Alto IRA 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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Alto is a self-directed IRA platform: you sign in at app.altoira.com to hold private equity, real estate, startup deals and other alternative assets inside a retirement account. Two-factor authentication (2FA) on Alto means one thing, an authenticator app. The security screen in Alto's own screenshots says you "must install an app on your phone" and asks for its code each time you log in (Alto). Alto recommends 2FA but lets you switch it off. This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone. Any authenticator app works the same way.
How we checked this guide: the Alto steps come from Alto's own help center article and the screenshots in it, linked below, which we read on October 24, 2026. We haven't tested them on an Alto account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
Before you start
Alto's help article is written mostly for people turning 2FA off, and it calls setup "re-enabling" it. It doesn't say whether new accounts start with 2FA already on. If your Security page offers Disable Two-Factor Authentication, it's already active and you don't need the steps below.
If you came here about CryptoIRA, Alto's help pages point you to public.com for that product instead (Alto). This guide covers your Alto IRA login at app.altoira.com.
Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
These steps follow Alto's article (Alto):
- Log in to Alto and click your name in the top right corner of the dashboard.
- Choose Your Settings from the menu.
- In the left-hand menu, click Security. The section is titled Two-Factor Authentication (Recommended).
- Type your account password in Verify Your Password, then click Enable Two-Factor Authentication.
- Alto shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at the screen. If you're using Alto on the same iPhone, take a screenshot, then tap + and Choose a photo. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
- Finish the setup in Alto. Its article ends at the QR code, so it doesn't say whether Alto asks for a first code to confirm. If it does, type the 6-digit code Novaz shows.
Alto's article doesn't mention a text key you could type instead of scanning. If you can't scan the code, look for one on the setup screen; if Alto shows it, add it in Novaz with +, Enter key manually, and paste it into Setup key. See What is a 2FA setup key?
No backup codes in Alto's help
Alto's article says nothing about backup or recovery codes, and its screenshots don't show any. That matters with Novaz, because its keys stay on your iPhone unless you turn on iCloud backup or export a backup file. If Alto does show codes during setup, save them somewhere away from your phone. See 2FA backup codes.
If Alto rejects your code
Alto's help doesn't cover wrong or expired codes. The most common cause is the iPhone's clock: open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when the clock is 15 seconds or more off. More causes are in Authenticator code not working?
Changing phones
Alto doesn't describe a phone move. The steps it does document give you a way, as long as you still have the old phone: turn 2FA off with a code from the old phone (see below), then turn it on again and scan the new QR code with the new phone. If you have a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you can restore the account on the new iPhone and skip the re-setup. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.
If you lose your authenticator
Alto's only documented route is email. If you've lost access to your authenticator app and can't log in, write to help@altoira.com (Alto). The article doesn't say what proof of identity Alto asks for or how long it takes. Since this is a retirement account, send the email from the address you log in with, and expect identity checks. More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
Turning 2FA off
Go to your name, Your Settings, then Security, and click Disable Two-Factor Authentication. Alto asks for your password in Verify Your Password and a current code in One-Time Code, then you click Disable (Alto). After that, open the Alto entry in Novaz and tap Remove account.
