Jottacloud 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app

Jottacloud is a Norwegian cloud storage service for backing up photos, syncing folders and keeping files online. Two-factor authentication (2FA) isn't required, but Jottacloud strongly recommends it. You can get the sign-in code from an authenticator app or by text message, and Jottacloud prefers the app because it's more reliable and because only the app option comes with recovery codes (Jottacloud).

One thing to know before you start: Jottacloud gives you the recovery codes first, then the QR code. Have a safe place ready for them. This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.

How we checked this guide: the Jottacloud steps come from Jottacloud's own help center, linked below, which we read on October 21, 2026. We haven't tested them on a Jottacloud 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

Jottacloud's help article, last updated March 4, 2025, describes these steps (Jottacloud):

1. Sign in to Jottacloud in a web browser and go to www.jottacloud.com/web/secure. That's the security tab of your account settings (Jottacloud).
2. In the two-factor authentication settings, choose App as your method. The other choice is SMS.
3. Jottacloud now shows your recovery codes. Download or copy them and store them somewhere other than your iPhone.
4. Jottacloud shows a QR code. In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it. If the page is open on the same iPhone, take a screenshot, tap +, then Choose a photo. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
5. If you can't scan it, use the text code Jottacloud shows instead. Its help calls this a "one-time code", but it's the setup key for your app, not a sign-in code. In Novaz, tap +, then Enter key manually, fill in Service (for example, Jottacloud), optionally Account, and type the code as the Setup key. See What is a 2FA setup key?
6. Type the six-digit code from Novaz on the Jottacloud page. 2FA is now on.

Jottacloud's help says the codes have six digits but doesn't say how often they change. A typed key always gives you 6-digit codes every 30 seconds in Novaz, so scanning the QR code is the safer choice: it carries the code settings with it.

Recovery codes are your backup

Jottacloud suggests authenticator apps that back up their codes, and names Authy and 1Password as examples (Jottacloud). Novaz can do that too, with iCloud backup (PRO) or a password-protected backup file, both under Settings › Backup; without one, its keys stay on that iPhone. Keep the recovery codes from step 3 anyway: they get you back in after a lost or broken phone when there's no Novaz backup, or only an old one, so keep them in a password manager or on paper. The help center doesn't say how many codes you get, whether each works only once, or how to make new ones. More on storing them in 2FA backup codes.

When Jottacloud asks for a code

Once 2FA is on, Jottacloud asks for a six-digit code at every login, after your username and password (Jottacloud).

It also changes one other check. Jottacloud compares your password with public lists of leaked passwords when you log in with email and password. If it finds a match, it normally emails you an authentication code to confirm the account is yours. It skips that email when you have 2FA turned on, or when you log in with Facebook, Google or Apple (Jottacloud). The help center doesn't say whether the authenticator code is asked for when you sign in through Facebook, Google or Apple.

If Jottacloud rejects your code

Jottacloud's help doesn't cover rejected codes. Most of the time the cause is the iPhone's clock. 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 or turning 2FA off

The help center doesn't explain how to turn 2FA off or how to move it to a new phone. In Novaz, an iCloud backup or backup file lets you restore your accounts on the new iPhone. Without one, don't wipe the old phone until Jottacloud is working with the new one. If you can't find a way to do that in the security settings, ask Jottacloud Support first. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

1. Use a recovery code. Jottacloud gives them to app users for exactly this case (Jottacloud).
2. Cut off the lost phone. If the phone also had the Jottacloud app on it, sign in on another device, open the security tab and find the phone under Authenticated devices. Press the X next to it to revoke its access. Backups from that device stop until someone logs in on it again (Jottacloud).
3. No recovery codes? The help center doesn't describe an account recovery process for 2FA, what proof it asks for, or how long it takes. Contact Jottacloud Support at support@jottacloud.com or by phone on +47 21 04 29 00, Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00 (Jottacloud).

More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Official Jottacloud help

• How to activate two-factor authentication in Jottacloud
• Remote control logged in devices and browsers in Jottacloud
• What does Jottacloud do to prevent data leakage of login information?
• Contact Jottacloud support