How to Use Two-Factor Authentication in the New Password App for MacOS
You really should use two-factor authentication for all your important accounts. An additional layer of added security with a six-digit password that is updated every 30 seconds is essential to keep your digital accounts safe. But the question is how to make it so that it is actually easy to use?
There are plenty of options – Bitwarden and 1Password have great two-factor authentication features built-in – but these apps cost money and are ultimately third-party options rather than built into our devices. The new Passwords app in macOS Sequoia offers one-stop management of all your passwords. Additionally, there is now a dedicated section that shows all the two-factor codes together, just like a third-party app like 1Password. This will make it easier to use two-factor codes even if you don’t use the Safari app.
This feature syncs across all your devices using iCloud, so all the two-factor codes from your iPhone will be available on your Mac, and vice versa. (Here’s how to use the two-factor process for iPhone and iPad .) And if you use Safari, you can enter two-factor authentication codes simply by using Touch ID, without having to dig into a password management app.
How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Mac
Setting up two-factor authentication on macOS is easy—you can scan a QR code to set it up automatically, or enter the code manually and you’re good to go. The process is the same for most websites, apps and services. In this example, I will use a Microsoft account in the Safari browser. First, you need to add the website login to the Passwords app (save it to iCloud).
To get started, open the website and find the two-factor authentication feature in the settings. In your Microsoft account, go to Security > Manage Sign In > Enter Code from Authenticator App to get started.
You will see a new page to configure the authentication application. This will be the same no matter what service you use. The default option will be to scan the QR code for automatic setup. Don’t worry—you don’t need to use your camera to scan this QR code. This feature is used as an express setting to automatically link your account to the Passwords app. If you want to do this manually, you will also find an option for “ I can’t scan the barcode.” This will give you a numeric code that you can enter on the Passwords app login page.
In this case, I focus on setting up a QR code. Simply right-click on the QR code and select the Set Verification Code option.
The Passwords application will open. Here, enter your device’s password or use Touch ID to unlock the app.
The Passwords app will now ask you to select a login to associate with two-factor authentication. Use the search bar to find the relevant account and click the Add Verification Code button.
Two-factor authentication will be paired instantly, and you’ll see a new Verification Code section in your account details. You can click the code to copy it to your clipboard.
Now go back to the website, paste this code in the section and follow the instructions on the website.
And that’s all it takes. Your two-factor code will be added to your account.
How to Sign In with Two-Factor Authentication on Mac
If you use Safari, you don’t need to look for verification codes: Safari will fill them in automatically. The next time you log into the site and find yourself on the checkout page, simply use Touch ID to sign in.
Are you using a different browser? Finding two-factor codes is still quite easy. Open the Passwords app, authenticate, and go to the Codes section in the sidebar. Here you will see all your two-factor codes in a simple list. You can right-click any code to quickly copy it to your clipboard.
How to Remove Two-Factor Authentication on Mac
If you no longer want to use two-factor authentication for a website, you can remove it from the Passwords app. First, be sure to disable it on the website itself (as this may require you to enter a verification code).
Then go to the Passwords app, find the website you want, and click the Change button. In the “Verification Code” section, click the ” Remove Verification Code ” button and in the confirmation pop-up window, select ” Remove Verification Code ” again. The two-factor authentication section will now disappear.