Two-Factor Authentication

In an effort to keep your account more secure, two-factor authentication is required for developer program Account Holders to sign in to their Apple Developer account and Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles. Two-factor authentication or two-step verification is required for all users to sign in to App Store Connect. This extra layer of security for your Apple ID helps ensure that you’re the only person who can access your account.

About two-factor authentication

What is it?

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security for your Apple ID designed to ensure that you’re the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password. It protects your account by requiring a password and access to either a trusted device or verification code delivered via SMS or phone call. Requiring more than just your password to access your account improves the security of your Apple ID and all personal information you store with Apple.

Who is required to enable it?

Only developers with the Account Holder role (formerly the “Team Agent”) in the Apple Developer Program, Apple Developer Enterprise Program, or iOS Developer University Program need to enable two-factor authentication. Developers who are registered for a free account or who have other team roles are not required to enable two-factor authentication.

Why is it required?

As the primary representative for their development team, the Account Holder is responsible for the membership and has full access to all related tools, resources, and benefits. Two-factor authentication provides an additional level of security for these accounts.

Will I need to enter a verification code every time I sign in to my Apple Developer account?

Once two-factor authentication is enabled, you’ll need to enter a verification code every time you sign in, unless you choose to trust the browser, in which case you won’t be asked for a verification code again from that computer for 30 days. You may be asked to reverify if you reset or change browsers.

What is a trusted device and a trusted phone number?

A trusted device is an iOS device, iPadOS device, or a Mac on which you’ve signed in with your developer Apple ID using two-factor authentication. It’s a device we know is yours and can be used to verify your identity by displaying a verification code from Apple when you sign in.

A trusted phone number can be used to receive verification codes by text message or automated phone call. You must verify at least one trusted phone number to enroll in two-factor authentication. This can be any type of phone number you use.

How is two-factor authentication different than two-step verification?

Two-factor authentication is built directly into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, and Apple websites. It supports several methods to trust devices and deliver verification codes, and offers a more streamlined user experience.

Two-step verification is an older method that uses SMS to deliver verification codes. It’s available to users who don’t have Apple devices, can’t update their devices, or are otherwise ineligible for two-factor authentication.

Enabling two-factor authentication

What are the system requirements?

You can enable two-factor authentication on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 9 and later, or a Mac with OS X El Capitan and later. If you create an Apple ID on the web, two-factor authentication will automatically be enabled on your account regardless of the device or OS you use.

How do I set up two-factor authentication?

You can learn how to set up two-factor authentication for your Apple ID by viewing the support page.

Will I need a trusted device dedicated to my Apple Developer account if I enable two-factor authentication?

No. If you don’t have an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac, you can update your Apple ID or create a new Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled on the web. You'll need to verify both an email address and a phone number to enable two-factor authentication on this Apple ID.

When possible, you should use a trusted device to increase security and streamline the process. You can use the same trusted device for multiple Apple IDs that have two-factor authentication turned on. If you don't have access to your trusted device, you can get your verification code via SMS or phone call.

How can I find out if I already have it enabled?

You can check your security settings by signing into iCloud on a supported device with the Apple ID that you use for your Apple Developer account.

  • On iOS 10.3 or later or iPadOS 13.1 or later
    Go to Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
  • On iOS 10.2 or earlier
    Go to Settings > iCloud. Tap your Apple ID > Password & Security.
  • On OS X El Capitan or later
    Go to the Apple () menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > Password & Security.

If enabled, you'll see: Two-Factor Authentication: On.
If not enabled, you'll see: Two-Factor Authentication: Off and a link to turn on two-factor authentication.

More information

How can I use different Apple IDs for iCloud and my Apple Developer account?

If your personal Apple ID is different from the Apple ID associated with your Apple Developer account, you can configure your device to receive verification codes for both of these Apple IDs.

  • On iOS or iPadOS
    • iOS 14 or later or iPadOS 14 or later
      Add your developer Apple ID to your device at Mail > Accounts > Add Accounts > iCloud.
    • iOS 12–13.7 or iPadOS 13.1–13.7
      Add your developer Apple ID to your device at Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Add Account > iCloud.
  • On macOS
    • OS X El Capitan or later
      Add your developer Apple ID to your Mac at System Preferences > Internet Accounts > iCloud.

If your Apple IDs are not yet enabled for two-factor authentication:

  • On iOS or iPadOS
    • iOS 14 or later or iPadOS 14 or later
      1. Enable two-factor authentication for your personal Apple ID at Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
      2. Sign out of iCloud on your iOS device at Settings > [your name] > Sign Out. Sign in to iCloud on your device with your developer Apple ID.
      3. Enable two-factor authentication for your developer Apple ID at Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
      4. Sign in to iCloud on your iOS device with your personal Apple ID.
      5. Add your developer Apple ID to your device at Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account > iCloud.
    • iOS 10.3 to 13.7 or iPadOS 13.1 to 13.7
      1. Enable two-factor authentication for your personal Apple ID at Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
      2. Sign out of iCloud on your iOS device at Settings > [your name] > Sign Out. Sign in to iCloud on your device with your developer Apple ID.
      3. Enable two-factor authentication for your developer Apple ID at Settings > [your name] > Password & Security.
      4. Sign in to iCloud on your iOS device with your personal Apple ID.
      5. Add your developer Apple ID to your device at Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Add Account > iCloud.
    • iOS 10.2 or earlier

      1. Enable two-factor authentication for your personal Apple ID at Settings > iCloud. Tap your Apple ID > Password & Security.
      2. Sign out of iCloud on your iOS device at Settings > iCloud > Sign Out. Sign in to iCloud on your device with your developer Apple ID.
      3. Enable two-factor authentication for your developer Apple IDs at Settings > iCloud. Tap your Apple ID > Password & Security.
      4. Sign in to iCloud on your iOS device with your personal Apple ID.
      5. Add your developer Apple ID to your device at Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Add Account > iCloud.

  • On macOS
    1. Enable two-factor authentication for your personal Apple ID at System Preferences > Apple ID > Password & Security.
    2. Create a new system account on your Mac for your developer Apple ID at System Preferences > Users & Groups.
    3. Sign in to your new developer system account and enable two-factor authentication for your developer Apple ID at System Preferences > Apple ID > Password & Security.
    4. Sign in to your primary system account and add your developer Apple ID to your Mac at System Preferences > Internet Accounts > iCloud.
    5. Your Mac is now set up to receive verification codes for your personal and developer Apple IDs on your primary user account.

You can also receive verification codes for multiple Apple IDs via text message or phone call to your trusted phone number rather than through iCloud.

What if I’ve enabled two-step verification?

If your Apple ID has two-step verification enabled and two-factor authentication is available in your region, you'll need to update to two-factor authentication for increased security.

Can I have multiple trusted devices associated with one Apple ID?

Yes. You can sign in to multiple devices with your developer Apple ID using two-factor authentication.

Can I have multiple trusted phone numbers associated with one Apple ID?

Yes. You can manage your trusted phone numbers, trusted devices, and other account information on your Apple ID account page. You can also manage your trusted phone numbers in the Apple ID security setting on your trusted devices.

Can I use the same trusted phone number for multiple Apple IDs?

Yes. You can assign the same trusted phone number to multiple Apple IDs that you use.

What if I lose access to my trusted devices and trusted phone number?

You can request account recovery to regain access to your account. Account recovery might take a few days or longer, depending on the specific account information you can provide to verify your identity.

Can I still use a recovery key with my two-factor authentication enabled account?

If you previously enabled two-step verification with a recovery key on your account and you sign in on a device running iOS 11 or macOS High Sierra, your Apple ID is automatically updated to two-factor authentication. After your account is updated, you have the option to generate a new recovery key. This option is only available if you are updating an account from two-step verification to two-factor authentication. Learn how to create a recovery key.

How do I reset or change my password on my two-factor authentication enabled account?

You can learn how to reset or change your password from your trusted device here.

Can I reset or change my password from a non-trusted device?

You can initiate a request for a password reset from a non-trusted device. You'll need to provide both your trusted phone number as well as the passcode associated with your trusted device in order to reset your password.

What if two-factor authentication is not yet available in my region?

If your Apple ID is associated with a region that does not yet support two-factor authentication, you’ll need to enable two-step verification instead.

What if I can’t enable two-factor authentication for some other reason?

If you are unable to enable two-factor authentication for your account, please contact us.