How to turn off two-factor authentication

You miss the point. It is not a problem for me to get to Apple support, the problem is that I cannot receive the codes they want to send me, so I am stopped right there. And, by the way, I had to have the TFA to create this reply. I have not used Apple Pay just yet, but my guess is that I will need to receive a code to pay for anything.

Re: “… the problem is that I cannot receive the codes they want to send me …”

So … you are not going to have any data communications on any of your trusted devices while travelling? (That’s what you need to receive Apple’s 2FA codes)

I also still don’t understand why you apparently are needing the codes so often … THAT’s the underlying issue which is causing you such angst.

It is totally ridiculous that I cannot turn off two-factor identification. I will soon be going to Europe for a vacation. I am not able to receive phone calls or text messages while I am gone. If I need to get into my Apple account, how will I be able to use it?

From the article below. If it has been on longer than 2 weeks, you can't turn it off. 

Can I turn off two-factor authentication after I’ve turned it on?

If you already use two-factor authentication, you can no longer turn it off. Certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security, which is designed to protect your information. If you recently updated your account, however, you can unenroll for a period of two weeks. Just open your enrollment confirmation email and click the link to return to your previous security settings. Keep in mind, this makes your account less secure and means that you can't use features that require a higher level of security.

Apple ID -Two-factor authentication.   *

Your Apple 2FA messages are sent to your trusted devices via secure, iCloud data … they are completely independent of the phone number.

Additionally, you can (should) setup “trusted numbers” (voice or SMS) to be able to selectively receive the codes as “disaster recovery” numbers.

e.g. to regain access to your accounts after a disaster renders ALL of your trusted devices unavailable.

eprotierpotierpotier wrote:

It is totally ridiculous that I cannot turn off two-factor identification. I will soon be going to Europe for a vacation. I am not able to receive phone calls or text messages while I am gone. If I need to get into my Apple account, how will I be able to use it?

Once you've logged into your Apple ID on your iPhone, it's very rare that you ever need to authenticate again. And you never need to do so to make or receive calls and messages. Traveling to other countries has never required interacting with 2FA for me.

eprotierpotierpotier wrote:

You miss the point. It is not a problem for me to get to Apple support, the problem is that I cannot receive the codes they want to send me, so I am stopped right there. And, by the way, I had to have the TFA to create this reply. I have not used Apple Pay just yet, but my guess is that I will need to receive a code to pay for anything.

No, I have not missed the point. Yes, you need 2FA to sign into this forum. But, you don't generally need it to use anything on the phone itself. Other than setting up the phone, I've only ever gotten the 2FA code on my phone to log into something else. I've never needed it for Apple Pay.

Chattanoogan wrote:

Our own fault for “enabling” the OP’s thread to be hijacked. 😕

There’s already the “lengthy” 2FA Rant thread nearby.

Reminds me of the old days when there were a couple of very lengthy threads on "We need Adobe Flash for iOS!!!!". Those were fun.

If 2FA can NOT be turned off. CAN THERE BE AN OPTION? To have the verification to an email address, NOT a phone number?!?? I do not always have a phone available. .I have problems with phones. But I always can get email.

That’s a fair question, but no; without a “Trusted Apple Device,” the only “organic” options are voice or SMS.

Presumably this is related to the fact that if an account is compromised - or if there is a general failure of IP comms - there’s a strong possibility that the e-mail is either compromised or lost as well …

… while SMS/Voice communications are generally carried independently and “out of band.”

As an alternative, you might consider subscribing to a service which can receive SMS and then forward them as eMail.

Google Voice is one such option; there are probably others.

See this thread:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8541280

It been a while I use it

Our own fault for “enabling” the OP’s thread to be hijacked. 😕

There’s already the “lengthy” 2FA Rant thread nearby.

How do I turn off my two way Factor