1. To download an authenticator app, open the app store on your phone.
  2. Search for “Twilio Authy”.
  3. Note that there will be ads as the first search result; scroll down to the actual Twilio Authy app, with the name & logo pictured here. The app is free. Download/install the app.

Apple App Store

Apple App Store

Google Play Store

Google Play Store

  1. Once the app is downloaded, open it and follow the registration prompts. First, you’ll have to enter your phone number:

    InstallSetUpAuthy2.2.png

    After you enter your phone number, an email field will appear. Enter your email there.

  2. Choose to verify your phone number via a phone call or text. You will get either a call or text with a code; enter that code in the Authy app.

    What an Authy authenticator code text will look like

    What an Authy authenticator code text will look like

  3. If prompted to allow notifications, click allow.

    InstallSetUpAuthy2.8.png

  4. Now, set up a backup password so that you can recover your Authy account on another device (for example, if you get a new phone).

    1. Open the app and click on the gear icon.

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    2. Clicking the gear icon opens a settings page. Click the “Accounts” option at the bottom of the screen.

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    3. Toggle Authenticator Backups on.

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    4. Create a password for your authenticator backups. Write this password down for now; once you finish setting up your password manager, you can store it there.

      pcc810_n007.png

    5. You’ll be prompted to enter your password again to confirm it.

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  5. Now that you’ve got backups turned on, you’re ready to add your first app to Authy!

  6. Head back to the Authy home page, and you’ll see a message with a plus sign icon encouraging you to add your first account.

    pcc810_n004.png

  7. Click the plus sign, which will open an “Add Account” page.

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  8. At this point, you can set your phone down, and direct your attention back to your laptop where you are working on setting up 2FA. The 2FA setup flow will at some point display a QR code. Make sure you’re at that point, with a QR code displayed on your laptop’s screen.

  9. Pick up your phone again, and click the blue “Scan QR Code” button. This will open up the camera on your phone.

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  10. In your authenticator app, you will now see an icon for the app you are configuring 2FA for, and a 6 digit code that refreshes every 30 seconds. On your laptop screen, you will see a place to enter a code. Type a code from the app into the box displayed on the screen (see example below). Click “Confirm”.

    Note that the codes will change every 30 seconds, so you only have 30 seconds to enter each code before it will become invalid.

  11. You’ve now successfully used your authenticator app to set up 2FA for an account!!!