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Novaz AuthenticatorGET

AOL 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app for your AOL account

By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5

On this page
  1. First, add two recovery methods
  2. Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
  3. Signing in afterwards
  4. Mail apps need an app password
  5. If AOL rejects your code
  6. Changing phones
  7. If you lose your authenticator
  8. Turning 2FA off
  9. Official AOL help

Your AOL account is the sign-in behind AOL Mail, AOL.com and the AOL app. AOL calls two-factor authentication 2-step verification. It's optional, and the second step can come from a text or call, an authenticator app, or a physical security key (AOL, AOL). The authenticator option has a catch: AOL only shows it once your account has two recovery methods, and warns that not every account has it yet. This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.

How we checked this guide: the AOL steps come from AOL's own help articles, linked below, which we read on October 19, 2026. We haven't tested them on an AOL account, and AOL's main 2-step verification article dates from February 2024, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.

First, add two recovery methods

AOL's recovery info is a mobile number and an alternate email address. You need at least two recovery methods before Authenticator app appears as a choice (AOL). Add them at the bottom of the Account Security page with Add email or Add phone number, then verify each one (AOL).

Keep them current. AOL's help doesn't mention backup codes for 2-step verification, so that phone and email are your fallback if you lose Novaz.

Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app

AOL describes these steps (AOL):

  1. Sign in to your AOL Account Security page.
  2. Next to 2-Step Verification, click Turn on 2SV. Another section of the same article calls it Turn on.
  3. Click Get started.
  4. Choose Authenticator app, then click Continue.
  5. AOL shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it.
  6. Click Continue, type the code Novaz shows, and click Done.

AOL's article only mentions the QR code. It doesn't say whether you can get a key to type instead, or how many digits the codes have, so scan it: the QR code passes the code settings to Novaz. If you're doing this on the iPhone itself, take a screenshot, then in Novaz tap + and Choose a photo (see scanning a QR code on the same iPhone). If AOL does offer a key, use Enter key manually and type it as the Setup key (What is a 2FA setup key?).

AOL emails your primary and backup addresses when 2-step verification is turned on, off, or switched to another method (AOL).

Signing in afterwards

After your password, type the code from Novaz and click Verify (AOL). AOL's help doesn't say whether it remembers trusted devices.

Don't mix this up with another code. When a sign-in looks unusual, such as a new device, a VPN or a private window, AOL may send a one-time code to your recovery phone or email (AOL). That one arrives by text or email, not in Novaz.

Mail apps need an app password

Email apps that don't use AOL's own sign-in page take only a single password, so they can't ask for your Novaz code. With 2-step verification on, you may need an app password for them (AOL). On the Account Security page, click Generate app password or Generate and manage app passwords, then Get Started, name the app, and click Generate password. App passwords keep working after you change your main password, so delete the ones you don't use (AOL).

If AOL rejects your code

AOL's help doesn't cover rejected authenticator codes, but it says too many wrong passwords or codes can lock sign-in for a while (AOL). So check before retrying. The usual 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 in Authenticator code not working?

Changing phones

AOL's help doesn't describe moving the authenticator to a new phone, only turning 2-step verification off and on. Do both while the old phone still works: turn it off, turn it on again, and scan the new QR code with Novaz on the new iPhone. If you turned on Novaz's iCloud backup or saved a backup file, you can restore your accounts on the new iPhone instead and skip that. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

AOL has no help article for a lost authenticator app. The closest is its security key article, which sends you to the Sign-in Helper and then to the Account Security page to turn 2-step verification off (AOL). The Sign-in Helper checks it's you with a code sent to your recovery phone or alternate email (AOL). AOL doesn't say whether this works the same for an authenticator app, or how long it takes.

If your recovery info is wrong or out of reach, AOL's sign-in help says "you might not be able to get back into your account" and suggests making a new one (AOL). Another page says you may still get back in, depending on your account's eligibility (AOL). AOL's contact page lists phone support for account management and password resets (AOL). More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Turning 2FA off

On the Account Security page, next to 2-Step Verification, click Manage, then Turn off (AOL). Then remove AOL from Novaz: open it and tap Remove account.

Official AOL help

More guides: Email