When discussing digital security, "two-step" and "two-factor" are often used interchangeably. But confusingly, Apple offers two slightly different forms of enhanced security, called two-step authentication and two-factor authentication.
But no matter which security measure you're using, if at any point you want to switch one for the other, you can turn off the one you're currently using. However, it's becoming more common for people to switch from two-step to two-factor authentication since the latter is more advanced.
What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication is a newer and more secure system that includes interactive push notifications on your iOS devices, like the iPhone. Two-factor authentication has become an essential way to keep your data safe.
By requiring two unique ways to prove your identity — typically, a password (something you know) and a verification code sent to your phone (something you possess) — it makes it dramatically harder for a hacker to gain access to your personal or financial data.
If you are still using two-step authentication and want to switch to the two-factor alternative, you need to turn off two-step authentication first.
How to turn off two-step authentication on the iPhone
1. In a web browser, go to the Apple ID page and sign in to your Apple account.
2. Make sure you've selected Sign-In and Security on the left menu and then click on Account Security on the right.
3. Click Turn Off Two-Step Verification. Click again to confirm this is what you want to do.
4. You might need to create a security question and verify your date of birth.
Two-step verification is now turned off.
But be aware, once two-factor authentication becomes permanent on your iPhone, you can't turn it off.
How to turn off two-factor authentication on an iPhone (within an available two-week window)
As we've indicated, once you turn on two-factor authentication on an iPhone — unlike two-step authentication — it cannot be turned off. Apple has implemented this to enforce enhanced security for the iPhone and iPad.
There's one exception: You have a two-week window, starting from when you initially activate two-factor authentication, in which to turn it back off. After that, it's permanent.
If you are within that two-week window, you can turn it off by opening the confirmation email you got when you enabled two-factor authentication, locating the link that lets you return to the previous security settings, and clicking on it.
