Will turning on two-factor auth require me to know the security question answers? (because I dont)

apple-idpasswordSecuritytwo-factor-authentication

Current status, signed in on several devices to iCloud services etc.

I was prompted about using two factor auth and thought it a good idea. I also want to change the email address it uses so I used the https://appleid.apple.com site via a browser in my laptop to sign in and sort out both but it asked me to answer the security questions I set up 15 or so years ago.

Knowing me the name of my best friend at school will either be something like My cat (I should've tried that), Lord Vader, or e1e7ec2204d600993d9c18a1ec675504.

Now the password settings via my phone are asking the questions.

I know I can ring Apple to try and reset it. What I want to know in the meantime (because I'm lazy so I won't get round to doing it soon) is:

  • Will I be automatically logged out sooner or later because I failed the questions?
  • Can I set up two factor auth without needing to answer the questions?
  • If I can, will the questions stop being asked? That would be a convenient way to solve the problem 🙂

So, in short, should I press the "Turn on" 2FA button in my phone just yet?

Best Answer

Turning on may require your security questions.

You might be asked to answer your Apple ID security questions.

https://support.apple.com/HT204915

Once 2FA is activated, your security questions are deleted.

Do I still need to remember any security questions?

No. With two-factor authentication, you don't need to remember any security questions. We verify your identity exclusively using your password and verification codes sent to your trusted devices and phone numbers. When you enroll in two-factor authentication, we keep your old security questions on file for two weeks in case you need to return your account to its previous security settings. After that, they're deleted.

https://support.apple.com/HT204915

Therefore, I suggest you attempt to set it up, since the use of ‘may’ in the first quote means there is potential that the security questions are not asked for, and it you are successful in setting up 2FA your security questions are removed. However, this is on the condition you have a trusted device to receive the authentication prompt, which requires you to be logged in to your Apple ID on the device.

Related Question