Two factor authentication

[DaveS]

I've been trying to get my .me mail account back since this change by Apple, and it just goes round and round--same questions, multiple logins with apple id and changes at a root level on my computer. I can't seem to finish the following instructions from the website:

Manage app-specific passwords

You can have up to 25 active app-specific passwords at any given time. If you need to, you can revoke passwords individually or all at once.

Sign in to your Apple ID account page.
In the Security section, click Edit.
In the App Specific Passwords section, click View History.
Click next to a password you want to delete, or Revoke All.

I have not seen any sign of Edit on the security window I've looked at any can find no other,.

Dave
MacBook Pro 2012 OS 10.12.5
iPod Touch MD717C/A iOS 9.3.5

 

[chas_m]

You do not need app-specific passwords UNLESS you've opted NOT to use two-factor authentication.

As you've discovered, it's waaaay easier to use two-factor authentication. You verify once, and then all things Apple/iCloud related work as they should.

To turn on two-factor (it's important to have a second device, as you do with your iPod Touch, for this to work), you simply visit (using a web browser on a Mac or PC) the website appleid.apple.com, sign in, then scroll down a bit to "Security." There you will see the edit button, and the option to turn on two-factor authentication.

 

[DaveS]

I was confused about what app-specific password actually meant. I thought it meant I needed a new password for my .me mail account, which I apparently do, but I don't know why. Whatever the reason, it quit working on the changeover date. Is there a way to reactivate it without having to phone Apple? And why does an iCloud mail acct. now appear on my iPod. I has the same mail as the .me acct., so it seems silly to have both.

Dave
MacBook Pro 2012 OS 10.12.5
iPod Touch MD717C/A iOS 9.3.5

 

[DaveS]

It would appear that one does need to generate an app-specific password while having 2FA enabled. Following a post on Macintouch I was able to get the me.com mail working again on my iPod. Apple used to be so simple.

 

[chas_m]

It would appear that one does need to generate an app-specific password while having 2FA enabled. Following a post on Macintouch I was able to get the me.com mail working again on my iPod. Apple used to be so simple.

I can assure you this is NOT the case. I have 2FA enabled, but do not have any app-specific passwords. You probably inadvertently set one up, or perhaps you are confusing your email login password(s) with an "app-specific password," which is not the same thing.

If you inadvertently set up an app-specific password for Mail, you can remove it following these instructions:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204397