Protect your iCloud account

After you’ve updated your iPhone or iPad to iOS 10.3, you may notice that Apple has moved iCloud and other Apple ID-related items behind a single row at the top level of Settings. Importantly, if you have not enabled two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, you’ll see a prompt below that row to enable this feature.

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA for short, is intended to offer an extra layer of protection to your precious Apple ID and the various services you use it with: Apple’s various download stores and your iCloud account, the latter of which may contain a wealth of personal information and files.

With 2FA switched on for your Apple ID, your password isn’t the only thing you’ll need to gain access to your account. You’ll also need one of your trusted devices to hand, so you can confirm that any attempt to use your Apple ID is being made by you.

Let’s say you’re using a Mac or PC at work and try to sign in to iCloud (or iCloud.com) using your Apple ID. When you enter the email address and password for your ID, each of your trusted devices will display an authorization request.

You can decline a request right away, and whoever is trying to access your account will be unable to do so. To grant access using one of your trusted devices, you’ll need to unlock the device first, and then you’ll be shown a verification code that you must enter on the new device within a limited duration.

To set up 2FA, and for answers to common questions, go to apple.

co/1QcM786. Below you’ll find some tips on managing 2FA, especially with third-party apps.