How to enable 2FA for your GitHub account

First, download the Authenticator ℠ App on your Apple device. Click the button below or scan the QR code with your iPhone camera.

Get the Authenticator ℠ App

Scan the QR codes from GitHub and generate secure one-time codes.

While signed in to github.com, click your profile photo in the upper-right corner of any page and choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

In the left sidebar under Access, open Password and authentication. Scroll to the Two-factor authentication section and click Enable two-factor authentication.

Select Set up using an app as your authentication method, then click Continue to move on to the QR code.

GitHub now shows a QR code that encodes your secret key on the Set up authenticator app screen. Leave this page open on your computer while you reach for your iPhone. If you can't scan it, click setup key to reveal the code for manual entry.

Open the Authenticator App on your iPhone and tap the + button. Hold your phone up to the screen to scan the QR code shown by GitHub.

After the scan, the Authenticator App automatically picks the GitHub logo and fills in the account name and secret key. Tap Save to add the entry to your app.

Your Authenticator App now generates a six-digit code that refreshes every few seconds. Type the current code into the field on GitHub and click Continue.

GitHub displays a list of recovery codes that let you back into your account if you lose your phone. Click Download to store them somewhere safe, then click I have saved my recovery codes.

Two-factor authentication is now active on your GitHub account, so you'll enter a code from your Authenticator App when signing in. GitHub recommends testing it by signing out and back in.