Airship 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app

Airship is the customer engagement platform behind many apps' push notifications, in-app messages and mobile wallet passes. If you work in the Airship dashboard, multi-factor authentication (MFA) isn't optional. Every Airship user has to set it up, unless their company makes them sign in through its own single sign-on (SSO) (Airship, Airship).

The MFA itself is run by Okta, so you manage methods on an Okta page that opens from your Airship profile. It replaced Airship's older two-factor system in August 2023. Methods on offer are an authenticator app, text messages, biometrics and security keys, though Airship says the list can vary by setup (Airship).

This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone. Any authenticator app works the same way.

How we checked this guide: the Airship steps come from Airship's own documentation, linked below, including the screenshot of the Okta settings page, which we read on October 21, 2026. Airship's support center blocked our automated requests, and its public article search found nothing on MFA. We haven't tested the steps on an Airship account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.

The setup screen says Google Authenticator

Okta labels the authenticator option Google Authenticator. Airship's documentation says that's only a name: Bitwarden Authenticator, LastPass Authenticator and similar apps work too (Airship). Novaz makes the same kind of time-based codes, so it works too.

Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app

If you're new to Airship, or haven't set up MFA yet, you start from the activation link Airship emails to you. After you set a password, invited team members and existing users have to pick an MFA method before they reach the dashboard. Other new accounts are only asked later, but can add one straight away using the steps below (Airship).

If you're already signed in, Airship describes this route (Airship):

1. In the dashboard header, select the account menu icon, then Profile.
2. Under Login Info, select the edit icon for Multi-factor authentication. Your Okta account page opens in a new tab.
3. In Security Methods, select Set up next to Google Authenticator, and follow the steps Okta shows.

Airship's page stops there and doesn't picture the screen that follows. Expect a QR code:

4. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it. If the code is on the same iPhone, take a screenshot and use Choose a photo instead. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
5. If Okta gives you a text key rather than a QR code, tap +, then Enter key manually in Novaz, and paste it as the Setup key. See What is a 2FA setup key?
6. Type the 6-digit code from Novaz where Okta asks for it.

Add a second method

Airship has no recovery codes in its documentation. What it recommends instead is setting up more than one MFA method, and specifically different kinds of method, not two phone numbers. Its reason: if one method stops working, another lets you back in without contacting Support (Airship).

That advice holds with Novaz too: its keys stay on your iPhone unless you turn on iCloud backup or export a backup file. A security key or a phone number on the same Security Methods page gives you a way in if that iPhone is gone. One caveat from Airship: text messages don't work with every country code. If no code arrives, it says to choose a different method.

When Airship asks for a code

Once MFA is set up, you use it when you sign in at go.airship.com (US) or go.airship.eu (EU). Choose the right region first, since accounts live in one or the other. Airship also asks for an MFA factor when you change the email address on your account (Airship).

If Airship rejects your code

Airship's docs don't cover rejected authenticator codes. Check your iPhone's clock first: Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when the clock is 15 seconds or more off. More causes are in Authenticator code not working?

Be careful with repeated tries. With MFA turned on, Airship locks the account after six failed sign-in attempts and emails you instructions. You can't reset your password while the lockout lasts (Airship).

Changing phones

Airship doesn't describe a phone change, but its rules make the order clear. Do it while you can still sign in, and make sure another method is set up first: Airship says you must always keep at least one (Airship). Then, on the Okta page from Profile, remove the authenticator and set it up again with the new iPhone. With a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you can restore the account on the new iPhone instead; without one, you scan a fresh QR code on the new one. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

Sign in with one of your other methods, then replace the authenticator on the Okta page. If you have no other method, Airship's route is Support. Its login help says to email support@airship.com from the email address on your Airship account (Airship). Airship doesn't publish what proof it asks for or how long a reset takes.

More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Turning MFA off

You can't. MFA is required for every Airship user who doesn't sign in through SSO. You can only swap the authenticator app for another method.

Official Airship help

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Airship login guidelines and account management
• Manage account security