Where to find your authenticator setup key

An authenticator setup key is the text alternative to the QR code shown when you enable authenticator-based two-factor authentication.

Look beside the QR code

Open the account’s security settings and choose its authenticator or two-step verification setup. Near the QR, look for wording such as “Enter manually”, “Setup key” or “Can’t scan?”. Labels differ between services. Copy the full key rather than the temporary confirmation code.

Load a key in 2FAOrbit

1. Open the TOTP authenticator and replace the public example with your setup key.
2. If your service specifies different code settings, match them in Advanced settings.
3. Copy the live code and enter it in the service’s confirmation screen to finish setup.

Have a QR image instead?

Use Upload QR image on the authenticator, or open the QR reader. A standard TOTP QR contains a setup link with the key and related settings. A QR is another representation of that setup information, rather than a separate login method.

What is in an otpauth link?

A standard link begins with otpauth://totp/. It can include the secret, service name, account label, algorithm, digits and period. Our link inspector makes those fields easier to read and masks the secret in its output.

If setup is already complete

The service may no longer show the original key. Check its supported authenticator transfer or recovery options. 2FAOrbit cannot derive a missing setup key from a temporary code or reset another service’s two-factor settings.

Format reference: Google Authenticator key URI format.