How to set up Twitter two-factor authentication

It is highly recommended you enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to secure your Twitter account and prevent anyone from getting access to it. This extra level of protection will ensure any intruder can’t log in to your Twitter account even if they happen to know your password!

2FA requires you to enter your correct password (which is something you know) and then verify using a secondary means of proving your identity with something you have, like a changing code from the authenticator app.

Follow along as we show you how to set up Twitter two-factor authentication without using your phone number.

Twitter two-factor authentication

Before you begin

Download any authenticator app, like Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Twilio Authy, etc. You can also choose not to download any third-party app and rely on your iPhone’s built-in 2FA authenticator.

All methods are explained below.

Set up Twitter’s two-factor authentication using computer

1) Open Twitter in a web browser on your Mac or Windows PC.

2) Click More and select Settings and Support > Settings and privacy.

3) Now, go to Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication.

4) Check the box next to Authentication app, and enter your Twitter password. You will now see a QR code.

Check Authentication app from Twitter security settings

5) Open the authenticator app like Google Authenticator on your phone and tap the plus button > Scan a QR code. If you have decided to use your iPhone’s built-in authenticator, go to Settings > Passwords > search for the added Twitter password and tap it > Set Up Verification Code > Scan QR Code and scan the QR code you see on your computer screen in step 4.

Scan 2FA code using Google Authenticator or iOS Password Manager

6) After scanning the QR code, click Next on your computer screen.

7) Now, enter the six-digit code you see in your authenticator app here on your computer screen and hit Confirm.

Enter confirmation code to finish Twitter two-factor authentication

8) Extremely important: You’ll see a backup code. Copy it and keep it somewhere safe, like a locked note on your iPhone. After that, click Done.

For any reason, if you can’t access your phone or authenticator app, then this backup code will let you log in to Twitter. Note that you’ll permanently lose access to your Twitter account if you can’t get the 2FA codes from the authenticator app and don’t have the backup code to rely on.

Copy Twitter 2FA backup code and save it

Turn on two-factor authentication from the Twitter app

We recommended using a computer as it makes it easy to scan the QR code. However, if you don’t have one, you can still set up Twitter two-factor authentication from your iPhone. The basics are the same. Here’s how:

1) Open the Twitter app, tap your profile picture, and go to Settings and Support > Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication.

2) Enable the switch next to Authentication app and enter your Twitter password.

Enable the Authentication app switch in Twitter app

3) Now, use one of the following:

Use the built-in iOS password manager:

  1. Tap Link app, and it will open the built-in password manager of your iPhone. From here, select your added Twitter password.
  2. Now, copy the verification code you see here and return to the Twitter app. Paste the copied code on Twitter to finish the setup. And remember to save the backup code.
Add Twitter 2FA to iPhone Password Manager
See this image in full screen.

Use third-party authenticator apps:

  1. Tap Link on another device > Can’t scan the QR code. Now copy the long secret key.
  2. Open an authenticator app like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator and tap the plus button (+) here. After that, choose the option to Enter a setup key or Enter code manually. Now paste the copied secret key here and add it.
  3. You’ll now see a six-digit code on your authenticator app screen. Copy it and go back to the Twitter app.
  4. Paste the copied six-digit code into Twitter to finish the setup. Once again, don’t forget to save your backup code.
Set up Twitter 2FA in authenticator app
See this image in full screen.

Other methods to setup Twitter 2FA

On Twitter’s two-factor authentication settings screen, you can choose to set it up using your phone number or a physical security key like Yubikey. The steps are easy and similar to what you read above.

Turn off Twitter’s two-factor authentication

We recommend not doing this. But if you must, then go to Twitter settings > Security and account access > Security > Two-factor authentication. From here, uncheck the box next to ‘Authentication app.’

Check out next: