iOS 16.3 requires 2FA to enable iCloud backup and iCloud Drive ?

[GBstoic]

I have updated an iPhone and two iPad Pros to 16.3. Now, although I can manually do an iCloud backup (via a convoluted method) and apps appear to be still syncing via iCloud Drive the relevant switches are now permanently set to Off in Settings>Apple ID>iCloud.

Attempts to activate them on any of my 16.3 devices results in a “An unknown error occurred. Please try again later.” My devices on iOS 15 are still working fine.

This article At IPhonetricks suggests it is a deliberate change by Apple and I am worried they are right. During the beta cycle my devices asked me daily to logon on, suggesting that some facilities would not work until I had. Once I had then I was being pushed towards 2FA which I always declined.

 

[Paddle1]

I had to enable 2FA for Messages in iCloud. It's very clear they want you to have it on.

 

[misterpip]

I have updated an iPhone and two iPad Pros to 16.3. Now, although I can manually do an iCloud backup (via a convoluted method) and apps appear to be still syncing via iCloud Drive the relevant switches are now permanently set to Off in Settings>Apple ID>iCloud.

Attempts to activate them on any of my 16.3 devices results in a “An unknown error occurred. Please try again later.” My devices on iOS 15 are still working fine.

This article At IPhonetricks suggests it is a deliberate change by Apple and I am worried they are right. During the beta cycle my devices asked me daily to logon on, suggesting that some facilities would not work until I had. Once I had then I was being pushed towards 2FA which I always declined.

I'm having the exact same problem, but 2FA was enabled many months ago. Have tried signing in and out of iCloud, and rebooting iOS devices (phone and iPad). Most of the iCloud settings still say 'off'. Did you end up enabling 2FA, or are you still seeing the same problem?

 

[GBstoic]

No I have not enabled 2FA. I am waiting to see what happens. iCloud Drive is still working despite my devices saying it is set to Off. Also I can still invoke manual backups to iCloud. So I am waiting to see whether Apple intended this or will sort it on the server side.

 

[GBstoic]

Two of my iOS 16.3 devices automatically backed up to iCloud when being charged today. This is despite the back up to iCloud option being turned off and me being unable to turn it on. Not sure that 2FA is the problem after all.

 

[LuizH]

I have updated an iPhone and two iPad Pros to 16.3. Now, although I can manually do an iCloud backup (via a convoluted method) and apps appear to be still syncing via iCloud Drive the relevant switches are now permanently set to Off in Settings>Apple ID>iCloud.

Attempts to activate them on any of my 16.3 devices results in a “An unknown error occurred. Please try again later.” My devices on iOS 15 are still working fine.

This article At IPhonetricks suggests it is a deliberate change by Apple and I am worried they are right. During the beta cycle my devices asked me daily to logon on, suggesting that some facilities would not work until I had. Once I had then I was being pushed towards 2FA which I always declined.

Hi GBatoic,

I have exactly the same problem. I updated to IOS 16.3 yesterday. And I do not have 2FA activated. Very strange. Tried to reboot all devices, but it did not work.

 

[Pdy6]

While looking under Apple ID setting, iPhone shows iCloud Backup as off and generates an error message of "An unknown error occurred.Please try again later" when I try to turn it on. However, when I scroll down to the list of my devices at bottom of Apple ID and select John's iPhone, it shows iCloud Backup is on and I can backup now if I so desire. Appears iCloud backup is still working in spite of revelant switches set to "off'.

 

[GBstoic]

While looking under Apple ID setting, iPhone shows iCloud Backup as off and generates an error message of "An unknown error occurred.Please try again later" when I try to turn it on. However, when I scroll down to the list of my devices at bottom of Apple ID and select John's iPhone, it shows iCloud Backup is on and I can backup now if I so desire. Appears iCloud backup is still working in spite of revelant switches set to "off'.

Yes. I have said elsewhere - “
I am not convinced that the problem is caused by not having 2FA. Three of my devices are on 16.3 and all show this problem. iCloud backup is shown as being off and can’t be turned on. iCloud Drive is also shown as off.

However all three devices are still automatically backing up to iCloud when connected to power and iCloud Drive data remains in sync.
”

Also I can still kick off a manual back up, although it’s a bit more complicated now. I have to do Settings>iCloud>device name>enter iCloud password>answer security questions>iCloud backup>backup now.

Looks to be 16.3 related rather than 2FA itself. Having no problems with my older devices that are on iOS 15 or on my MacBook Pro.

 

[GBstoic]

All is resolved by 16.3.1

 

[mlody]

Is there a reason why you are avoiding 2FA? With the numbers of frauds and hacks happening daily, it seems counter intuitive to leave out additional security measures which could further protect your accounts and data and keep the bad actors away.