How to use login verification

Login verification is an extra layer of security for your Twitter account. Instead of only entering a password to log in, you’ll also enter a code which is sent to your mobile phone. This verification helps make sure that you, and only you, can access your account.

After you enable this feature, you will need both your password and your mobile phone, or a security key (via twitter.com) to log in to your account. When you log in to twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, you will receive a six-digit login code to enter. By default, this will be sent via SMS text message (see our list of supported carriers), or you can use a third party app or a security key for verification (see details below).

Note: In order to set up login verification, you need to have a phone number associated with your Twitter account. This requirement is in place for account recovery. If you manage multiple accounts that use the same phone number, it is possible to use login verification for each account. For added security, we recommend enabling login verification for all of your accounts.

Important: Before you can enable login verification, you must:

How to verify your login

To set up login verification on Twitter for iOS:

In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
Note: If you don’t already have a phone number associated with your Twitter account, you’ll see a prompt to add one. A valid phone number is required to enable login verification.
Drag the slider to turn on Login verification.
Tap Confirm to begin enrollment.
Read the overview instructions, then tap Start.
Enter your password and tap Verify.
Tap Send code to add your phone number.
Note: If you already have a phone number associated with your Twitter account, we will send you an SMS to confirm your number.
Enter the verification code sent to your device, then tap Submit.
Tap Get Backup Code to view a code, generated through your Twitter app. We recommend you store a screenshot of the code in case you need it for future use. This will help you access your account if you lose your mobile phone or change your phone number.

Now, when you log in to your account on twitter.com, Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, a six-digit login code will be sent via text message to your phone. Enter the code when prompted to access your account.

To choose between login verification type on Twitter for iOS:

You can choose to use a separate third-party app to generate a login code.

In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
The slider next to Text message will be on by default. Drag the slider to off to no longer receive codes via text message. If the Security app selection is currently disabled, you’ll be prompted to enable it.

To set up using a separate third-party app for verification on Twitter for iOS:

You can use a third-party authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, Duo Mobile, Authy, or similar, installed on your mobile device.

In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
Drag the slider next to Security app to receive a code via a separate app.
Read instructions and tap Start.
Enter your password and tap Verify.
Start the set up process by tapping Set up now.
Follow the set up process instructions. Note: If you already have an authenticator app installed, you’ll see a message to confirm allowing Twitter to be added.
You’ll see a Try it now message. Generate a code through the third-party app, enter it, and tap Verify.
Now, through the third-party app, you can view and use codes for login verification.

If you enrolled in login verification before March 21, 2016:
When you log in to your account on twitter.com or on another device using Twitter for iOS, Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com, a push notification will be sent to your phone. Open the push notification to approve the login request. Once you approve, you will be immediately logged in to your account on twitter.com.

You may also receive a login code via SMS text message. You can opt into this by clicking request a code sent to your phone via SMS when you log in to your account on twitter.com.

Note: You can also approve or deny your login requests from within the app by tapping Security, then tapping Login Requests. Pull down on the list to refresh for new requests. Requests will appear on this screen even if you did not receive a push notification.

To disable login verification for iOS:

In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
Drag the slider to turn off Login verification.
Tap Confirm to save your settings.

How to verify your login

To set up login verification on Twitter for Android:

In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have and select Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
Note: If you don’t already have a phone number associated with your Twitter account, you’ll see a prompt to add one. A valid phone number is required to enable login verification.
Check the box for Login verification to turn it on.
Tap OK to begin enrollment.
Read the overview instructions, then tap Start.
Enter your password and tap Verify.
Tap Send code to add your phone number.
Note: If you already have a phone number associated with your Twitter account, we will send you an SMS to confirm your number.
Enter the verification code sent to your device, then tap Submit.
Tap Get Backup Code to view a code, generated through your Twitter app. We recommend you store a screenshot of the code in case you need it for future use. This will help you access your account if you lose your mobile phone or change your phone number.

To choose between login verification type on Twitter for Android:

You can choose to use a separate third-party app to generate a login code.

In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have and select Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
The box next to Text message will be checked by default. Uncheck the box to no longer receive codes via text message. If the Security app selection is currently disabled, you’ll be prompted to enable it.

To set up using a separate third-party app for verification on Twitter for Android:

You can use a third-party authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, Duo Mobile, Authy, or similar, installed on your mobile device.

In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have and select Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
Check the box next to Security app to receive a code via a separate app.
Read instructions and tap Start.
Enter your password and tap Verify.
Start the set up process by tapping Set up now.
Follow the set up process instructions. Note: If you already have an authenticator app installed, you’ll see a message to confirm allowing Twitter to be added.
You’ll see a Try it now message. Generate a code through the third-party app, enter it, and tap Verify.
Now, through the third-party app, you can view and use codes for login verification.

You may also receive a login code via SMS text message. You can opt into this by clicking request a code sent to your phone via SMS when you log in to your account on Twitter.com.

To disable login verification for Android:

In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have and select Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
Uncheck the box for Login verification to switch it off.
Tap OK to confirm.

How to verify your login

To set up login verification on twitter.com:

In the top menu, click your profile icon, then click Settings and privacy.
Click on your Account settings and click Set up login verification.
Read the overview instructions, then click Start.
Enter your password and click Verify.
Click Send code to add your phone number.
Note: If you already have a phone number associated with your Twitter account, we will send you an SMS to confirm your number.
Enter the verification code sent to your device, then click Submit.
Click Get Backup Code to view a code, generated by Twitter. We recommend you store a screenshot of the code in case you need it for future use. This will help you access your account if you lose your mobile phone or change your phone number.

To choose between login verification type on twitter.com:

You can choose to use a separate third-party app or security key to generate a login code.

In the top menu, click your profile icon, then click Settings and privacy.
Click Account, then click Security.
The Text message option will be on by default. Click Edit to no longer receive codes via text message. If the Mobile security app or Security key selection is currently disabled, you’ll be prompted to enable it.

To set up using a separate third-party app for verification on twitter.com:

You can use a third-party authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, Duo Mobile, Authy, or similar, installed on your mobile device.

In the top menu, click your profile icon, then click Settings and privacy.
Click on the Account tab.
Under Security and next to Login verification, click the Review your login verification methods button to get started.
Enter your password and click Confirm.
From the selections, click Set up next to Mobile security app.
Read the instructions and then click Start.
If you’re asked to verify your password, enter it and click Verify.
You will see a pop-up window displaying a QR code. Follow the instructions listed.
To set up the third-party authenticator app, you will need to scan the QR code. You will then see a 6-digit numeric security code.
Enter this code in the Security code text field in the pop-up window.
Click Done.

To set up using a security key for verification on twitter.com:

You can use a USB security key, such as Yubikey, or similar.

In the top menu, click your profile icon, then click Settings and privacy.
Click on the Account tab.
Under Security and next to Login verification, click the Review your login verification methods button to get started.
Enter your password and click Confirm.
From the selections, click Set up next to Security key.
Read the instructions and then click Start.
If you’re asked to verify your password, enter it and click Verify.
You will see a pop-up window asking you to register your key by inserting it into your computer’s USB port. Once inserted, press the button located on your key. Then verify the key by pressing the button one more time.

Important: You must also have either the Text message or Mobile security app options enabled for login verification. You cannot enable the Security key option alone.

Note: If you are currently logged in to Twitter on the web or on your mobile device (including any applications), you will not be logged out of any existing sessions once login verification is enabled. If you do choose to log out of a third party application associated with your Twitter account, you will need to log back in using a temporary password instead of your usual username and password combination.

To disable login verification:

Click on your Account settings and click the Review your login verification methods button under the Security section.
Click Save changes.
Note: you'll have to enter your password.

Temporary passwords

After you enable login verification for your account on the web, you'll need to use a temporary password to log in to Twitter on other devices or applications that require you to enter your Twitter password; you will not be able to log in using your usual username and password combination. For example, if you enabled login verification in your account settings on the web, and need to login to the Twitter for Mac app, you will need to use a temporary password to do so.

If we detect you will need a temporary password to log in, we will send one via SMS text message to your phone. Alternatively, you can generate your own temporary password.

How to generate a temporary password on twitter.com

Click on the Account tab of your account settings on twitter.com.
Click the Generate app password button.
Enter your current account password and click Submit again.
You can click on the temporary password and this will automatically copy it for you.
When prompted to log in to your other device or application, enter your username and use the temporary password that you were provided.

Note: Temporary passwords will expire after one hour. You do not need a temporary password to log in to Twitter for iOS or Twitter for Android, or mobile.twitter.com.

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