---
title: "Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication"
description: "Adding an extra layer of security for your HelpDocs account gives you peace of mind if your password becomes compromised."
url: "https://support.helpdocs.io/article/37t2gacwuw-setting-up-2fa"
category: "Authentication"
updated_at: "2026-09-06T19:06:54Z"
---

# Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication

Adding an extra layer of security for your HelpDocs account gives you peace of mind if your password becomes compromised. By enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) with a time-based one-time password (TOTP) you'll be able to make sure your Knowledge Base stays secure.

Once added your Authentication App will generate a new TOTP every 30 seconds that can be entered after logging in with your email and password.

### Download an Authentication App

To start with you'll want to download an Authentication App capable of generating a time-based one-time password (TOTP). Here's just a few we recommend:

- [1Password](https://support.1password.com/one-time-passwords/)
- [Authy](https://authy.com)
- [Microsoft Authenticator](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/mobile-authenticator-app)
- [Google Authenticator](https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid)

### Set Up Authentication in Your Profile

1. Head to your **Profile** by clicking your name, then **Profile** (or click [here](https://my.helpdocs.io/app/profile))
   
   ![Profile dropdown](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/37t2gacwuw/1788718130511/profile-dropdown-2.png)
2. Scroll to **Authentication** and click **Set up authentication App**
3. Add HelpDocs to your Authentication App by either:
   
   1. **Scanning the QR Code** using your Authentication App
   2. **Copying the text code** and pasting it into your Authentication App
4. Enter the current code into the text field provided and press **Verify**  
   ![A text field with 000000 typed in and a verify button next to it](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/37t2gacwuw/1655119285660/screenshot-2022-06-13-at-12-21-15.png)
5. You'll be prompted to save your backup codes which allow you to recover your account in case you lose access to your TOTP. You can go ahead and download these as a .txt file
   
   You won't be shown these backup codes once you navigate away. We highly recommend saving these in a safe place 🔐
6. Next time you log in you'll be prompted to enter your TOTP 💖

### Removing Two-Factor Authentication

![](https://files.helpdocs.io/Ytt2uahFxY/articles/37t2gacwuw/1682083780386/image.png)

1. Head to **Profile**
2. Scroll down to **Authentication**
3. Click **Disable Authentication app**
4. Enter the current code your app is displaying or one of your backup codes
5. Click **Disable Authentication app**
6. You're done and your 2FA has been removed