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Novaz AuthenticatorGET

VK 2FA: how to set up an authenticator app for your VK ID

By the Novaz team · Updated October 29, 2026
Novaz steps checked against version 1.0.5

On this page
  1. Before you start
  2. Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app
  3. Save your backup codes
  4. Signing in with 2FA on
  5. If VK rejects your code
  6. Changing phones
  7. If you lose your authenticator
  8. Turning 2FA off
  9. Official VK help

You sign in to VK, the social network once called VKontakte, with a VK ID: one account for VK and the company's other services (VK ID). Many VK ID accounts have no password. They sign in with a one-time code by text message, push notification, email or phone call. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is how you get a password back: with it on, you sign in with your login, a code and your password (VK).

2FA isn't required. But a password is only allowed with 2FA on, and turning 2FA off resets the password (VK ID, VK). The code can come by text, call, push notification or a code generator app (VK ID). This guide sets up the app with Authenticator App - Novaz on iPhone. Any authenticator app works the same way.

How we checked this guide: the VK steps come from VK's own help pages, linked below, which we read on October 20, 2026. VK's help is only in Russian, so we give its Russian labels in bold with our English translation; with VK set to English, the wording will differ. We haven't tested the steps on a VK account. The Novaz steps are checked against the app, version 1.0.5.

Before you start

VK's help says an account with 2FA needs a current phone number and email address. Without both, the only way back in is a longer request where you prove who you are. It also wants photos in which you can be recognized (VK ID), and VK's security team adds your real name (VK). If your profile lacks these, read the recovery section below first.

Turn on 2FA with an authenticator app

  1. On the VK website, select your profile photo in the top right, then Управление аккаунтом VK ID (Manage VK ID account). In the app, it's under Настройки (Settings) (VK).
  2. Open Безопасность (Security).
  3. Under Способы входа (Sign-in methods), select Двухфакторная аутентификация (Two-factor authentication) (VK ID).
  4. Choose Приложение для генерации кодов (Code generator app). This label comes from a VK security team article that calls the tab Безопасность и вход (Security and sign-in), so names may differ slightly (VK).
  5. If your account has no password yet, you create one while turning on 2FA (VK ID).

VK's help doesn't describe the setup screen, or how long its codes are or how often they change. In Novaz:

Prefer the QR code: it carries VK's code settings, while a typed key always gets 6 digits every 30 seconds. Then type the code from Novaz into VK to finish.

Save your backup codes

VK gives you ten backup codes. Each works once, typed without spaces. Find them under Безопасность > Двухфакторная аутентификация > Дополнительные варианты входа (More sign-in options), after confirming the action (VK ID).

The list changes after every password reset, and also if you open it several times (VK ID). Save it once, keep it away from your phone, and save the new list after a password change. If your phone is lost and there's no Novaz backup to restore, these codes are how you get back in. See 2FA backup codes.

Signing in with 2FA on

VK asks for a code when you sign in on a new device (VK ID). After you enter your login and select Войти (Sign in), VK texts or calls you. With a call, the code is the last digits of the calling number. If you've set up an authenticator app, you can type its code instead. The password comes last (VK).

VK chooses between text and call itself, and you can't change that (VK ID).

If VK rejects your code

VK's help doesn't cover authenticator codes that fail. The usual 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. If you typed the key, remove VK from Novaz and scan the QR code instead. More in Authenticator code not working?

Changing phones

VK doesn't document moving the code generator to a new phone. With a Novaz iCloud backup or backup file, you restore your accounts on the new iPhone and the VK codes keep working; without one, you set VK up again on the new one. Before you wipe the old phone, check that you have unused backup codes and still get texts on your VK number. See How to transfer your authenticator app to a new iPhone.

If you lose your authenticator

Use a backup code, or the text or call VK sends to your number. If neither works, start recovery (VK ID):

  1. On the sign-in screen, enter your phone number or email and select Забыли пароль? (Forgot password?). With 2FA on, select Восстановить доступ к аккаунту (Restore access to account) where you choose how to confirm.
  2. Confirm a phone number or email you can reach, and pick your account. The form has buttons for when you can reach neither.
  3. Because of 2FA, VK asks for one more check: a code to your account's email, help from friends, proof of identity, or Russia's Gosuslugi government portal. Not every account gets every option.

Proof of identity means a photo of you, taken next to the screen showing your request on a computer or as a selfie with head turns on a phone, plus a photo of an ID document. VK says a review takes about 3 hours and sends the result by text (VK ID). See Lost the phone with your authenticator app?

Turning 2FA off

Go to Безопасность > Способы входа > Двухфакторная аутентификация. Under Способы подтверждения входа (Sign-in confirmation methods), select the three dots on the right, then Отключить (Turn off) (VK ID). Your password is reset and you go back to signing in without one (VK). Then, in Novaz, open VK and tap Remove account.

Official VK help

In Russian; the English descriptions are ours.

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