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Novaz AuthenticatorGET

Niconico 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
  1. Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
  2. Create your backup codes yourself
  3. When Niconico asks for a code
  4. If Niconico rejects your code
  5. Changing phones
  6. If you lose your authenticator
  7. Turning 2FA off
  8. Official Niconico help

Your Niconico account (ニコニコアカウント) is the sign-in for Niconico's video site, live streams, channels and Premium membership. Two-step verification (2段階認証) has been optional since April 2016 (Niconico), except for the Creator Incentive Program for uploaders, which has required it since 2022 (Niconico). After the cyberattack of June 8, 2024, Niconico reset every password and asked all users to turn it on, or set it up again if they already had it (Niconico).

The 6-digit confirmation code (確認コード) comes either from an authenticator app, "Google Authenticator or a compatible app" in Niconico's words, or by email to your registered address (Niconico). This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone. Any authenticator app works the same way.

Niconico says its site is shown only in Japanese (Niconico), so labels below come from its Japanese help, with a translation. The English help article's screenshots show English labels, which may not match your screen.

How we checked this guide: the Niconico steps come from Niconico's own help center, in Japanese and English, and its official Niconico Info announcements, including their screenshots, linked below, which we read on October 20, 2026. We haven't tested them on a Niconico 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

  1. Sign in to Niconico, on a computer if you can, so your iPhone is free to scan.
  2. Open the security settings page (セキュリティ設定) at account.nicovideo.jp/my/security. Niconico's announcements link there for the setup (Niconico).
  3. Find the row 2段階認証の設定 (two-step verification settings) and start the setup. Niconico's help only pictures this row once it's on, so the first button's label isn't shown.
  4. Pick the smartphone method. The help names the two methods お手持ちのスマートフォンで発行 (issue on your smartphone) and 登録メールアドレス宛に送信 (send to your registered email) (Niconico).
  5. Add Niconico to Novaz. The help doesn't say whether you get a QR code, a text key or both. For a QR code, tap +, then Scan QR code, or screenshot it and use Choose a photo if it's on the same iPhone (how). For a key, tap +, then Enter key manually, and type it as the Setup key (about setup keys). Prefer the QR code: Niconico doesn't publish its key length or code interval.
  6. If Niconico asks for a code to confirm, type the 6-digit code Novaz shows.

Afterwards the row reads 設定済み (set up), next to a 解除する (turn off) button (Niconico).

Create your backup codes yourself

Niconico doesn't hand you backup codes during setup. You make them on the same security page: click 作成 (create) in the バックアップコード作成 row. Niconico's screenshot shows ten 8-digit codes, and each works only once. バックアップコードを再作成 (recreate) gives you a new set and cancels every old code (Niconico).

Do it right after setup. Niconico's 2022 announcement also suggested an authenticator app with cloud backup (Niconico). Novaz offers iCloud backup (PRO) and a password-protected backup file under Settings › Backup. Keep these codes anyway: they get you in if the phone is gone and your Novaz backup is missing or out of date. Print them or keep them in a password manager. More in 2FA backup codes.

When Niconico asks for a code

  • At sign-in: after your password. A computer or phone you've verified before can skip it, and the security page links to your trusted devices (Niconico).
  • From outside Japan: Niconico says it always emails a confirmation code to your registered address when you use the site from abroad (Niconico). It doesn't say whether that replaces the app code or comes on top of it, so keep that mailbox working.
  • Creator Incentive Program: since early 2022, registering a work for the program or opening its score page asks you to set up two-step verification first (Niconico).

If Niconico rejects your code

Niconico's help suggests two checks: that your phone's date and time are right, and that you're typing the code for niconico rather than another account (Niconico). 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

Niconico names a phone change as a reason to keep backup codes (Niconico), and its phone-change article only says your account carries over (Niconico). Neither explains moving the authenticator. With the controls the help shows, you can turn it off with 解除する while the old phone works, then set it up again on the new one. If you have a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you can restore the account on the new iPhone instead; without one, use the route above. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

On the two-step verification screen, choose バックアップコードを使用してログイン (sign in with a backup code) and enter one you haven't used (Niconico).

Without backup codes, Niconico's account support desk checks your details and removes two-step verification. Its help explains how (Niconico):

  • Email nicoac-support@dwango.co.jp from your account's registered email address. The button on the help page fills in the subject and the questions.
  • Give your date of birth as set on the account, in the form YYYY/MM/DD.
  • Give the names or URLs of channels the account follows, or "なし" (none).

You won't get a receipt email. The desk works weekdays from 11:00 to 18:00 and replies in about one to three business days, longer around weekends and Japanese holidays. If you used the email method and that mailbox is gone, Niconico has a separate process to change the address (Niconico). More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Turning 2FA off

Use 解除する in the 2段階認証の設定 row, as shown in Niconico's screenshot (Niconico). The help doesn't describe the steps after it. Creator Incentive Program members need it on.

Official Niconico help

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