Galaxus 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app
By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5
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Galaxus is the Swiss online shop run by Digitec Galaxus AG, and the same customer account also works on Digitec. Galaxus calls the extra login step two-factor authentication on some pages and multi-factor authentication on others. It's optional, and it uses one method: a 6-digit code from an authenticator app on your phone, with ten one-time backup codes as the fallback (Galaxus Help Center). Galaxus's pages don't mention a text-message option. This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.
How we checked this guide: the Galaxus steps come from Galaxus's own help pages, linked below, which we read again on October 24, 2026. The help center article blocks automated page requests, so we read its text through the help center's public article search feed on helpcenter.galaxus.ch, with a plain request and no login; that article was last updated on May 1, 2024. No archived copy of it exists. We haven't tested the steps on a Galaxus account, so the labels in your account may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
Should you turn it on?
Galaxus doesn't force it on anyone. In a November 2024 interview on its own site, the company's security specialist explains that 2FA stays optional by choice, and that without it a stolen password makes fraudulent orders hard for Galaxus to spot (Galaxus). Galaxus's general terms and conditions also list using two-factor authentication among the steps customers are expected to take to protect their account (Galaxus).
One limit to know first: if you sign in to Galaxus with Google, Facebook or Windows, Galaxus doesn't ask for its own code at all (Galaxus Help Center). On those logins, your protection is whatever 2FA you've set up on that Google, Facebook or Microsoft account.
Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
These steps follow Galaxus's help center (Galaxus Help Center), with a few details from its 2017 announcement of the feature (Galaxus).
- Sign in on galaxus.ch and open your account settings (the site header calls this area Customer account).
- Scroll down to Password and security.
- Choose Activate two-factor authentication and read the notes Galaxus shows before you continue.
- Galaxus shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it. If you're setting this up on the same iPhone, take a screenshot, then tap + and Choose a photo. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
- Galaxus also offers a key it calls a security key. To type it instead, tap +, then Enter key manually in Novaz, and paste it into Setup key. See What is a 2FA setup key?
- Type the 6-digit code from Novaz on the same page where the QR code appeared.
- Galaxus turns 2FA on and gives you ten one-time backup codes. Save or print them before you leave the page.
Galaxus recommends Google Authenticator but says any authenticator app will do. It doesn't say how often its codes change, only that they change regularly. Scanning the QR code is the safer route, because the code carries the settings to your app.
Your backup codes
Each backup code works once. Galaxus's login help says you can use one to sign in and then turn multi-factor authentication off or set it up again (Galaxus). The 2017 announcement adds that you can make and print a fresh set of codes from your account at any time (Galaxus). Galaxus's customer service can't see your codes, so it can't send them to you if you lose them.
With Novaz these codes matter too: unless you turn on iCloud backup or export a backup file, Novaz keeps its keys only on your iPhone. Keep the codes on paper or in a password manager, not only on that phone. More in 2FA backup codes.
When Galaxus asks for a code
The help center says that once 2FA is on, Galaxus asks for a code each time you log in and also when you make purchases (Galaxus Help Center). The 2024 interview describes it more loosely, as confirming new logins such as a first sign-in on a new laptop (Galaxus). Either way, keep Novaz at hand when you sign in and when you check out.
If Galaxus rejects your code
Galaxus's only advice for multi-factor trouble is to turn it off and set it up again, signing in with a backup code if you have to (Galaxus). Before that, check your iPhone's clock: Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when the clock is 15 seconds or more off. Other causes are in Authenticator code not working?
Changing phones
Galaxus's route for a new phone or a new app: sign in with a backup code, turn 2FA off, turn it on again, and link the new app with the steps above (Galaxus). If you have a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you can restore your accounts on the new iPhone instead and skip the re-setup. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.
If you lose your authenticator
Use a backup code to get in, then set up 2FA again. If you've lost the codes too, Galaxus's customer service can switch 2FA off for you, but only on a written request (Galaxus Help Center):
- Send it by email, from the email address saved in your Galaxus customer account. Asking in the chat isn't enough.
- Attach a copy of your ID document.
- Galaxus only acts if every detail you give matches the account.
The login help page points you to the Galaxus Assistant to reach customer service, and says the team will tell you what to do next (Galaxus). Neither page says how long the check takes. More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
Turning 2FA off
Sign in, open your account settings, scroll to Password and security and choose Deactivate two-factor authentication (Galaxus Help Center). After that, remove the entry in Novaz: open it and tap Remove account.
