Want to make your accounts more secure practically without effort, no additional apps and no codes being sent around? Find out here how you can set up and use Safari as a near-universal authenticator app on iPhone and iPad.
First, William Legrand Reads “53‡‡†305))…”
The message, which will be part of a treasure hunt, goes on in just so seemingly jumbled a manner—long enough for Legrand, the most prominent character in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Gold Bug, to count the frequency of each of its characters.
He then famously presents a frequency table for all letters of the English alphabet, starting, of course, with ‘e’. Correlating this list with the one he has created for the secret message, Legrand is able to decipher the hint—and embark on that treasure hunt.
The code and table went on to play a vital role in the history of a board game, of course. For now, though, if you have a treasure to guard, make sure it is protected with a secret code—and two-factor authentication:
How to Use the Built-in 2FA Authenticator App for iPhone (Safari and Settings)
How to Enter a Verification Code Using Safari
To log in to a website using two-factor authentication in Safari for iOS and iPadOS:
- Add the website or account to Safari; see below.
Add on Mac: You can also set up the account in Safari on a Mac. - In the field to enter the 2FA code in Safari, tap the username over Verification code for <domain> above the keyboard.
Authenticate: Verify it’s you with Face ID, Touch ID, passcode, etc.
A different browser: You can use the generated code in a different browser to authenticate; see below.
How to Add an Account to the iPhone Safari 2FA Authenticator App
Time needed: 2 minutes
To add a new account for two-factor authentication to Safari using iPhone or iPad:
- Tap and hold the QR code for setting up 2FA on the website in Safari.
Camera: You can also open the Camera app and point it to the QR code as it appears on a desktop computer, for instance.
No code: If the site offers no QR code but a character sequence instead, you can still set up two-factor authentication; see below. - Select Add Verification Code in Passwords from the context menu that has appeared.
- Now select the account f0r which you want to add two-factor authentication.
Set up Safari as a 2FA Authenticator App without a QR Code
To add a website or account to your built-in iPhone 2FA authenticator app without a QR code to scan:
- Open the Settings app on the iPhone.
- Go to the Passwords section.
- Tap the account for which you want to add two-factor authentication.
No account: If the account is not yet set up in iPhone settings, tap + to add it first. - Select Set Up Verification Code….
- Now pick Enter Setup Key from the menu that has appeared.
- Type (or, of course, paste) the code for setting up two-step authentication you have received from the website ore service.
- Tap OK.
How to Use the Built-in 2FA Authenticator App for iPhone: FAQ
Can I copy the verification code for use in a different browser?
Yes.
To use the code generated by the Safari two-factor authentication app in another browser:
- Open the Settings app on the iPhone.
- Go to the Passwords category.
- Find and open the account.
- Tap the code under Verification Code (or VERIFICATION CODE).
- Select Copy Verification Code from the menu that has appeared.
Can I reset the authentication code for an account?
Yes. If a website requires you to set up two-factor authentication anew, for instance, you can reset the secret code on your iPhone:
To replace the authentication code for an account:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Open the Passwords category.
- Tap the account from which you want to remove the current 2FA information.
- Tap Edit.
- Now tap Delete Verification Code.
iOS 16 and earlier: Tap ⛔︎ (circled minus) to bring up Delete Verification Code. - Now tap Delete Verification Code.
- Add the account again using the steps above.
(How to use the built-in 2FA authenticator app for iPhone tested with iOS 15–17; updated October 2023)