The security of our accounts is paramount. One of the most effective ways to protect our personal information is through two-factor authentication, a method offered by our Apple ID. However, this method requires that we keep our trusted phone numbers up to date. Let's see how to do it.
Why Apple ID trusted numbers are so important
Two-factor authentication is a process that adds an extra layer of security to our accounts. When we enable this feature on our Apple ID, we ensure that only we can access the account, even if someone else knows our password.
Each time we log in on a new device, in addition to entering our email address and password, we are asked for a security code. This code is automatically generated on our trusted devices. This is where the importance of always keeping our trusted phone numbers updated lies, especially in situations where access to our usual devices is limited, such as during travels or when our battery is dead.
If we don't have our trusted devices at hand, Apple offers us the option to receive the access code via SMS. Therefore, keeping the list of numbers where we can receive these messages updated is crucial.
How to update and manage our Apple ID trusted phone numbers
Managing and updating these phone numbers is really easy. The steps to do so are as follows:
- Open the Settings app on our iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- At the top, tap on our name.
- Go to "Sign in & Security."
- In the top list, we can tap "Edit" and then "Add an email or a phone number" to add a new one or tap the "-" button to remove it. On a Mac, this is done with the "+" and "-" buttons at the bottom of the list.
It's essential that we remove any numbers we no longer use. We can also consider including a family member's or a trusted person's number, especially if we are traveling, as it will offer us a double guarantee of being able to receive the code, if needed.
Security is an aspect we should never overlook, and two-factor authentication on our Apple ID is a fundamental pillar of this security. Regularly updating trusted phone numbers ensures that we always have access to our account, regardless of the circumstances. As we have just seen, this is really simple.
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