Why use a QR code to log on?

[Howard Brazee]

Every couple of weeks, when I go to icloud.com on my Mac, it has me log in again. I have two choices:
1. I can enter my ID and password, and then get a 2-factor code displaying on my Mac, which I copy to my browser (also on my Mac), and then say I trust my computer. (If it's displayed on my Mac, it already must trust it!!!)
2. I can display a QR code, get out my phone, and scan it.

Both of these are a lot of work. But is there a reason that Apple decided to offer the QR scan? If you're browsing on your phone, do you need two phones to scan it?

I don't "get" it.

 

[IWT]

This what Apple says about why and how to scan a QR Code.

Scan a QR code - Apple Support

Learn how to use the camera on your iPhone to scan a QR code.

support.apple.com

What puzzles me a little is that you imply that Apple requires this from you when logging into iCloud. Did you previously agree to this method? As far as I know, it's not compulsory.

Ian

 

[Howard Brazee]

It gives me a choice between the two ways I mentioned above. One way involves entering a password and getting a code sent to my Mac so I can type it in, and the other getting out my phone and scanning a QR code. Neither one makes sense to me. Both are clumsy.

 

[IWT]

Both are clumsy.

I can't recall if your Mac is a MacBook or iMac. You can't scan a QR Code on a MacBook unless you download one of the several QR scanner apps within the Apple Store. I counted at least 10.

Reference: use macbook to scan a QR code - Apple Community

Ian

 

[Howard Brazee]

I have an iMac. When I got that code, I pull out my iPhone and scan that QR code. I waited until icloud.com forgot I was logged in again to see if the 2nd time would be less clumsy. No, I would have to start again.

Apple must think this might be preferable in some way, but that way is not at all obvious to me.

 

[Rod]

So, just to clarify, you are logging into icloud.com with your Apple ID (user name an password) in a web browser on an iMac right?
In my case (as above) I receive a message on the Mac and my other "trusted" devices that someone is attempting to login to my Apple ID from a certain location. I can approve this (or not) and receive a code on all of those devices and approve the login from any of those devices by entering that code. Usually I would do this on the machine itself rather than a secondary device, I've never been offered a QR code as an alternative to filling the user name an password but I am offered the option of using a "Passkey" because I have created one.

 

[Howard Brazee]

That is correct. I have to do it every week or two, even though I use the same browser on the same Mac. I figure it's the same logic that makes me have to log onto my iPad and iPhone every week or two instead of using my face ID. What that logic is, I don't know.

Using the QR code is a new option that I've only seen the last month or so.

That site doesn't seem to offer me a chance to use a passkey (and my fingerprint) (maybe if I was on Safari).

 

[Rod]

You can create a passkey for Apple here.

Sign in to an account on your Mac with a passkey

On your Mac, sign in to apps and websites with a passkey instead of a password.

support.apple.com