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How to use two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security for your Twitter account. Instead of only entering a password to log in, you’ll also enter a code or use a security key. This additional step helps make sure that you, and only you, can access your account.

After you enable this feature, you will need your password, along with a secondary login method –– either a code, a login confirmation via an app, or a physical security key to log in to your account. 

View instructions for:

How to verify your login

  1. In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
  2. Tap Account, then tap Security.
  3. Tap Two-factor authentication.
  4. There are two methods to choose from: Text message or Authentication app.

Note: You’ll also see a third option for Security Key. While you can only turn on and use this selection through twitter.com via a computer, you can turn off this method through Twitter for iOS at any time.


To sign up via text message:

  1. Tap the slider next to Text message.
  2. Read the overview instructions, then tap Next. 
  3. Enter your password, then tap Verify.
    Note: If you don’t already have a phone number associated with your account, we’ll prompt you to enter it. Additionally you can choose to deselect the option to allow your existing contacts to find you on Twitter. 
  4. Now we’ll ask you to enter the confirmation code we sent you via text message. Type or paste in the code, You’ll see a confirmation screen with a backup code. We recommend you store a screenshot of the code in case you need it for future use. This will help you access your account if you lose your mobile phone or change your phone number.
  5. Tap Got it when you’re finished with this screen.

Now, when you log in to your account on twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, or mobile.twitter.com, a six-digit code will be text messaged to your phone to use during login.


To sign up via authentication app:

  1. Tap the slider next to Authentication app.
  2. Read the overview instructions, then tap Start.
  3. If prompted, enter your password and tap Verify.
  4. You’ll be prompted to link your authentication app to your Twitter account by scanning a QR code. (If you don’t already have an app installed on your device, you’ll need to download one. You can use any Time-based One Time Password (TOTP) authentication app like Google Authenticator, Authy, Duo Mobile, 1Password, etc.)
  5. After you scan the QR code, tap Next.
  6. Enter the code generated by your authentication app, then tap Verify.
  7. You’ll see a confirmation screen. Tap Got it to finish setup.

Now, through your authentication app, you can view and use codes to log in to your Twitter account. 


If you enrolled in login verification before March 21, 2016:

When you log in to your account on twitter.com or on another device using Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, a push notification may be sent to your phone. Open the push notification to approve the login request. Once you approve, you will be immediately logged in to your account on twitter.com.

You may also receive a login code via SMS text message. You can opt into this by clicking request a code sent to your phone via text message when you log in to your account on twitter.com.

Note: You can also approve or deny your login requests from within the app by tapping Security, then tapping Login Requests. Pull down on the list to refresh for new requests. Requests will appear on this screen even if you did not receive a push notification.

How to turn off two-factor authentication:

  1. In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
  2. Tap Account, then tap Security.
  3. Tap the slider next to your selected two-factor authentication method to turn it off
  4. Tap Turn off two times to confirm your choice.

How to verify your login

  1. In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon  or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have and select Settings and privacy.
  2. Tap Account, then tap Security. 
  3. Tap Two-factor authentication.
  4. There are two methods to choose from: Text message or Authentication app.

Note: You’ll also see a third option for Security Key. While you can only turn on and use this selection through twitter.com via a computer, you can turn off this method through Twitter for iOS at any time.


To sign up via text message:

  1. Tap the checkbox next to Text message.
  2. Read the overview instructions, then tap Next. 
  3. Enter your password, then tap Verify.
    Note: If you don’t already have a phone number associated with your account, we’ll prompt you to enter it. Additionally you can choose to deselect the option to allow your existing contacts to find you on Twitter. 
  4. Now we’ll ask you to enter the confirmation code we sent you via text message. Type or paste in the code, You’ll see a confirmation screen with a backup code. We recommend you store a screenshot of the code in case you need it for future use. This will help you access your account if you lose your mobile phone or change your phone number.
  5. Tap Got it when you’re finished with this screen.

Now, when you log in to your account on twitter.com, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, a six-digit code will be text messaged to your phone to use during login.


To sign up via authentication app:

  1. Tap the checkbox next to Authentication app.
  2. Read the overview instructions, then tap Start.
  3. If prompted, enter your password and tap Verify.
  4. You’ll be prompted to link your authentication app to your Twitter account by scanning a QR code. (If you don’t already have an app installed on your device, you’ll need to download one. You can use any time-based one time password (TOTP) authentication app like Google Authenticator, Authy, Duo Mobile, 1Password, etc.)
  5. After you scan the QR code, tap Next.
  6. Enter the code generated by your authentication app, then tap Verify.
  7. You’ll see a confirmation screen. Tap Got it to finish setup.

Now, through your authentication app, you can view and use codes to log in to your Twitter account. 

If you enrolled in two-factor authentication before March 21, 2016:

When you log in to your account on twitter.com or on another device using Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, a push notification may be sent to your phone. Open the push notification to approve the login request. Once you approve, you will be immediately logged in to your account on twitter.com.

You may also receive a login code via SMS text message. You can opt into this by clicking request a code sent to your phone via text message when you log in to your account on twitter.com.

Note: You can also approve or deny your login requests from within the app by tapping Security, then tapping Login Requests. Pull down on the list to refresh for new requests. Requests will appear on this screen even if you did not receive a push notification.

How to turn off two-factor authentication:

  1. In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
  2. Tap Account, then tap Security.
  3. Tap Two-factor authentication.
  4. Tap the checkbox next to your selected two-factor authentication method to turn it off.
  5. Tap Turn off to confirm your choice.

How to verify your login

  1. In the side menu, click More, then click Settings and privacy.
  2. Click on your Account settings and click Security.
  3. Tap Two-factor authentication.
  4. There are three methods to choose from: Text message, Authentication app, or Security key.


To sign up via text message:

  1. Click the checkbox next to Text message.
  2. Read the overview instructions, then click Next. 
  3. Enter your password, then click Verify.
    Note: If you don’t already have a phone number associated with your account, we’ll prompt you to enter it. Additionally you can choose to deselect the option to allow your existing contacts to find you on Twitter. 
  4. Now we’ll ask you to enter the confirmation code we sent you via text message. Type in the code, You’ll see a confirmation screen with a backup code. We recommend you store a screenshot of the code in case you need it for future use. This will help you access your account if you lose your mobile phone or change your phone number.
  5. Click Got it when you’re finished with this screen.

Now, when you log in to your account on twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, a six-digit code will be text messaged to your phone to use during login.


To sign up via authentication app:

  1. Click the checkbox next to Authentication app.
  2. Read the overview instructions, then click Start.
  3. If prompted, enter your password and click Verify.
  4. You’ll be prompted to link your authentication app to your Twitter account by scanning a QR code.(If you don’t already have an app installed on your device, you’ll need to download one. You can use any time-based one time password (TOTP) authentication app like Google Authenticator, Authy, Duo Mobile, 1Password, etc.)
  5. After you scan the QR code, click Next.
  6. Enter the code generated by your authentication app, then click Verify.
  7. You’ll see a confirmation screen. Click Got it to finish setup.

Now, through your authentication app, you can view and use codes to log in to your Twitter account. 


To sign up via Security key:

  1. To get started, you will first need to turn on either the Text message or Authentication app two-factor authentication method.
  2. Click Security key.
  3. Read the overview, then click Start.
  4. Insert your physical security key to your computer’s USB port and touch it.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setup.

Note: You’ll need to use the latest version of a supported browser like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, or Safari in order to add or log in to your account with a security key.

Now, with your security key, you can log in to your account on twitter.com. 

How to turn off two-factor authentication:

  1. In the side menu, click More, then click Settings and privacy.
  2. Click on your Account settings and click Security.
  3. Click Two-factor authentication.
  4. Uncheck the box next to your selected two-factor authentication method to turn it off.

Temporary passwords

After you enable two-factor authentication for your account via twitter.com, you'll need to use a temporary password to log in to Twitter on other devices or applications that require you to enter your Twitter password; you will not be able to log in using your usual username and password combination. If we detect you will need a temporary password to log in, we will send one via SMS text message to your phone. Alternatively, you can generate your own temporary password. 

How to generate a temporary password on twitter.com

  1. In the side menu, click More, then click Settings and privacy.
  2. Click Account, then click Security.
  3. Click Two-factor authentication.
  4. From the Additional methods section, click Temporary password.

Note: Temporary passwords will expire after one hour. You do not need a temporary password to log in to Twitter for iOS or Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com.

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