Discord 2FA: How to Enable an Authenticator App and Save Backup Codes

To enable Discord 2FA, open User Settings → My Account and choose Enable Authenticator App (in the password and authentication section). Confirm your password, scan the QR code with an authenticator app, enter the 6-digit code and download your backup codes. Discord needs a verified email address first, and SMS can only be added as a backup after the authenticator app is set up.

Why turn on 2FA on Discord

Stolen Discord accounts are used to spam friends and servers with scam links. With two-factor authentication, a stolen password alone isn't enough to sign in. Some servers also require moderators to have 2FA turned on before they can use moderation tools.

Enable an authenticator app on Discord

Discord describes the setup in its two-factor authentication guide. On desktop or in the mobile app:

1. Make sure your email address is verified.
2. Open User Settings (the gear icon, or your profile picture on mobile) → My Account.
3. Choose Enable Authenticator App.
4. Enter your Discord password.
5. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app, or type the key shown under it.
6. Enter the 6-digit code from the app and confirm.
7. Download or write down your backup codes.

On mobile, you can't scan a QR code shown on the same screen; copy the key into your authenticator instead.

Discord backup codes

Each backup code works once, instead of a code from the app. You can view them or generate a new set later under My Account → View Backup Codes (you'll need your password).

This matters more on Discord than on many services: Discord's support team says it can't remove 2FA from an account for you. If you lose your authenticator and have no backup codes, you may lose the account.

Discord 2FA code not working

• Check the clock. Authenticator codes depend on the time. Set your phone's date and time to automatic.
• Use the right entry. If you have several Discord accounts, each has its own code.
• Don't reuse old codes. A code changes every 30 seconds; wait for the next one if the timer is almost out.
• Lost phone? Choose to verify another way on the login screen and enter a backup code, or a code sent by SMS if you added a phone number.

New phone

Move Discord to the new authenticator before resetting the old phone: in My Account, remove the authenticator app (you'll need a current code), then enable it again and scan the new QR code. Our guide on how to move an authenticator to a new phone covers all accounts at once.

Use Ring for Discord

Ring generates Discord codes offline on your iPhone, behind Face ID. Put gaming accounts in their own folder and add a Home Screen widget for quick access. Codes are stored encrypted only on the device, so keep Discord's backup codes somewhere safe too. For the full picture of 2FA setup across services, see our guide to setting up two-factor authentication.

FAQ

Which authenticator app works with Discord?

Any app that supports standard time-based codes (TOTP): Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Ring and others.

Can I use SMS for Discord 2FA?

Only as a backup, after an authenticator app is set up. SMS is less secure than an app because phone numbers can be hijacked.

How do I turn off 2FA on Discord?

In My Account, choose to remove the authenticator app and confirm with a current code or a backup code.