Apple Rolls Out Two-Step Authentication for iMessage and FaceTime

The Cupertino company, which had added the optional two-step verification protection for iTunes and iCloud accounts in March 2013, has now rolled out (via The Guardian) the feature for iMessage and FaceTime. While Apple is yet make an official announcement about it, it has updated its support page on the topic to add iMessage and FaceTime.

The two-step authentication or verification security feature adds an extra layer of protection against hackers, and Apple notes "two-step verification is an additional security feature for your Apple ID that's designed to prevent anyone from accessing or using your account, even if they know your password."

On enabling the feature, Apple account holders will apart from their username and password need enter a second second security code to verify their messaging and video chat accounts, and access them.

(Also see: Apple ID Two-Step Verification Now Available in 59 Countries Including India)

For those unaware, users can go to the Password and Security tab to enable the two-step verification. Users will also need to register one or more trusted devices. Following this, a 4-digit verification code is sent via SMS or through the Find my iPhone app, if installed, explains company. For full details and queries, users can visit Apple's support FAQ page. Apart from the security code, when users enable two-step authentication, they will also receive a 14-character Recovery Key that they are recommended to print and keep safely. The Recovery Key can be used to gain access to the Apple ID account if users ever forget their password, or lose access to one of their trusted devices.

In other news, Apple on Thursday announced that "the size limit of an app package submitted through iTunes Connect has increased from 2GB to 4GB," allowing developers to include more media in an app submission and provide a more complete, rich user experience upon installation. The news will certainly be welcomed by mobile game developers, especially those that use high-resolution textures.

In other words, the maximum size of apps that can be made available on the App Store has now been bumped up to 4GB. The company has asked developers to keep in mind that this change does not affect the earlier cellular network delivery size limit of 100MB, and that such apps can only be downloaded via Wi-Fi.