Articles on: Privacy & Data Security

Two factor authentication and iCloud Keychain on macOS and iOS

Those of you accessing WriteUpp using Safari on Apple devices can set up two factor authentication by using the iCloud Keychain, as long as you are using macOS Monterey (or later) or iOS 15 (or later). Instead of using an external authenticator app, you can use the built in verification code generator within your iCloud keychain password manager. It works in just the same way as using a code generated by an external app like Google Authenticator, but is all contained within iCloud. It will offer you an autofill option when logging in to your main WriteUpp site using Safari, rather than manually entering the code.

You can use the iCloud keychain both when setting up 2FA as a site administrator for the first time, and when setting up as a user logging in with 2FA for the first time. Once the set up steps have been completed, you'll be able to log in using the iCloud verification code generator rather than using an external app or requesting a code via SMS.

When setting up 2FA as a site administrator

First of all, make sure that you are using Safari and that your login details are already saved to your iCloud keychain. After logging into WriteUpp, follow the below steps:

Go to Main Menu -> Settings -> Users and click on Configure Two-Factor Authentication

When the screen opens:

On macOS, right click on the QR code and choose Set up Verification Code:

On iOS, tap and hold the QR code and choose Add Verification Code in Passwords:

If you right click on the QR code and you don't see the option to set up a verification code, your version of macOS or iOS doesn't support QR codes and you should continue to use Google Authenticator (or another authenticator app).

Use your Apple verification (FaceID/TouchID/Password etc) to access the list of passwords saved in your keychain

Find your WriteUpp account details when prompted to "Choose an account to add this verification code to"

You'll be taken to the account details as saved in your keychain and see an additional "Verification code" field has been added

Navigate back to Safari and click or tap into the field which says "Enter the 6 digit code here"

Safari should offer you a verification code at the bottom of the window, which will come directly from the information saved in your keychain

If it doesn't, you can navigate to the Passwords on your device, find your WriteUpp details and manually copy the verification code. Bear in mind that it is time sensitive and changes every 30 seconds!

Use your Apple verification (FaceID/TouchID/Password etc) to confirm the use of the code and click or tap on Activate

Enter or confirm your mobile number on the next screen and click or tap on Send SMS

SMS verification is used as a back up method of authentication, which is why you'll be asked to confirm it as part of the setup process

Enter the code received via SMS and click or tap on Verify

You should be taken back to the 2FA screen and see a message confirming that set up was successful and 2FA is active

The next time you log in, on the two factor authentication screen, Safari should match your login details to the verification code saved alongside it and offer it as an autofill option. If it doesn't, you can go to Settings -> Passwords and manually copy the code from the entry containing your WriteUpp details.

When setting up 2FA as a user logging in

First of all, make sure that you are using Safari and that your login details are already saved to your iCloud keychain. After entering your email and password on the WriteUpp login screen, follow the below steps:

On macOS, right click on the QR code and choose Set up Verification Code:

On iOS, tap and hold the QR code and choose Add Verification Code in Passwords:

Use your Apple verification (FaceID/TouchID/Password etc) to access the list of passwords saved in your keychain

Find your WriteUpp account details when prompted to "Choose an account to add this verification code to"

You'll be taken to the account details as saved in your keychain and see an additional "Verification code" field has been added to the saved details

Navigate back to Safari and tap or click into the "Enter the six digit code here" field

Safari should offer you a verification code at the bottom of the window, which will come directly from the information saved in your keychain

Use your Apple verification (FaceID/TouchID/Password etc) to confirm the use of the code

The code will be populated for you

If prompted on the next screen, enter or confirm your mobile number and click or tap on Send SMS. Once the code is received, enter it on screen and click or tap on Verify

If you've previously verified your mobile number, you won't be asked to do this

You'll be logged into WriteUpp and 2FA will be set up for you via your iCloud keychain

Logging into the WriteUpp app

If you use the WriteUpp app and have two factor authentication set up via iCloud, the verification information won't auto-populate in the same way as it will when you are logging in using Safari. When logging into the app and prompted for the 2FA code, please open Settings -> Passwords, find your WriteUpp account details and copy the verification code. Return to the app, where you can paste or enter the copied code and log in

Updated on: 04/07/2024

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