About Automatic Verification

Learn how Automatic Verification makes signing in to apps and websites more convenient, private, and accessible on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

How Automatic Verification works

Some apps and websites use a CAPTCHA — a randomly generated sequence of letters, numbers, or images that asks you to identify distorted characters or select certain images — to verify that you’re a human and not a robot (or bot) when you sign in. Starting in iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, if you’re already signed in to your Apple Account on your device, Automatic Verification privately authenticates you to participating apps and websites, so that you don't have to complete a CAPTCHA. All you have to do is sign in to the app or site.

Automatic Verification and privacy

Automatic Verification helps protects your privacy when you sign in to an app or website. Instead of being asked to complete a CAPTCHA:

  • An Apple server validates your device and Apple Account.

  • This verification is sent to a third-party token issuance server, which has been verified by Apple. The token issuance server generates a private access token that verifies you to the app or website.

Apple never learns which app or website that you're signing in to, and can't access your browsing history. The token issuance server knows only that you passed the verification, and never learns information about your device or Apple Account. The only information given to the app or website is the private access token.

Automatic Verification settings

Automatic Verification is turned on by default. If you turn off Automatic Verification on one device, it's also turned off automatically on other devices where you're signed in to your Apple Account.

How to adjust Automatic Verification settings on your iPhone or iPad

  1. Go to Settings.

  2. Tap your name.

  3. Tap Sign-In & Security.

  4. Turn Automatic Verification on or off.

How to adjust Automatic Verification settings on your Mac

  1. Choose the Apple menu  > System Settings.

  2. Click your name.

  3. Click Sign-In & Security.

  4. Turn Automatic Verification on or off.

If you still get CAPTCHAs

  • Make sure that you're signed in to your Apple Account on your device. Open Settings (or System Settings on Mac) and check that you see your name.

  • Make sure that you update your device to the latest software version.

  • If you get a CAPTCHA when signing in to an app or website, that app or website might not support Automatic Verification.

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