How to use login verification
Login verification 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 which is sent to your mobile phone. This verification helps make sure that you, and only you, can access your account.
After you enable this feature, you will need both your password and your mobile phone, or a security key (via twitter.com) to log in to your account. When you log in to twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, you will receive a six-digit login code to enter. By default, this will be sent via SMS text message, or you can use a third party app or a security key for verification.
Note: In order to set up login verification, you need to have a phone number associated with your Twitter account. This requirement is in place for account recovery. If you manage multiple accounts that use the same phone number, it is possible to use login verification for each account. For added security, we recommend enabling login verification for all of your accounts.
To set up login verification on twitter.com:
- In the top menu, click your profile icon, then click Settings and privacy.
- Click on your Account settings and click Set up login verification.
- Read the overview instructions, then click Start.
- Enter your password and click Verify.
- Click Send code to add your phone number.
Note
: If you already have a phone number associated with your Twitter account, we will send you an SMS to confirm your number. - Enter the verification code sent to your device, then click Submit.
- Click Get Backup Code to view a code, generated by Twitter. 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.
Now, when you log in to your account on twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, a six-digit login code will be sent via text message to your phone. Enter the code when prompted to access your account.
To choose between login verification type on twitter.com:
You can choose to use a separate third-party app or security key to generate a login code.
- In the top menu, click your profile icon, then click Settings and privacy.
- Click Account, then click Security.
- The Text message option will be on by default. Click Edit to no longer receive codes via text message. If the Mobile security app or Security key selection is currently disabled, you’ll be prompted to enable it.
To set up using a separate third-party app for verification on twitter.com:
You can use a third-party authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, Duo Mobile, Authy, or similar, installed on your mobile device.
- In the top menu, click your profile icon, then click Settings and privacy.
- Click on the Account tab.
- Under Security and next to Login verification, click the Review your login verification methods button to get started.
- Enter your password and click Confirm.
- From the selections, click Set up next to Mobile security app.
- Read the instructions and then click Start.
- If you’re asked to verify your password, enter it and click Verify.
- You will see a pop-up window displaying a QR code. Follow the instructions listed.
- To set up the third-party authenticator app, you will need to scan the QR code. You will then see a 6-digit numeric security code.
- Enter this code in the Security code text field in the pop-up window.
- Click Done.
Important: You must also have either the Text message or Mobile security appoptions enabled for login verification.
Note: If you are currently logged in to Twitter on the web or on your mobile device (including any applications), you will not be logged out of any existing sessions once login verification is enabled. If you do choose to log out of a third party application associated with your Twitter account, you will need to log back in using a temporary password.
Temporary passwords
After you enable login verification for your account on the web, 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. For example, if you enabled login verification in your account settings on the web, and need to login to the Twitter for Mac app, you will need to use a temporary password to do so.
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.
- Click on the Account tab of your account settings on twitter.com.
- Click the Generate app password button.
- Enter your current account password and click Submit again.
- You can click on the temporary password and this will automatically copy it for you.
- When prompted to log in to your other device or application, enter your username and use the temporary password that you were provided.
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.
