Yesterday we reported that Apple had enabled two-step authentication when logging into iCloud from the web. If users had chosen to enable it, all they’d be able to access is the Find My iPhone feature as the other features will be locked until you enter a generated passcode that will be sent to your trusted device.
Sounds good, right? Well if you were hoping that the security would make its way to other apps that might rely on iCloud, you’re in luck because according to a supporting document (via MacRumors), third-party apps that do not have their own two-step authentication and that can potentially store data in iCloud will soon offer two-step authentication as well, courtesy of Apple.
This is expected to come into effect starting on the 1st of October. Basically how this works is that there are apps out there, such as Microsoft Outlook, that can log into iCloud from within the app. With Apple extending two-step authentication, third-party apps can now benefit from the added layer of security as well.
Of course this is limited to iTunes accounts who have enabled two-step authentication. For those who haven’t, you can head on over to Apple’s website to find out how to do so. In the meantime it really looks like Tim Cook was serious when he promised major security improvements.