How to turn on two-factor authentication for Discord
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Short answer
Where the setting is
On Discord, on a phone, the setting is under your avatar: the cogwheel, then Account, then Enable Authenticator App.
Discord’s help article says: “Using an Authenticator App (also called a Time-based One-time Password or TOTP) is another great way to secure your account by providing a one-time code alongside your password”.
The steps below are the ones Discord gives for the mobile app. The article also has steps for the desktop and browser app, which this guide does not cover.
Tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner and then tap on the cogwheel in the top-right corner.
Press on Account and then select Enable Authenticator App.
To begin this authentication process, you’ll need to download an authenticator app on your mobile device.
Follow the instructions in the Discord app to copy your secret key into your authenticator app so it can generate your one-time codes. You’ll be asked to enter one of those codes generated by the authenticator app to ensure it’s working properly.
You can now link your phone number to your Discord account to help act as a backup method for obtaining these authentication codes. Discord says this can help you be less worried about losing access to your authenticator app, but reduces how secure your account is.
After enabling an authenticator app, the Discord app will also have a list of backup codes for login: each of these can be used once instead of a code generated by your authenticator app, in case you lose access to it. Make sure to download and store these backup codes in a safe, easily accessible place! If you lose these, Discord can’t help you get back into your account.
In step 3, Discord’s article names two specific apps. This guide does not repeat them: any authenticator app that makes standard 6-digit codes works the same way. After you turn it on, Discord says you’ll see an extra prompt when you log in: enter a code from your app or from your list of backup codes, then select Confirm.
Backup
Save your backup codes
Discord shows your list of backup codes in step 6, and says: “If you lose these, Discord can’t help you get back into your account.” Keep them somewhere apart from your phone. If you ever lose the phone, see our guide on what to do if you lose your phone.
