Whenever you sign in to your Apple on iTunes, that device you signed into will automatically be added as a trusted device. If you’re using an iPhone, you can see the list of all your trusted devices by going to the Settings app and tapping on your Apple ID at the very top. You will see a list of all your current trusted devices on the Apple ID screen. If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication these are the devices you can log into without you having to verify your account with any verification code. The only thing you cannot do is to receive a verification code on these said devices. For you to get Apple verification code on a device there is a small undocumented step you need to do; enabling Find my Phone/Mac.
Apple Verification Code On A Device
Once you enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID, it automatically sets the device you enabled it on as the trusted device that all the future verification codes will be delivered to. For most of the users, this is their iPhone but that doesn’t mean you can not get the Apple verification code on a Mac.
If you want to get the Apple verification code on any device, ensure that;
- It is running iOS 9 and above or OS X EI Capitan
- iCloud must be enabled on the said device
- Find my Phone/Mac is also enabled
- If you’re using a Mac, you must be connected to the internet via a Wireless network for Find My Mac to work properly
For a Mac, You must also be signed into iCloud via the System Preferences. If you’re signed into the Mac App Store app or even iTunes that only won’t be enough.
This also applies to iPhones as well. The iPhone which you want to get the Apple verification code on must also have your account signed in via the Settings app. It must be the very account that Find My Phone is linked to. But if you are only signed into iMessage or the App Store, that isn’t enough.
SMS Code
In the event that you do not receive the verification code that is needed to sign into a device, you alternatively opt to have the code sent to you via SMS. This particular option is a phone-only option though. The message will be sent as an SMS over your carrier’s network provider and not iMessages. The SMS code option does not have an iMessage option.
What this actually means is that this particular process of getting the verification code is only limited to an iPhone. To that effect, you must not remove your iPhone from the list of trusted devices that you can use to receive the verification code on. If you’re in a hurry and you really want to get the code via SMS, you will need to add your iPhone as a trusted device and this will require a verification code to complete the process.
