Tired of waiting for SMS verification codes — or never have them arrive at all? Eager to get rid of most of the additional authentication apps? Safari and Passwords can generate those codes seamlessly — no downloads, no fuss. Find out here how you can set up and use Safari or Passwords as a near-universal authenticator app on iPhone ⤓ and iPad.
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How to Use the Built-in 2FA Authenticator App for iPhone (Safari, Passwords or Settings)
Use Safari to Autofill 2FA Codes on iPhone
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.
Add a 2FA Authenticator Account to Passwords and Safari
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.
Their word: Apple include information on two-factor authentication codes in the iPhone User Guide.
- Now select the account for which you want to add two-factor authentication.
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Add 2FA to Safari Without a QR Code (Enter Setup Key)
To add a website or account to your built-in iPhone 2FA authenticator app without a QR code to scan:
- Open the Passwords app on the iPhone.
iOS 17 and earlier: Open the Settings app and 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 or service.
Which code: The code need to set up 2FA is not a recovery code; it is typically called “Authenticator setup key”, “Secret key” or “TOTP key” perhaps. - 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 Passwords app.
iOS 17 and earlier: Open the Settings app and go to the Passwords category. - Go to the Codes category.
iOS 17 and earlier: Skip this step. - Find and open the account.
- Tap and hold the account’s verification code
iOS 17 and earlier: 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:
- Open the Passwords app.
iOS 17 and earlier: Open the Settings app and go to the Passwords category. - Tap the account from which you want to remove the current 2FA information.
- Tap Edit.
- Now tap Delete Code (or 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.
(Tested with iOS 15–18 and 26; first published October 2021, last updated August 2026)