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Novaz AuthenticatorGET

DATEV 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app for your DATEV-Konto

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

On this page
  1. Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
  2. Keep your recovery codes
  3. When DATEV asks for a code
  4. If DATEV rejects your code
  5. Changing phones
  6. If you lose your authenticator
  7. Turning 2FA off
  8. Official DATEV help

DATEV's two-factor authentication (2FA) belongs to the DATEV-Konto, the account you sign in to with an email address and password. It's the sign-in for DATEV cloud apps such as the employee app DATEV Arbeitnehmer online and the DATEV E-Rechnungsplattform (DATEV). Some apps, such as Arbeitnehmer online, require an authenticator app. Elsewhere it's optional (DATEV).

DATEV doesn't make an authenticator app, and DATEV SmartLogin isn't one (DATEV). If you work at a tax firm or are one of its clients, apps like MyDATEV still need SmartCard or SmartLogin. DATEV says it's looking at authenticator app sign-in for those apps for 2027 (DATEV).

This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any app that follows the TOTP standard works the same way. DATEV's screens are in German, with a DE/EN switch (DATEV), so we give the German labels with an English meaning in parentheses.

How we checked this guide: the DATEV steps come from DATEV's own help center (the DATEV Hilfe-Center, mostly in German) and its screenshots, linked below, which we read on October 19, 2026. We haven't tested them on a DATEV 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

Registering for Arbeitnehmer online includes this step. Otherwise, start in account management (DATEV):

  1. Open the Kontoverwaltung (account management) and sign in with your email address and password.
  2. Under Zugangsdaten (sign-in details), in the Zwei-Faktor-Authentifizierung (two-factor authentication) section, click Jetzt einrichten (set up now).
  3. If your account is linked to a DATEV SmartCard or SmartLogin, DATEV first asks for a SmartVerify code from one of them (DATEV).
  4. On Authenticator App einrichten, step 1 shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code.
  5. Can't scan it? Click Schlüssel zur manuellen Eingabe anzeigen (show key for manual entry), and the key appears under the QR code (DATEV). In Novaz, tap +, then Enter key manually, and type it as the Setup key. DATEV's codes are 6 digits and change every 30 seconds, so a typed key works. See What is a 2FA setup key?
  6. In step 2, type the code from Novaz in 6-stelliger Code aus Authenticator-App (6-digit code from authenticator app) and click Weiter (continue).
  7. Save the Wiederherstellungscodes (recovery codes) with Codes drucken (print) or Codes kopieren (copy), tick the checkbox, and click Weiter (DATEV).

On the iPhone itself, DATEV shows the key first, under Authenticator-Schlüssel (authenticator key), with a copy button (DATEV). Paste it into Novaz's Setup key field. To use the QR code instead, tap Sie möchten den QR-Code scannen? (want to scan the QR code?), take a screenshot, and in Novaz tap +, then Choose a photo (scanning a QR code on the same iPhone).

Keep your recovery codes

DATEV shows six 10-character recovery codes once, and each works once. Using one resets your 2FA so you can set up an app again, and you then get six new codes (DATEV). Without iCloud backup or a backup file, Novaz keeps its keys only on your iPhone, so these codes are your way back in. Keep them on paper or in a password manager. See 2FA backup codes.

When DATEV asks for a code

Every time you sign in with your email address and password, on a page called Authenticator-App öffnen (open authenticator app). DATEV also accepts the two codes before and after the current one, so you don't need to rush (DATEV). At Arbeitnehmer online, choose DATEV-Konto mit Authenticator-App to sign in (DATEV).

If DATEV rejects your code

The message is Bestätigungscode ungültig (verification code invalid), with an error number starting IAM24111. DATEV's fixes, in order (DATEV):

  1. Your phone's clock must be within 60 seconds of the official time. On iPhone, open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when it's 15 seconds or more off.
  2. If you've set up 2FA more than once, only the newest entry works. In Novaz, open the old one and tap Remove account.
  3. If that fails, use Kein Bestätigungscode verfügbar (no verification code available), below.

More causes are in Authenticator code not working?

Changing phones

For apps that can't move their entries to a new phone, DATEV points to its restore process (DATEV). Novaz can move its entries: restore your accounts on the new iPhone from iCloud backup or a backup file. Without one, use a recovery code as below, then set up Novaz on the new iPhone. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

Sign in with your email address and password, and on Authenticator-App öffnen click Kein Bestätigungscode verfügbar (DATEV).

  • With a recovery code: choose Wiederherstellungscode verwenden (use recovery code), enter it, click Weiter, and set up Novaz again.
  • Without one: choose Wiederherstellungscode nicht mehr vorhanden (recovery code no longer available). You can't undo this. Where 2FA is required, as at Arbeitnehmer online, DATEV sends a new 16-character code by letter only, to the address shown, and says the post can take several days. Where it's optional, the code comes by email only. Accounts linked to a SmartCard or SmartLogin use a SmartVerify code instead. Enter the code on Neuen Wiederherstellungscode eingeben (enter new recovery code).

If the letter doesn't arrive or the address is wrong, you can reset the DATEV-Konto instead, confirming with JA, DATEV-Konto zurücksetzen (yes, reset). That turns 2FA off and unlinks Arbeitnehmer online, and you'll need a new invitation code from your employer. If the code goes to an email address you can't open anymore, DATEV says the account can't be recovered.

For questions, DATEV's contact page points to its chat assistant, and to Arbeitnehmer online's own contact page (DATEV). More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Turning 2FA off

In the Kontoverwaltung, under Zugangsdaten, check the Zwei-Faktor-Authentifizierung status (DATEV). If only Anwendungen mit weniger sensiblen Daten (apps with less sensitive data) is listed, as Aktiv (active), click Deaktivieren (turn off) and enter a new code. If Anwendungen mit sensiblen Daten (apps with sensitive data) shows Aktiv (verpflichtend) (active, required), the account is or was linked to Arbeitnehmer online, and only a reset turns 2FA off. Then remove DATEV from Novaz with Remove account.

Official DATEV help

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