64 lines
4.2 KiB
Markdown
64 lines
4.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Configuring two-factor authentication recovery methods
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intro: You can set up a variety of recovery methods to access your account if you lose your two-factor authentication credentials.
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redirect_from:
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- /articles/downloading-your-two-factor-authentication-recovery-codes
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- /articles/setting-a-fallback-authentication-number
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- /articles/about-recover-accounts-elsewhere
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- /articles/adding-a-fallback-authentication-method-with-recover-accounts-elsewhere
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- /articles/generating-and-storing-an-account-recovery-token
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- /articles/configuring-two-factor-authentication-recovery-methods
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- /github/authenticating-to-github/configuring-two-factor-authentication-recovery-methods
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- /github/authenticating-to-github/securing-your-account-with-two-factor-authentication-2fa/configuring-two-factor-authentication-recovery-methods
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versions:
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fpt: '*'
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ghes: '*'
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ghec: '*'
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topics:
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- 2FA
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shortTitle: Configure 2FA recovery
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---
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In addition to securely storing your two-factor authentication (2FA) recovery codes, we strongly recommend configuring two or more authentication methods to avoid losing access to your account. For more information, see [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/securing-your-account-with-two-factor-authentication-2fa/configuring-two-factor-authentication#configuring-two-factor-authentication-using-a-security-key).
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## Downloading your two-factor authentication recovery codes
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{% data reusables.two_fa.about-recovery-codes %} You can also download your recovery codes at any point after enabling two-factor authentication.
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To keep your account secure, don't share or distribute your recovery codes. We recommend saving them with a secure password manager.
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If you generate new recovery codes or disable and re-enable 2FA, the recovery codes in your security settings automatically update. Reconfiguring your 2FA settings without disabling 2FA will not change your recovery codes.
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{% data reusables.user-settings.access_settings %}
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{% data reusables.user-settings.security %}
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{% data reusables.two_fa.show-recovery-codes %}
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1. Save your recovery codes in a safe place. Your recovery codes can help you get back into your account if you lose access.
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* To save your recovery codes on your device, click **Download**.
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* To save a hard copy of your recovery codes, click **Print**.
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* To copy your recovery codes for storage in a password manager, click **Copy**.
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## Generating a new set of recovery codes
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Once you use a recovery code to regain access to your account, it cannot be reused. If you've used all 16 recovery codes, you can generate another list of codes. Generating a new set of recovery codes will invalidate any codes you previously generated.
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{% data reusables.user-settings.access_settings %}
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{% data reusables.user-settings.security %}
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{% data reusables.two_fa.show-recovery-codes %}
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1. Under "Generate new recovery codes", click **Generate new recovery codes**.
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## Configuring backups for your time-based one-time password (TOTP) app
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Most TOTP apps support backups. If you lose access to your authentication device, you can use your TOTP app backup to access your authentication method and account credentials on a different authentication device, ensuring continued access to your 2FA-enabled account.
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The process of configuring backups is different for each TOTP app. For some examples from popular TOTP apps, see the following documentation:
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* [1Password](https://support.1password.com/backups/)
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* [Google Authenticator](https://security.googleblog.com/2023/04/google-authenticator-now-supports.html)
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* [Microsoft Authenticator](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/back-up-and-recover-account-credentials-in-the-authenticator-app-bb939936-7a8d-4e88-bc43-49bc1a700a40)
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## Further reading
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* [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/securing-your-account-with-two-factor-authentication-2fa/about-two-factor-authentication)
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* [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/securing-your-account-with-two-factor-authentication-2fa/configuring-two-factor-authentication)
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* [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/securing-your-account-with-two-factor-authentication-2fa/accessing-github-using-two-factor-authentication)
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* [AUTOTITLE](/authentication/securing-your-account-with-two-factor-authentication-2fa/recovering-your-account-if-you-lose-your-2fa-credentials)
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