notification circle on system preferences

[toMACsh]

Why does the red circle (w/ "1") show up on the System Preferences icon on the Dock? I've only noticed this in the last couple of days. When I open it, the iCloud pane is showing rather than the "main page" with all the icons. There isn't anything that jumps out at me on that pane that needs my attention. I did just update to 10.12.4 if that matters.

 

[IWT]

I think this relates to notifications and it can be switched off.

I have two articles, the first dealing with this in general and pointing out that you have to change the notification on a per app basis; the second, inter alia, mentions System Preferences if you scroll down.

Might help. Hope so.

http://osxdaily.com/2013/04/29/disable-red-badge-app-icons-mac-os-x/

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6689881?start=0&tstart=0

Ian

 

[chscag]

Why does the red circle (w/ "1") show up on the System Preferences icon on the Dock? I've only noticed this in the last couple of days. When I open it, the iCloud pane is showing rather than the "main page" with all the icons. There isn't anything that jumps out at me on that pane that needs my attention. I did just update to 10.12.4 if that matters.

That's "Nanny Apple" trying to get you to install 2FA (2 Factor Authentication) on your Mac. Open System Preferences, Security and Privacy, and opt out of it. The notification will then go away. I warned everyone of that possibility in the Sierra update thread.

 

[toMACsh]

Sorry, but "opt out of it" doesn't give me enough direction. When I open the pane and unlock to make changes, the choices to download apps become available. Is that what you mean? So should I just check App Store, but not "and identified developers"? I don't see 2FA anywhere in the Security & Privacy pane.

 

[chscag]

Try looking in System Preferences, iCloud. That might be where the notification is coming from. In any event, unless you want 2FA be careful how you respond. Nanny Apple tried to push 2FA on me both from my iPhone setup when I updated to iOS 10.3 and again with Sierra 10.12.4.

 

[toMACsh]

Try looking in System Preferences, iCloud.

Yes, that's where it was. I checked "Not Now" and it disappeared from the iCloud pane, and the notification circle went away. Thanks!

Now, what is bad about 2FA?

 

[chscag]

Nothing bad about 2FA in general, it's just the way Apple implements it. Something goes wrong with your 2FA, you can find yourself locked out of your devices for a considerable length of time. Do a Google search using "Apple 2FA locked me out" and see what you come up with.