Discord 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app

Before you turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Discord account, know one rule: if you lose your authenticator and your backup codes, Discord won't get you back in. Its help center says "The Discord Support team is not able to remove MFA from an account" (Discord). Without your backup codes, another article says, you'd have to create a new account (Discord).

Discord calls 2FA multi-factor authentication (MFA). It offers passkeys or security keys (its recommendation), an authenticator app, and text messages, which you can only add once an authenticator app is set up (Discord). This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.

How we checked this guide: the Discord steps come from Discord's own help center and developer documentation, linked below, including their screenshots, which we read on October 19, 2026. We haven't tested them on a Discord account, and some screenshots look older than the text, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.

When Discord requires 2FA

2FA is optional for most people. Two groups need it:

• Server moderators. A server can block risky admin actions for members without 2FA (Discord). Servers listed in Server Discovery must have this on (Discord). Even the owner can't delete such a server without 2FA (Discord).
• Developers. You need 2FA to create or join a team in the Developer Portal (Discord).

Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app

A computer is easiest, since you can scan the QR code. Discord's steps for the desktop app and browser (Discord):

1. Select the cogwheel next to your username. User Settings opens on My Account.
2. Under Password and Authentication, select Enable Authenticator App.
3. Discord shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it.
4. Or type the text key, labeled 2FA KEY (MANUAL ENTRY) in Discord's screenshot: in Novaz, tap +, then Enter key manually, and enter it as the Setup key. Discord's codes are 6 digits and change every 30 seconds (Discord), which is what Novaz uses for a typed key. See What is a 2FA setup key?
5. Type the 6-digit code from Novaz under Login with your code and select Activate.

In the Discord app on iPhone, tap your avatar (bottom right), the cogwheel (top right), Account, then Enable Authenticator App. The app has you copy a secret key into your authenticator app and enter a code (Discord). Paste the key into Novaz with Enter key manually.

Save your backup codes right away

When setup finishes, Discord offers Download Backup Codes (Discord). Each code is 8 digits and works once, and the download is named discord_backup_codes.txt (Discord).

Discord warns that not every authenticator app syncs to the cloud (Discord). Novaz backs up to iCloud only if you turn on iCloud backup (PRO), and you can also export a backup file. Without either, its keys stay on that iPhone, so the backup codes are what you'd fall back on. Keep them in a password manager or on paper. See 2FA backup codes.

Skipped them? In My Account, select View Backup Codes and enter your password. Discord shows the codes, marks used ones, and lets you download them (Discord).

You can also add a phone number and select Enable SMS Authentication as a fallback. Discord doesn't recommend it, because numbers can be stolen in a SIM swap (Discord).

When Discord asks for a code

• Signing in, after your password. Type the code and select Confirm (Discord).
• Deleting a server you own, instead of typing its name (Discord).
• Transferring server ownership (Discord).
• Security changes, such as turning on SMS (Discord) or removing the authenticator app (Discord).

If Discord rejects your code

Discord's help doesn't cover rejected authenticator codes. The usual cause is the iPhone's clock: open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when it's 15 seconds or more off. Also, an app code is 6 digits and a backup code is 8. More causes: Authenticator code not working?

Changing phones or turning 2FA off

To change phones, Discord's only documented way is to remove the authenticator app while you're signed in, then set it up again (Discord). In My Account, select Remove Authenticator App and confirm with a code, before you give up the old iPhone. With a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you can skip this: restore your accounts on the new iPhone and Discord's codes keep working. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

Discord's recovery article lists these routes (Discord):

1. A backup code. At the code prompt, select Verify with something else, then Use a backup code, and Confirm. Look for a discord_backup_codes.txt file or a screenshot.
2. A text message, if you turned on SMS: Verify with something else, then Use a code sent to your phone.
3. A signed-in device. Still signed in on a computer? Use View Backup Codes with your password.

Once you're in, select Remove Authenticator App, then Okay, set it up again, and save fresh backup codes (Discord).

Without any of these, there's no support route: Discord can't remove MFA or issue new codes, and doesn't describe any identity check. More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Official Discord help

• Setting up Multi-Factor Authentication
• Using an Authenticator App on Discord
• How to Recover Your Discord Account When Locked Out of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Inactive Account Deletion
• How do I delete a server?
• How to Transfer Ownership of a Discord Server
• Verified Server Moderation Guidelines
• Enabling Server Discovery
• Managing Your Developer Team (developer documentation)