There are many reasons for chaning our answers to Apple ID security questions. Perhaps your answers need refreshing, your circumstances changed, you suspect your identity’s been compromised, or you plainly just want a fresh set of questions and answers. But even wuth these good intentions, sometimes we forget our answers…especially if its been a long time sice we last needed to know those security answers!
Let’s remember why we need these Apple ID security questions in the first place. These questions AND your correct answers help Apple verify that you are indeed the person requesting access to your account. These questions are there to protect your identity, your Apple account, and all your connected devices, from iPhones to macs, even Apple TVs.
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Reset your security questions from iforgot.apple.com
So, if you are one of us more forgetful iFolk, we have some tips and tricks just for you. If you forgot the answers to your Apple ID security questions, resetting your security questions is fairly painless by using Apple’s site iforgot.apple.com. So, if (or when) you forgot your answers, you first need to verify your identity and then reset your security questions.
To Reset your Apple ID security questions
- Go to iforgot.apple.com
- Enter your Apple ID, then select Continue
- Choose the option to reset your security questions, then select Continue
- Enter your Apple ID password, then select Continue
- Follow the onscreen steps to verify your identity
- Select your new security questions and answers and tap Continue
- There is also an option for you to reset your security info
- Choose “Send reset security info email to (your email).”
- Apple sends you an email explaining how to reset your Apple ID security questions and answers; simply follow the instructions.
- Choose “Send reset security info email to (your email).”
Trouble Remembering Apple ID Security Questions? Or Just Plain Sick & Tired of All These Questions?
If you have trouble remembering your security questions, try setting up two-factor authentication. With two-factor authentication, you don’t need security questions to secure your account or verify your identity. Two-factor authentication is built right in to iOS 10 and 9 and macOS and OS X El Capitan. So think about giving that a test and see if you like it!
So What The Heck is Two-Factor Authentication?
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.
Who can turn on two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication is available to iCloud users with at least one device that’s using iOS 10 or 9 or macOS or OS X El Capitan or later. Apple recommends that you have at least one valid credit card on file in your account. This information helps verify your identity if you forget your password.
Turning on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID
There are two ways to turn on two-factor authentication.
Set up from a new device
If you’re setting up a new device and two-factor authentication, tap Continue and enter a phone number that is used to receive verification codes when signing in on a new device. After you verify this phone number, two-factor authentication will turn on automatically.
Set up from a device you’re already using
- On your mac
- Go to Apple () menu > System Preferences > iCloud > Account Details
- Click Security
- At the bottom of your screen, look for a button that says Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
- Go to Settings > iCloud > tap your Apple ID
- Tap Security
- At the bottom of your screen, look for a button that says Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
If you don’t meet the recommended system requirements on all the devices you use with your Apple ID, or if you don’t have a valid credit card on file, you see a related warning message. Read the message before proceeding and consider updating your devices or adding credit card information to your account so access and account verification is easy.
Two-step verification for Apple ID
If you want to improve the security of your account, but don’t have devices that are updated to iOS 10/9 or macOS/OS X El Capitan, set up two-step verification for your Apple ID. Two-step verification is a security feature for Apple ID that’s designed to prevent anyone else from accessing or using your account, even if they know your password!
But it’s not the same as Two-factor verification. Two-step is the older security method used by people who don’t have Apple devices, are unable or unwilling to update their devices, or are ineligible for two-factor authentication.
So, What’s Two-Step Verification?
You verify your identity with Apple by using one of your devices or another approved method. When you set up two-step verification, you register one or more trusted devices. A trusted device is a device you control that receives a 4-digit verification codes using either SMS or Find My iPhone. When you sign in to manage your Apple ID, sign in to iCloud, or make an iTunes, iBooks, or App Store purchase from a new device, you must first verify your identity by entering both your password and a 4-digit verification code that Apple sends to one of those trusted devices.
It sounds complicated, but it’s not. To set-up, just sign in to your Apple ID account page and follow the instructions on your account page. Using this two-step process means you no longer need to create or remember any security questions. Apple verifies your identity using your password AND the verification codes sent to your trusted devices.
You also get a 14-character Recovery Key to print and store away. That Recovery Key regains access to your account Just in case you lose access to your trusted devices or happen to forget your password.
So go ahead and set up two-step verification now.