Easy one for ya

[jklingel]

I want to download an app from the Mac store, but can not log in. I clicked on "Change password" and it says it is sending a message "to your Mac" and then I will need to... Great. My Mac is a big place for little messages to hide. Exactly to WHERE is it sending said message? I don't see JS showing up anywhere. Thanks. j

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Check your email, which is likely where the reset password instructions or link would have gone to.

 

[jklingel]

Thanks. That was my first, logical guess, but after an hour I gave up and looked in various places on my Mac; Library...Documents, etc. Since they asked me to verify my phone number, I thought it might hit there; nope. Maybe the pipe is just full and the instructions will arrive soon.... j

 

[chscag]

It sounds like Apple was verifying you via 2FA by sending a code to you. That code could either be by email or probably text message to your phone. What kind of phone do you have?

Also, Apple will sometimes send you email to a second email address if you have one and do not use 2FA.

 

[ferrarr]

It could also be in your "Notifications"?

 

[jklingel]

Thanks for the replies. I have an iPhone. Only one email address. Nothing has arrived by text or email yet. I found "Notifications" on the phone, because it was mentioned here, and turned it on. Also, the App icon on my iPhone has "15" in a red circle, like when you get messages. Maybe when/if I log in something will be there. I have no idea what 2FA is. Nothing in my filtered email box on my ISP server, either. NFI where any message is hiding. I get codes all the time, so that would not be anything w/ which I am not familiar. I will try again and see if a message goes to the phone, but the web pages said "Sent to Mac". Dunno.

 

[ferrarr]

2FA is Two-Factor Authentication. Apple uses it to confirm account ownership. Here is their info on it, Two-factor authentication for Apple ID - Apple Support.

It is hard for us to know what is going on, without all pertinent information and also without seeing what you are seeing.

 

[jklingel]

Thanks again. I use 2FA all the time, but was not familiar with the acronym. I understand perfectly about not having sufficient info to relate. I tried to provide what I thought pertinent, but.... This morning, I went in via my phone, and it worked flawlessly. NFI why it did not work from my iMac, and no message of any kind has arrived anywhere that I am aware of. But, it's a done deal. Cheers. j

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If you don't know what 2FA is, you likely don't have it enabled.

Rather than being vague with your posts, it might help us to provide a great amount of detail of what you are seeing so that we can actually help you.

 

[jklingel]

2FA IS enabled; like I said, I use it all the time but was not familiar with the acronym. "Vague"? It looks to me like I provided all the information that I figured was important. If I had known what all was important (1) I would have gladly provided it, and (2) I probably would not have had to ask the question. Do you think I was asking for help and intentionally NOT providing pertinent information? I mean, whiskey tango fox trot, dude? Please bear in mind that people generally ask questions when they don't know WTH is going on, so being "vague" is almost a given. "Vague" implies intention to withhold info and is a stupid tactic if you want help. Personally, I'd prefer to be called what is the reality of the situation: ignorant.

 

[Slydude]

I don't think anyone is questioning your reason for asking the question or the caliber/quantity of the information you provided. It's merely a recognition of how difficult it can be to figure out what's happening when we're not sitting at your computer seeing the same prompts that you see. Most users, Mac and PC, are more interested in using their computers rather than troubleshooting issues. Consequently, when issues arise many users have difficulty deciding what's relevant information and what isn't.

Having written a number of how-to articles in the past I can tell you that trying to convey this kind of information can be difficult. It's difficult to know exactly how much the person on the other end knows. Because of that we sometimes end up asking questions that might make someone think we're questioning their motives/knowledge.