BTC Markets 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app

BTC Markets is an Australian cryptocurrency exchange, and its two-factor authentication (2FA) is more than an optional extra. You need it to withdraw AUD or crypto in the BTC Markets mobile app (BTC Markets, BTC Markets), and you can't change the email address on your account without it (BTC Markets). The only 2FA method its help center describes is an authenticator app; SMS is used only to reset 2FA if you're locked out. This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.

How we checked this guide: the BTC Markets steps come from BTC Markets' own help center, linked below, which we read on October 22, 2026. The help center pages block automated visits, so we read the same articles through the help center's public article feed on support.btcmarkets.net. We haven't tested the steps on a BTC Markets account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.

Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app

BTC Markets' set-up guide describes these steps on the website (BTC Markets):

1. Log in to your BTC Markets account and open the Account page.
2. Click the Enable Two-Factor Authentication tab. BTC Markets shows a QR code.
3. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at the code. The new entry is labeled BTC Markets with your email address.
4. Type the 6-digit code from Novaz into BTC Markets to switch 2FA on.
5. BTC Markets may now show a pop-up with your secret key. Write it down and keep it offline. If BTC Markets asks, confirm that you've stored it.

The set-up guide doesn't mention a way to type the key into your app instead of scanning. If you only have the secret key, in Novaz tap +, then Enter key manually, fill in Service and Account, and type the key as the Setup key. BTC Markets' codes are 6 digits and change about every 30 seconds, which matches what Novaz makes from a typed key. See What is a 2FA setup key?

If you're setting this up on the iPhone that holds Novaz, you can take a screenshot of the QR code and use Choose a photo after tapping + (scanning a QR code on the same iPhone). BTC Markets warns against keeping the key in a screenshot, so delete it from Photos, and from Recently Deleted, once Novaz shows codes.

Keep the secret key offline

The secret key is your backup. Anyone who has it can make your codes, so BTC Markets suggests a physical safe or a locked container, and says not to keep it in email, a notes app, a screenshot, or documents in cloud storage (BTC Markets). Unless you've made a Novaz backup (iCloud backup or a backup file), its keys stay only on your iPhone, so the paper copy matters.

BTC Markets' account security FAQ says setup also gave you backup codes (BTC Markets), but the set-up guide only mentions the secret key. Keep whatever BTC Markets shows you. More in 2FA backup codes.

When BTC Markets asks for a code

• Logging in: after your email and password, you type the code on a second page (BTC Markets). The mobile app uses the same sign-in, then lets you use a PIN or biometrics (BTC Markets).
• Withdrawals: the security screen asks for an email code and a code from your authenticator app (BTC Markets).
• Changing your email address or username (BTC Markets).

API keys are the exception: BTC Markets says they skip 2FA checks entirely, so treat them like a password (BTC Markets).

If BTC Markets rejects your code

BTC Markets puts most "Incorrect Code" errors down to the phone's time being out of sync (BTC Markets). On iPhone, open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. If it's already on, BTC Markets suggests turning it off for a few seconds and back on. Novaz warns you when the clock is 15 seconds or more off.

Failing that, it suggests removing the account from your app and adding it again with your secret key (BTC Markets). In Novaz, open the account and tap Remove account, then add it again. More causes are in Authenticator code not working?

Changing phones

BTC Markets' way is to install your authenticator app on the new phone and add your account with the backup QR code or the secret key (BTC Markets). With Novaz, you can also restore your accounts on the new iPhone from iCloud backup or a backup file. Without one, set it up again from your stored key. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

BTC Markets lists these options, in this order (BTC Markets, BTC Markets):

1. Restore from your secret key. Add it to an authenticator app on another phone and sign in as usual.
2. Reset 2FA by SMS. This works only if you still have the mobile number on your account. On the BTC Markets 2FA reset page, enter your verified email address and mobile number and click Continue. Type the 8-digit code BTC Markets texts you into Code: and click Continue. This turns 2FA off for now, so set it up again once you're in.
3. Contact support. If the reset page gives an error, BTC Markets says your details are probably out of date and its support team has to help, through its support request form. The help pages don't say what proof support asks for or how long it takes.

BTC Markets says its support will never ask for your password or 2FA codes. See also Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Turning 2FA off

BTC Markets only documents the SMS reset above, not a switch in account settings.

Official BTC Markets help

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Set-up Guide
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Troubleshooting
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Device Re-sync
• Lost or Damaged Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Device
• Disable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
• Account Security on BTC Markets
• Single Sign-On (SSO)
• Logging into the mobile app and setting a PIN
• Change email address and/or username
• How to withdraw AUD
• How to withdraw crypto