Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime get two-step verification to add security
The feature keeps other people from breaking into users' accounts — even if they have the right password
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Apple has introduced new security measures in its messaging and video calling apps, designed to keep people from getting into users’ accounts.
The company has added two-step verification to iMessage and FaceTime, making it more difficult for people to break into those accounts even if they have the right password.
When the process is turned on, Apple adds a phone number to accounts. If someone attempts to sign in to iMessage or FaceTime, they’ll be asked to enter a four-digit code that will be sent to that phone number, in addition to the usual username and password.
In case users lose the phone or it is stolen, they will be able to print out a 14-digit recovery key, which will do the same job.
Apple’s iPhones and iPads will prompt users to turn the feature on the first time that they sign in or edit contact information.
It will come into effect whenever users attempt to sign in to FaceTime or iMessage. Apple has already rolled out the process for other parts of its online services — including making changes to Apple IDs, buying things from iTunes or the App Store, or getting support from Apple.
The feature was added to iTunes and iCloud accounts in 2013.
“Two-step verification is a feature you can use to keep your Apple ID and personal information as secure as possible,” Apple notes in its page on the feature.
Apple’s security features have been under scrutiny since its iCloud storage service was implicated in “the fappening”. Users claimed to have been able to access celebrity’s iCloud accounts by guessing passwords, and so gaining access to photos that were later shared on the internet.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments