RealMe 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app for your RealMe login
By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5
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Your RealMe login is the username and password for New Zealand government services online, such as your Inland Revenue account or a visa application (RealMe). Whether you need two-factor authentication (2FA) depends on the service you log in to (RealMe). MyIR, My Firearms and jobs.govt are among those RealMe lists as needing it (RealMe). The code comes from an authenticator app or a text message, and some people have a RealMe token (RealMe).
This guide uses Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone. Other authenticator apps follow the same steps, with one caveat below.
How we checked this guide: the RealMe steps come from RealMe's own help page, terms of use, privacy statement and developer site, linked below, which we read on October 19, 2026. We haven't tested them on a RealMe login, so a label may differ slightly. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.
Which app RealMe expects
RealMe's pages disagree here. Its terms of use, last changed in 2018 (RealMe), recommend Google Authenticator and advise against other apps, which "have not been tested for compatibility or security" (RealMe). Its current help page also recommends Google Authenticator, but says that without a mobile phone you can use any time-based one-time password (TOTP) desktop app or browser extension (RealMe).
Novaz makes standard time-based codes, but RealMe hasn't tested it. If you'd rather follow the terms exactly, use Google Authenticator. The RealMe steps are the same.
Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
There are two ways in (RealMe, RealMe):
- The first time a service needs extra security, RealMe asks you to set up second-factor authentication by text or with an authenticator app. Choose the app.
- If you already get text codes, log in from the RealMe home page, open the Settings tab and choose Change your Authenticator App. RealMe's developer site calls it Change your App Authenticator (RealMe), so the label may differ.
RealMe then shows a QR code:
- In Novaz, tap +, then Scan QR code, and point the camera at it.
- If RealMe is open on the same iPhone, take a screenshot. In Novaz, tap +, then Choose a photo. See scanning a QR code on the same iPhone.
- Type the 6-digit code from Novaz into the Confirmation Code field. Click Confirm Code, or Save changes at the top right if you started from Settings.
Avoid the link under the QR code, Unable to scan the QR code? Click here., on an iPhone: RealMe's help warns it may open Apple's built-in password manager instead. See Apple Passwords vs an authenticator app.
RealMe's help also mentions a key shown on screen for manual setup. To use it, tap +, then Enter key manually, with RealMe as the Service and the key as the Setup key (What is a 2FA setup key?). RealMe says its codes are 6 digits and time-based, but not how often they change. A typed key in Novaz always uses 30 seconds, so scanning the QR code is the safer choice.
When RealMe asks for a code
RealMe asks whenever you log in to a service that requires second-factor authentication (RealMe), and when you change some details under Settings in your RealMe account (RealMe).
Backups: text codes and the Help Desk
RealMe's pages don't mention backup or recovery codes. A Novaz backup (iCloud backup or a backup file) lets you restore your codes on a new iPhone, but if the phone is lost without one, the keys go with it. So a second way in matters:
- Text codes. With your mobile number registered too, you can use either method. Only New Zealand and Australian mobile numbers can be added (RealMe), and some people with Australian numbers are asked to register an authenticator app instead (RealMe).
- Your security questions. RealMe uses your answers when you contact the Help Desk (RealMe).
If RealMe rejects your code
RealMe's help doesn't cover rejected authenticator codes. Check your iPhone's clock: Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically. Novaz warns you when it's 15 seconds or more off. If you typed the key and RealMe rejects the first code, open RealMe in Novaz, tap Remove account, and scan the QR code instead. More in Authenticator code not working?
Changing phones
RealMe's help doesn't describe moving to a new phone. The only place it names for linking an app is Change your Authenticator App, described for adding one. If you try it there, do it while the old iPhone still works, since RealMe may ask for a code. If you keep a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, restoring it on the new iPhone brings RealMe across; without one, a new phone means setting RealMe up again (How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone).
If you lose your authenticator
Phone the RealMe Help Desk on 0800 664 774, as RealMe's help says (RealMe), or +64 4 462 0674 from overseas. It's open 24/7 (RealMe). The terms of use ask you to call at once if a phone you use for RealMe codes is lost or stolen, so it can be disabled for your login (RealMe).
Expect to answer your security questions. RealMe doesn't say how long a reset takes; its developer glossary says the Help Desk usually solves problems on the first call (RealMe). See Lost the phone with your authenticator app?
Turning 2FA off
RealMe's help doesn't describe turning it off or removing an authenticator app. A mobile number registered for codes can't be deleted yourself: call the Help Desk (RealMe).
