s account password
Now it’s the user account password AGAIN that you use to unlock and log into your Mac.
Finally check the box again to select your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac
Technically you didn’t have to do this step the first time, you could have started at the AppleID site but I wanted you to enjoy the same journey as me. Back to System Preferences, Security & Privacy, General tab.
Reboot the Mac
They don’t tell you to do it but both Steve and I had to reboot to get the Apple Watch to unlock our Macs.