Alchemer 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app
By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5
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Alchemer, the company behind Alchemer Survey and its other feedback tools, doesn't give you a two-factor switch of your own. An account administrator turns on multi-factor authentication (MFA) for everyone on the account, and each person sets up a second step at their next sign-in. The choices are an authenticator app or text messages, which only go to U.S. numbers (Alchemer). This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.
How we checked this guide: the Alchemer steps come from Alchemer's own help center, including the screenshots in its MFA article, linked below, which we read on October 20, 2026. We haven't tested them on an Alchemer account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
Two articles, and which one counts
Alchemer changed its MFA in December 2025, and its older article now sends anyone setting up MFA since then to the newer one (Alchemer). We follow the newer article. Where it's silent, we use the legacy one and say so, since its labels may be out of date.
Admins: require MFA for the account
The newer article and its screenshots show this (Alchemer):
- In the left menu, open Security, then MFA Settings.
- Under Require all users to use one or more MFA factors, choose Yes.
- Select Save Settings.
The screen says the choice applies across every Alchemer region and application where you have an account. The article's text mentions a checkbox, but its screenshot shows Yes and No, so the control may look different for you.
Not an admin? Alchemer's FAQ says a user can also turn on MFA for just their own profile (Alchemer), but the current MFA article doesn't show where. If you can't find it, ask your administrator. The legacy article also says Alchemer's MFA isn't available on accounts that sign in through single sign-on (SSO) (Alchemer).
Set up the authenticator app at sign-in
Once MFA is required, you're prompted at your next sign-in (Alchemer):
- Sign in with your email address and password.
- On Select a method to verify your identity, choose Google Authenticator or similar.
- The Secure Your Account screen shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it. If the code is on your iPhone's own screen, take a screenshot and use Choose a photo instead. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
- Type the code from Novaz into Enter your one-time code, then select Continue.
The article doesn't explain the Trouble Scanning? link below the QR code. If it gives you a text key, tap + in Novaz, then Enter key manually, and enter it as the Setup key. The legacy article described 6-digit, time-based codes, which Novaz makes from a typed key, but scanning is still safer. See What is a 2FA setup key?
Picking SMS instead limits you to a U.S. number and five codes an hour (Alchemer). For the trade-offs, see authenticator app vs SMS.
No backup codes
Neither article mentions backup codes or remembering a device, and the legacy one says you need the app at every sign-in. Novaz keeps the key on your iPhone, so unless you've made a Novaz backup (iCloud backup or a backup file), your fallback is an administrator who can reset your MFA (below).
If Alchemer rejects your code
The legacy article's advice: if Novaz shows a new code before you submit, use the new one, and if a code fails, wait for the next one and retry (Alchemer). If codes still fail, check your iPhone's clock: 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?
Changing phones
Reset your method while you can still sign in (Alchemer):
- Open Profile And Settings. The legacy article reaches it from the profile icon at the top right.
- Next to your method under Multi-Factor Authentication, select Reset.
- Alchemer confirms that the factor has been reset.
- At your next sign-in, Alchemer asks you to set up MFA again. Scan the new QR code with Novaz on the new iPhone.
If you have a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you can restore the account on the new iPhone instead of resetting. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.
If you lose your authenticator
Only the legacy article covers lockouts (Alchemer):
- You're not an admin: on the MFA sign-in screen, select Problems logging in?, then Contact My Admin. Alchemer notifies every administrator on your account that you need a reset.
- You're an admin: ask another admin on the account to reset you. If you're the only one, contact Alchemer Support and ask them to reset your MFA.
Admins reset someone under Account > User Management > Users: open the person, go to the Profile tab, select Reset Authentication, then Reset MFA. Alchemer doesn't say what proof Support asks for or how long a reset takes. More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
Turning MFA off
The current article doesn't describe turning the requirement off, and its screenshot shows a Remove option beside your method without explaining it. Under the legacy setup, switching the requirement off didn't stop MFA for people who had set it up until each was reset.
