How to Use a Security Code to Verify Your Apple ID on Any Apple Device

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Keep your Apple ID secure and protected by using this simple guide
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This wikiHow guide teaches you how to verify your Apple ID using two-factor authentication . Apple requires this feature before making changes to your account, making purchases in the App Store, or any time you log into a new device after setting up two-factor authentication. If you haven’t set up two-factor authentication yet, we’ll also explain how to do that.

Quick Steps

  • Sign in on a new device or browser with your Apple ID and password.
  • Tap or click Allow in the notification that pops up on your trusted device.
  • Enter the six-digit verification code from your trusted device on the new device.
  • Tap or click Didn’t Get a Code? to get a text or phone call with the verification code instead.
Section 1 of 5:

Signing in with a Trusted Device

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  1. You can sign in using your Apple ID on a new iPhone or iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV, iCloud website, or Apple ID management page. Use the following steps to find the sign-in section on your device: [1]
    • iPhone or iPad (& Apple Vision Pro):
      • Open the
        iPhone Settings App Icon
        Settings app.
      • Tap Sign in to your [device name].
      • Choose one of the options for signing in:
        • If you’re already logged into another iPhone or iPad with your Apple ID, you can simply select Use Another Apple Device and then bring the signed-in device close to the new device (iPhone and iPad only). Follow the on-screen prompts to sign in.
        • If you’d rather sign in with your Apple ID and password, select Sign in Manually .
    • Mac:
      • Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
      • Click System Settings (or System Preferences if you’re using an older version of macOS).
      • Click Sign In at the top of the left sidebar.
    • Apple TV:
      • Press and hold the button with the TV icon on your Apple TV or Siri remote.
      • Select Add User to begin the sign-in process.
    • Apple Watch:
      • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
      • Tap General
      • Tap Apple ID .
    • Web Browser:
  2. To sign in, enter the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID and your password.
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  3. A trusted device is any Apple product you’ve already signed into using two-factor authentication, such as your main iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer. When you log in on a new device or browser, a window should pop up on one of your trusted devices. Tap Allow on your trusted device to confirm that you are trying to log in at a different location. This also allows you to receive a verification code. [2]
    • If you don't receive a verification code, click or tap " Didn't get a verification code? " where you are trying to sign in. Then you can click or tap the option to resend the code or text it as a text message.
  4. A 6-digit verification code will appear in an alert on your trusted device or as a text message. Make a note of the 6-digit code when you see it.
    • Click OK to dismiss the message when you’re done.
  5. Enter the 6-digit code on the device you are signing into. This will verify your Apple ID and you will be signed in automatically.
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Section 2 of 5:

Getting a Verification Code in a Text or Phone Call

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  1. If you have no trusted devices on hand, or if you didn’t get a code on your trusted device, this option will give you other ways to receive the code. [3]
  2. When you first set up two-factor authentication , you would have been prompted to enter a trusted phone number. Choosing Didn’t Get a Code? will give you the option to send a verification code to this number.
    • Depending on the options you selected when you entered the number, you’ll either get the code in a text or a phone call.
    • If you receive the code in a text, you’ll see the @ symbol and a website name along with the code (e.g., @icloud.com #456789 %apple.com ).
  3. Check the text or listen to the call and write down the six-digit verification code. Then, enter it on the sign-in screen on the device or browser you are attempting to log into.
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Section 3 of 5:

Getting a Verification Code from Your iPhone or iPad

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  1. If you didn’t get a verification code on your trusted device, or if you can’t get one via a text or phone call, you can generate one in the Settings app on an iPhone or iPad that’s signed into your Apple ID. [4] Tap the app icon that has two silver gears on your iPhone or iPad home screen.
  2. It's at the top of the Settings app next to your profile image.
    • On iOS 10.2 or earlier, you will need to tap iCloud first, and then tap your name.
  3. It's the second option at the top of the Apple ID menu.
    • Depending on your version of iOS, this option might be called Password & Security instead.
    • If your device is offline, you’ll see a message that says “Account Details Unavailable” as soon as you tap Sign-In & Security . In this case, just tap the option that says Get Verification Code on the same screen.
  4. If your device is online, you’ll see this option under the email address(es) and phone number(s) associated with your Apple ID.
  5. It's at the bottom of the Two-Factor Authentication menu. A 6-digit security code will appear on-screen. Enter this 6-digit security code when you’re prompted to enter a verification code while signing into iCloud.com or another device with your Apple ID.
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Section 4 of 5:

Verifying a New Apple ID Email or Rescue Email

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  1. Go to https://appleid.apple.com/ in a web browser. This is the website you use to manage your Apple ID account. Here you can add and verify a new email address associated with your Apple ID. [5]
    • If you don’t have two-factor authentication set up, you can secure your account with a rescue email address on the Apple ID website instead.
  2. Find it by scrolling down, or click the small Sign In link at the top of the page.
  3. To sign in, enter the main email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. Then enter your password and click the arrow icon.
  4. If you have two-factor authentication activated, check your trusted device for a verification code. Then enter the 6-digit verification code in your web browser to log in.
  5. You’ll see this option in the menu on the left side of the page.
  6. This option is at the top of the main Sign-In and Security menu. A new window will pop up.
  7. Next to the email addresses header, click the + button.
  8. Type in the email address you want to add, then click Continue .
  9. It may take a moment to show up. If you don’t see it, check your spam or junk folder, or do a search in your inbox for an email sent by Apple. [6]
  10. You’ll get a verification code in the email from Apple. Go back to the Apple ID website and enter the code, then click Continue to finish linking the new email address to your account.
  11. This option is only available if you don’t have 2FA set up. You can use your rescue email to reset your security questions and receive security-related notifications. To set one up:
    • Log into https://appleid.apple.com/ and select Sign-In and Security .
    • Click Rescue Email . Answer any security questions or enter your Apple ID and password if prompted.
    • Select Add email and type in the email you want to use as your rescue address. Click Save changes .
    • Check the email you entered as your rescue address for a verification code.
    • Enter the code on the Apple ID website and click Continue .
    • If you end up switching to Two-Factor Authentication, your rescue email address will become a notification address (i.e., you will still get notifications about security issues at that address).
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Section 5 of 5:

Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication

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  1. To add extra security to your Apple ID account, Apple recommends turning on two-factor authentication (2FA). You can activate it on any Mac or iOS device that’s logged into your Apple ID, or on the Apple ID website. Once you do this, you’ll be required to verify your ID whenever you sign in on a new device. [7]
    • iPhone or iPad:
      • Open Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security .
      • Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication and tap Continue .
      • Follow the instructions onscreen to finish setting up 2FA.
    • Mac:
      • Open
        Mac Apple
        Apple menu > System Settings > your name (or Apple ID) .
      • Select Sign In & Security and click Turn On next to Two-Factor Authentication .
      • Follow the instructions to finish setting up 2FA on your Mac.
    • On the web :
      • Navigate to https://appleid.apple.com/ and sign in with your Apple ID and password.
      • Answer your security questions and tap Continue .
      • If you see a prompt asking you to upgrade your account’s security, click Continue .
      • Click Upgrade Account Security and follow the onscreen instructions.

Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you verify an Apple account?
    Community Answer
    You simply need to use the password. If you don't have it, you can go to iforgot.apple.com.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How do I verify my Apple account on an iPod Touch?
    Community Answer
    You will need another electronic device that is already signed into that account. Normally they will send a verification code to the device already signed in.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 8
  • Question
    How do I find my verification code for Apple ID?
    Community Answer
    It should show up in the email you registered, or you may get a text.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      • To see a list of your trusted devices, go to Apple menu > System Settings > [your name] on a Mac signed into your Apple ID, then scroll down to Devices . You can also view and manage your trusted devices at https://appleid.apple.com/ . [8]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/111001
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204974
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204974
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204974
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102529
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102409
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102660
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/add-or-remove-trusted-devices-mchl2310b175/mac

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Go to the sign in section on your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or at https://appleid.apple.com/ .
      2. Enter your email address and password.
      3, Tap Allow on your trusted iPhone or iPad device.
      4. Note the 6-digit verification code.
      5. Enter the verification code.

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