Apple ID question

Morbier

DoaM said:

You're right - you haven't got it.
If someone nicks your iPhone and/or iPad then their first challenge is to bypass the lockscreen. IF they manage that then yes - they potentially have access to an authenticated device. By the same token, if you knew those devices were stolen/lost then you would log them out of your Apple account (via another device/PC) and so they wouldn't be able to access your account.

I get that (and I'm glad I got that bit right!). So that still leaves me with the question "what extra protection do I get from 2FA?"

Sorry if this is hard work for you but your attempts are much appreciated!

JustAnotherSaver

Put it this way - 

I had 2FA on my iPhone. 

I frequently had people from Asian countries trying to access my account. Maybe they knew my password, maybe they didn't. It didn't matter because I had 2FA on and without my phone they couldn't access it. I would get a pop up basically saying is this you. I tap no its not and that's it for them. No access. 

Had I not had 2FA turned on and they knew my password, they could've done god knows what with my account. 

You're better off with it turned on but if that doesn't float your boat then leave it turned off. Your choice. 

Morbier

JustAnotherSaver said:

Put it this way - 

I had 2FA on my iPhone. 

I frequently had people from Asian countries trying to access my account. Maybe they knew my password, maybe they didn't. It didn't matter because I had 2FA on and without my phone they couldn't access it. I would get a pop up basically saying is this you. I tap no its not and that's it for them. No access. 

Had I not had 2FA turned on and they knew my password, they could've done god knows what with my account. 

You're better off with it turned on but if that doesn't float your boat then leave it turned off. Your choice. 

Thank you, I think I've got it now. Never had anyone else try to access my account so I hadn't considered that scenario.

I have got it turned on - I knew it was an extra safety precaution, I just didn't totally understand why. 

Thanks all, for your patience and help.