Upcoming changes to OS X will soon make setting up Google accounts that use 2-step verification with the Mac much simpler. Added in the developer beta of OS X 10.10.3 released yesterday, setting up a Google account in the Internet Accounts section of the System Preferences app now supports 2-step verification just like the web.
Prior versions of OS X including the public version available now currently require using an app specific password to set up a Google account with OS X.
The new process is much simpler as it simply requires submitting a code sent over text message or Google Authenticator rather than having to go through multiple steps to authorize OS X as an app. The change impacts setting up Google services like Gmail with the system and using apps like Calendar, Contacts, Messages, and Notes.
Support for logging in with a Google account on iOS still requires an app specific password. (Update: iOS 8.3 changes this to align with OS X 10.10.3.)
The first beta release of OS X 10.10.3 for developers was released yesterday including the all-new Photos app which replaces iPhoto as well as changes to the Emoji character picker and place holders for future characters. The software update to OS X Yosemite is expected to ship to everyone later this spring.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Good news. A welcome change.
Reblogged this on pundit from another planet.
This is great news. I have nothing but problems with the current app password system. Mail seems to forget the settings every day and even when I revoke and create a new password, the Internet Accounts system panel doesn’t accept the new password. So many of these apps have made a mess of 2FA.
And there is problems already – https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6984508
How can you log into a University email account if it goes through gmail?
Everytime I wake my machine I get this notification “GOOGLE PASSWORD REQUIRED. Enter your password for xxx@gmail.com“. I then go to Internet accounts in system prefs, type in the regular password, it texts me a verification number and it works. But THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I WAKE THE MACHINE! I can’t find anyone else who’s having the problem. Pretty bothersome.
I’m having the exact same problem. Ironically when I just press ‘Close’ instead of retyping my password I can still fetch and send mail… but this is VERY annoying!