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madsci954

macrumors 68030
Oct 14, 2011
2,736
673
Ohio
If you use a number, you get a text message. If you use a device, it's shows as a pop up on screen. If the device is locked with a code, then you have to unlock to view.
 

macduke

macrumors G5
Jun 27, 2007
13,485
20,591
Yeah I did phone and multiple devices just in case. The more you have the less likely you'll lose the ability to reset it—unless you store the handwritten master code in a safety deposit box or something.
 

amro

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 7, 2008
369
34
Ok, thanks for the feedback.

Dropbox give you a choice of either or. It looks like there is no advantage of one over the other.
 

ominx

macrumors 6502
Jun 23, 2010
356
9
Personally, I feel sending the code via SMS isn't all that secure. Unless you turn off "Show Previews" in Messages Options, the code will be displayed on your lock screen even with the phone locked. So if you loose your phone, 2 factor authentication becomes completely useless.
 

amro

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 7, 2008
369
34
Personally, I feel sending the code via SMS isn't all that secure. Unless you turn off "Show Previews" in Messages Options, the code will be displayed on your lock screen even with the phone locked. So if you loose your phone, 2 factor authentication becomes completely useless.

Very good point. Did not think about losing the phone.
 

Dan70

macrumors regular
Aug 4, 2014
236
0
England
Get code via text or app? Any opinion?

I'd always suggest getting a text. It can be slow to come through sometimes if your signal isn't great but some other systems require Google Authenticator which is an absolute pain to get the six digit code from within the app then enter in with enough time to spare.

Get SMS, Two Step is great with it. Incredibly secure.
 

NoBoMac

Moderator
Staff member
Jul 1, 2014
6,303
5,023
As others have mentioned, I've got multiple options setup for Apple 2FA and the recovery key saved and encrypted in various cloud services and password managers.

For other services, using Authy for one-time use key generation: Google, Facebook, Dropbox, and which ever other services come along and supports time tokens. App for iOS devices and Chrome extension/app to desktop access.
 

Rigby

macrumors 603
Aug 5, 2008
6,257
10,215
San Jose, CA
I'd always suggest getting a text. It can be slow to come through sometimes if your signal isn't great but some other systems require Google Authenticator which is an absolute pain to get the six digit code from within the app then enter in with enough time to spare.
Try an alternative code generator. OTP Auth can show the codes in the notification center in iOS 8 via a widget. In the latest release it can even insert the codes directly within Safari via an action extension.

Personally, I much prefer offline code generators because I don't always have good cellular connectivity while traveling, or there are expensive roaming fees for SMS. Unfortunately Apple's 2-factor authentication for iCloud does not support offline codes.
 

ElectronGuru

macrumors 68000
Sep 5, 2013
1,656
490
Oregon, USA

NoBoMac

Moderator
Staff member
Jul 1, 2014
6,303
5,023
Update to this. With continuity in ios8, someone could steal your MB or ipad, have the code sent SMS, which shows up on their new screen

Ummm, doesn't the Mac and iPad have to be on the same wi-fi as the iPhone? So, not really an issue if the thief is still sitting in your home or at the same coffee shop.

And in the case of Apple's 2FA, if you choose to send the code to a trusted device, instead of a phone number, and the device has a passcode, you have to unlock the device first to see the code.
 

LV426

macrumors 68000
Jan 22, 2013
1,920
2,381
Personally, I feel sending the code via SMS isn't all that secure. Unless you turn off "Show Previews" in Messages Options, the code will be displayed on your lock screen even with the phone locked. So if you loose your phone, 2 factor authentication becomes completely useless.

Not really. You would have to lose the device you want to authenticate AND the phone that receives the SMS authentication code. If you're going to do that, you might as well leave your house keys under the door mat while you're at it!

You are given the choice of which device you want to send the message to, at the time when you are being authenticated. If you'd lost your phone, you obviously wouldn't choose to send your authentication code to that device.

Personally, I generally choose iMessage delivery. If you happen to be in an area of poor reception, you might not get an SMS code for some time. But if your iDevice has WiFi available, you'll get the code delivered almost instantaneously.
 
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