iCloud Passwords for Windows now supports 2FA codes and secure notes

Apple iCloud Passwords now supports creating two-factor authentication verification codes for online accounts on the Windows platform.

• iCloud Keychain on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac supports two-factor authentication (2FA) codes starting with iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and macOS Monterey.
• These dynamically generated one-time codes are needed as an extra layer of security when using websites or apps that are secured with two-factor authentication.
• However, until today, you couldn’t generate 2FA codes (nor add or view secure notes) using “Apple’s free iCloud utility”for Windows.

iCloud Passwords now supports 2FA code

2FA code generation appears to have been added to iCloud for Windows in the last couple of weeks, people on Reddit reported. 2FA verification code generation is available in iCloud for Windows version 13.4 or later [ Microsoft Store link ]. In this release, Windows users can also add and view secure notes added to their iCloud Keychain passwords (on iOS this has been supported since iOS 15.4). To find out which version of iCloud for Windows you have, open the app on your PC and look for the software version in the top right corner. The app requires a PC running Windows 10 or later. Read: How to add secret notes to saved passwords

How to generate 2FA codes in iCloud for Windows

What are iCloud passwords?

iCloud Passwords is a two-factor authentication generator included with Apple’s iCloud‌ utility for Windows. iCloud for Windows resides in the Windows taskbar, allowing you to access your iCloud photos, mail, calendar, contacts, and other saved information in Windows. With iCloud passwords, Windows clients can easily find usernames or passwords stored in their iCloud keychain. You can also access the above features through a Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge extension that supports autofilling saved passwords and generating strong passwords on the fly. Unfortunately, the iCloud Passwords feature is not available when using the Mozilla Firefox browser.

Do I need iCloud passwords?

If you work in the Apple ecosystem and use Windows occasionally, then yes. The same goes for heavy Windows users who use Apple platforms from time to time. But if your needs include saving passwords across platforms, you’re probably better off switching to Bitwarden or 1Password. 2FA codes can also be generated in third-party password managers, including LastPass and 1Password, but Apple’s feature is preloaded and available to everyone for free. For more information on all the different features of iCloud for Windows, check out Apple’s guide.

Do I need a password manager?

If you are already using an unofficial solution, we assume that you probably chose it over Apple iCloud Keychain because it is more powerful. For example, 1Password lets you store other secrets, such as program serial numbers. iCloud Keychain is nowhere near as feature-rich as the aforementioned apps, but it does have some important advantages over 1Password and LastPass. As mentioned, iCloud Keychain is free.

And since iCloud Keychain is an integral part of the operating system, this feature is always available on iPhone, iPad and Mac without having to install anything. It’s also more tightly integrated and works better across devices than third-party apps. But if you prefer to use a third-party app like 1Password, be sure to read our article that outlines the main benefits of using 1Password over iCloud Keychain.