FreeAgent 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app
By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5
On this page
FreeAgent is online accounting software, so your login guards invoices, bank feeds and tax returns. Its two-factor authentication (2FA) is optional and works only with an authenticator app: FreeAgent says the code is never sent by SMS (FreeAgent). Once it's on, FreeAgent asks for a code at every login, not just on new devices. This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone. Any authenticator app works the same way.
How we checked this guide: the FreeAgent steps come from FreeAgent's own help center, linked below, which we read on October 21, 2026. The help center's web pages showed a bot check to our plain requests, and the archived copies predate FreeAgent's latest edits, so we read the current articles through the help center's public article feed on its own domain. We haven't tested the steps on a FreeAgent account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
2FA or the new login check?
FreeAgent's Sign-in and Security page lists two separate options:
- Authenticator app is the 2FA this guide covers. It asks for a 6-digit code from your app each time you log in.
- New login check emails you a code only when you log in from a new device or after clearing cookies. FreeAgent calls it less secure than 2FA and recommends turning on 2FA as well (FreeAgent).
An account owner can make the email check required for every user, but the help pages describe no way to require the authenticator app (FreeAgent).
Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
FreeAgent's 2FA article walks through four short screens (FreeAgent):
- Open the drop-down menu in the top-right corner, select Settings, then Sign-in and Security.
- Select Set up next to Authenticator app.
- The first screen asks you to have an authenticator app ready. Select Continue.
- FreeAgent shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code. On the same iPhone, take a screenshot and use Choose a photo instead. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone. Then select Continue.
- Type the 6-digit code from Novaz in Verification code and select Verify code and continue.
- FreeAgent shows your recovery codes, with Copy codes and Print codes. Save them, then select Confirm and finish.
Authenticator app now shows as enabled.
FreeAgent's article doesn't mention a text key to type instead of scanning, so plan to scan the QR code.
Accountants who use the FreeAgent Practice Dashboard set up 2FA there separately, from Settings under the practice name, with the same screens (FreeAgent).
Your 10 recovery codes
You get 10 single-use recovery codes, meant for emergencies such as a lost phone, not everyday logins. To get a fresh set, go to the Account recovery section of Sign-in and Security, select View codes, then Generate new codes. Every old code stops working, used or not (FreeAgent).
FreeAgent also suggests an authenticator app with cloud backup. Novaz has one in PRO: turn on Settings › Backup › iCloud backup, or export a password-protected backup file for free. Without either, its keys stay only on your iPhone. Keep your recovery codes too, printed or in a password manager. More in 2FA backup codes.
Logging in
After your email address and password, FreeAgent asks for the code from your app and you select Log in. That happens every time, even on a device FreeAgent already knows (FreeAgent). The help pages don't say whether the code is also asked when you sign in with Google or through your bank.
If FreeAgent rejects your code
FreeAgent's troubleshooting page says codes are time-sensitive: one fails if you wait too long before typing it, or if your phone's clock is off (FreeAgent). On iPhone, open Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when the clock is 15 seconds or more off. Other causes are in Authenticator code not working?
Changing phones
FreeAgent's method: turn off 2FA using the old phone, then set it up again on the new one, and check it works before giving up the old phone (FreeAgent). With a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you can restore your accounts on the new iPhone instead; without one, this is your route too. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.
If you lose your authenticator
At the code prompt, choose a recovery code and enter one of yours. FreeAgent's pages label this two ways: the 2FA article shows I want to use a recovery code, while the troubleshooting page shows Try another way, then Recovery code (FreeAgent).
Without your recovery codes, contact FreeAgent support with the blue Help button at the bottom of the screen. Support takes you through an identity check before letting you back in (FreeAgent). FreeAgent doesn't say what proof it asks for or how long it takes. If an accountant who is a FreeAgent partner set up your account, FreeAgent suggests asking them for help with login problems (FreeAgent). More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
Turning 2FA off
On Sign-in and Security, select Disable next to Authenticator app, then Disable again in the pop-up. After that you log in with just your email address and password (FreeAgent). In Novaz, open the FreeAgent account and tap Remove account.
