Twitter can be a powerful mouthpiece for you, your brand, or your business — and an even more powerful weapon if your login credentials fall into the wrong hands. You can protect your account by enabling Twitter's two-factor authentication (2FA) options: Here's how.

To prevent your Twitter account from being compromised by enterprising hoodlums or hackers, there are a couple options available to you.

How to enable 2FA for Twitter on iPhone and iPad

  1. Launch the Twitter app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap the profile bubble on the top left of your screen.
  3. Tap Settings and privacy.
  4. Tap Account.

  5. Tap Security.

    Tap Settings and privacy, tap Account, tap Security

  6. Tap the switch next to Login verification.
  7. Tap Confirm.
  8. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  9. Enter the six-digit code that you're sent.

  10. Tap Submit.

    Tap the switch, tap Confirm, follow the on-screen instructions

You'll now be required to enter a six-digit code every time you log out and sign back into Twitter.

How to enable 2FA for Twitter on your computer

When you log in to your Twitter account via app or Web browser, you can get the service to send you a code to your phone number that you must first input before gaining access to your account. Setting it up is easy:

  1. Visit Twitter on your computer and log in if you're not already.
  2. Click the profile bubble on the upper right next to Tweet.
  3. Click Settings and privacy.
  4. Click Account in the menu on the left.
  5. Click Set up login verification.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  7. Click Send code after entering your phone number.

  8. Enter the six-digit code you receive on your phone and click Submit.

    Click Settings and privacy, click Account, click Set up login verification, follow the on-screen instructions

How to generate a temporary Twitter password on iPhone and iPad

Once you have 2FA enabled, you'll be able to set up a temporary password to use when you sign into third-party apps and services.

  1. Launch the Twitter app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap the profile bubble on the top left of your screen.
  3. Tap Settings and privacy.
  4. Tap Account.
  5. Tap Security.

  6. Tap Temporary password under Additional methods.

    Tap Settings and privacy, tap Account, tap Security

A new temporary password will automatically generate.

How to add a personal information requirement to your Twitter password reset on your computer

If you'd rather not enable two-factor authentication at this time but still want it to be a little bit harder for evildoers to hack your Twitter account, you can require Twitter to request additional information from you in the event of a password reset, like your email address or phone number. You can only enable this from Twittter.com.

  1. Visit Twitter.com on your computer.
  2. Click the profile bubble on the top right of your screen.
  3. Click Settings and privacy.
  4. Click Account.
  5. Click the checkbox next to Password reset verification.
  6. Click Save changes.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments.

Serenity Caldwell contributed to an earlier version of this guide.