Phrase 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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Phrase is the localization platform behind Phrase TMS, Phrase Strings and the other Phrase products. One Phrase profile signs you in to all of them through the Platform login at eu.phrase.com or us.phrase.com, depending on your data center. Existing TMS and Strings users sign in there too (Phrase). If you used Memsource before, memsource.com now forwards to phrase.com.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) on that profile works with one kind of second step: a code from an authenticator app. Phrase's profile help puts it this way: "Currently, two-factor authentication via Google Authenticator application is supported" (Phrase). Its 2FA article adds that any compatible app works (Phrase). This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone, but any authenticator app works the same way.
How we checked this guide: the Phrase steps come from Phrase's own help center, linked below, which we read on October 21, 2026, through the help center's public article feed. We haven't tested them on a Phrase account, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
Your organization may require it
Organization owners and admins can make 2FA mandatory for everyone in the organization. They turn on Enable 2FA requirement under Organization settings > Two-factor authentication and pick a Grace period of 1, 7, 14, 30, 60 or 90 days. Members without 2FA have to set it up before that period runs out (Phrase). If your admin has turned this on, the steps below are the same: you still set it up from your own profile.
Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
Phrase's help describes these steps (Phrase):
- Sign in to the Phrase Platform. From the Dashboard, open the profile icon at the top right and choose Settings/Profile. The Profile settings page opens.
- Click Security, then scroll to the Two-factor authentication section.
- Click Generate QR code.
- In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at the code on your computer screen. If the QR code is on the same iPhone, take a screenshot, tap +, then Choose a photo. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
- Type the six-digit code from Novaz in the Code field.
- Click Enable two-factor authentication.
Phrase's help only describes scanning. It doesn't mention a text key you could type instead, so plan to scan the QR code. If Phrase does show a key next to it, you can add it in Novaz with +, Enter key manually, and the Setup key field. See What is a 2FA setup key?
From then on, signing in to your Phrase profile takes your username, your password and a code from the app (Phrase). Phrase's pages don't say whether the code is also asked for when you sign in with SSO or with a Google, Microsoft or GitHub social login.
No backup codes in Phrase's help
Phrase's 2FA article doesn't mention backup or recovery codes, and it doesn't describe a second method such as text messages. So the authenticator app is your only documented way in. Without a Novaz backup (iCloud backup or a backup file), its keys exist only on your iPhone. Look in your profile's security settings after setup in case Phrase offers codes there. If it does, save them away from your phone. See 2FA backup codes.
If Phrase rejects your code
For problems with the app itself, Phrase points you to the app's own help (Phrase). The most common 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. Also make sure you're signing in to the right data center, EU or US (Phrase). More causes are in Authenticator code not working?
Changing phones
Phrase's only advice on a new phone is about Google Authenticator: its codes follow your Google account or can be exported from that app (Phrase). With Novaz, iCloud backup or a backup file lets you restore your accounts on the new iPhone instead. Without one, you'll have to link the new phone, and Phrase doesn't document a way to turn off or reset 2FA in your profile, so before you give up the old phone, ask Phrase support how to link the new one. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.
If you lose your authenticator
Phrase's help doesn't describe a recovery process for a lost authenticator. The documented contact points are the help form at support.phrase.com/hc/en-us/requests/new, the help widget at the bottom right of Phrase, and support@phrase.com (Phrase). The same policy says your organization handles first-level support for its own users, so if you sign in through a company account, ask your Phrase admin first. Phrase doesn't say what proof it asks for or how long a reset takes.
Phrase's Forgot password? page covers resetting the password only and says nothing about 2FA (Phrase). More in Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
