---
title: "Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)"
description: "How to set up 2FA within Ability8 and access secured user information."
url: https://help.ability8.app/en/articles/75-two-factor-authentication-2fa
collection: "Manage Users"
updated: 2026-10-28
language: en
---

# Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

How to set up 2FA within Ability8 and access secured user information.

In addition to your login credentials, two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra level of security to protect your family account and sensitive information such as bank accounts, staff employment details, tax and superannuation.

2FA requires a third-party authenticator app to generate a secure one-time code that enables you to access your family account when logging in and/or access secured areas within the app.

> **Info:** If you directly employ staff, those users will also need to set up 2FA in their own user profiles to be able to access their bank account, employment, tax and super information.

[Watch video in a new tab](https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/746381101)

## **Install an authenticator app on your mobile device**

1.  Download and install an authenticator app from your device’s app store. Follow the installation instructions provided for your device to add an account.
    
2.  If you already have an authenticator app, add another account for Ability8.
    

## **Enable 2FA within Ability8**

1.  Once you're logged in, click your **name (**top right corner) to go to your User profile.
    
2.  Click the **Security** tab.
    
3.  Click **Edit** button (top right hand corner).
    
4.  To turn on 2FA to secure only sensitive user information, enable the **Two Factor Authentication** setting (This is where the padlock icon appears throughout the app and is most commonly used).
    
5.  To turn on 2FA for every account login, enable the **Two Factor Authentication On Login** setting. Note: You can only set one switch on at a time, not both at the same time.
    
6.  Open the authenticator app on your mobile device and scan the QR code displayed on screen in Ability8.
    
7.  Click **Activate**.
    
8.  Enter the **authentication code** generated by your authenticator app.
    
9.  Click **Verify**.
    
10.  Click **Save**.
     

You are now set up to use 2FA next time you log in or access a secured area (indicated by a padlock icon) in Ability8.

## Using 2FA to log in or access a secured area

1.  Enter your **Administrator password**.
    
2.  Open your **authenticator app** and generate a one-time code for Ability8.
    
3.  Enter the **code** and click **Verify**.