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How to set up two-factor authentication for Twitter

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Twitter app privacy settings
Twitter app privacy settings (Image credit: iMore)
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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. While it's definitely one of the best Social media apps, you'll want to protect your account by enabling Twitter's two-factor authentication (2FA) options both on your best iPhone or best Mac: Here's how.

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

How to enable 2FA via text message 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.

Opening Settings And Privacy Menu In Twitter In iOS 15: Launch Twitter, tap your profile bubble in the top left of your screen, and then tap settings and privacy. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Security and account access.
  2. Tap Security.
  3. Tap Two-factor authentication.

Opening Two Factor Authentication Menu In Twitter In iOS 15: Tap Security and account access, tap security, and tap two-facto authentication: Click security and then click two-factor authentication (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the Text Message On/Off Switch.
  2. Tap Get Started.
  3. Enter your Twitter password.

Setting Up 2FA With Text In Twitter On iOS 15: Tap the text message on/off switch, tap get started, and then enter your twitter password (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Verify.
  2. Tap Send Code.
  3. Enter the confirmation code you received via text message.

Setting Up 2FA With Text In Twitter In iOS 15: Tap verify, tap send code, and then enter the confirmation code. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Next
  2. Tap Got it.

Setting Up 2FA With Text In Twitter In iOS 15: Tap next and then tap got it. (Image credit: iMoe)

Don't forget to save the backup code somewhere secure in case you ever have to use it. Now you'll need to enter the confirmation code sent to you via text message whenever you sign in to Twitter.

How to enable 2FA via authentication app for Twitter on iPhone and iPad

There's a bunch of different authentication apps out there, and the process for setting them up for Twitter may vary slightly. For this example, I've used the Google Authenticator app.

  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.

Opening Settings And Privacy Menu In Twitter In iOS 15: Launch Twitter, tap your profile bubble in the top left of your screen, and then tap settings and privacy. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Security and account access.
  2. Tap Security.
  3. Tap Two-factor authentication.

Opening Two Factor Authentication Menu In Twitter In iOS 15: Tap Security and account access, tap security, and tap two-facto authentication: Click security and then click two-factor authentication (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap the Authentication app On/Off Switch.
  2. Tap Start.
  3. Enter your password and tap verify

Setting Up 2fa With App In Twitter In IOS 15: Tap the authentication app on/off switch, tap start, and then enter your password. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Link app now.
  2. Tap Open to open your authentication app.
  3. Tap YES to allow your authentication app to add a new token.

Twitter Authentication App Open: Tap link app now, tap open, and then tap yes. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Twitter in the top left corner to go back to the Twitter app.
  2. Enter the confirmation code from your authentication app.
  3. Tap Verify.

Twitter Authentication App Finish Set Up: tap Twitter in the top left corner, enter the confirmation code, and then tap verify. (Image credit: iMore)

Now anytime you sign in to Twitter, you'll need to enter the confirmation code from your authentication app.

How to enable 2FA via text message 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 More in the sidebar to the left.

Opening More Settings From Your Twitter Profile On Mac: Go to Twitter in your web browser, click the profile bubble, and then click more in the sidebar. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Settings and privacy.
  2. Click Security an account access.

Opening Security Settings In Twitter On Mac (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Security.
  2. Click Two-Factor Authentication.

Opening Two Factor Authenticatio On Twitter On Mac: Tap security and then click two-factor-authentication (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click the Text Message checkbox.
  2. Click Get Started.

Start Text Message Authentication Twitter For Web: Click text message checkbox and then click get tarted (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter your password.
  2. Click Verify.

Confirm Password For Twitter On Web: Enter your password and then click verify. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Send Code.
  2. Enter the confirmation code from the text message.

Enter Text Message Code For Twitter On Web: Click send code and then enter the confirmation code from the text message. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Next.
  2. Click Got it.

Finish Text Message Authentication Set Up Twitter On Web: Click next and then click got it. (Image credit: iMore)

Don't forget to save the backup code somewhere secure in case you ever have to use it. Now every time you sign in to Twitter, you'll need to enter the confirmation code that will be sent to you via text message.

How to enable 2FA via authentication app for Twitter on your computer

There's a bunch of different authentication apps out there, and the process for setting them up for Twitter may vary slightly. For this example, I've used the Google Authenticator app to get an idea of how it works.

  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 More in the sidebar to the left.

Opening More Settings From Your Twitter Profile On Mac: Go to Twitter in your web browser, click the profile bubble, and then click more in the sidebar. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Settings and privacy.
  2. Click Security an account access.

Opening Security Settings In Twitter On Mac (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Security.
  2. Click Two-Factor Authentication.

Opening Two Factor Authenticatio On Twitter On Mac: Tap security and then click two-factor-authentication (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click the Authentication app checkbox.
  2. Click Start.

Set Up Authentication App Twitter For Web: Click the authentication checkbox and then click start. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter your password.
  2. Click Verify.

Password Verification On Twotter For Web: Enter your password and then click verify. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Launch your authenticator app on your phone.
  2. Scan the barcode on the computer screen.

Scan Barcode With Authenticator App: Launch your authenticator app and then scan the barcode on your computer screen.

Scan Barcode With Authenticator App: Launch your authenticator app and then scan the barcode on your computer screen. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Next.
  2. Enter the confirmation code from your authenticator app.

Authentication Confirmation Code Twitter For Web: Click next and then enter the confirmation code. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Verify.
  2. Click Got it.

Finish Authetication App Set Up Twitter For Web: Click verify and then click got it. (Image credit: iMore)

Now anytime you log in to Twitter, you'll need to launch your authenticator app and use the confirmation code to complete the login process.

How to generate a temporary Twitter password on iPhone and iPad

Once you have two-factor authentication enabled via text message or an authentication app, you'll be able to set up a temporary password. You can use it when you sign into third-party apps and services or if you ever use a device that's not your own.

  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.

Opening Settings And Privacy Menu In Twitter In iOS 15: Launch Twitter, tap your profile bubble in the top left of your screen, and then tap settings and privacy. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Security and account access.
  2. Tap Security.
  3. Tap Two-factor authentication.

Opening Two Factor Authentication Menu In Twitter In iOS 15: Tap Security and account access, tap security, and tap two-facto authentication: Click security and then click two-factor authentication (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap Temporary Password It's at the bottom of the menu.
  2. Tap Generate a new password.

Generating Temporary Password On Twitter In iOS 15: Tap temporary password, and then tap generate new password. (Image credit: iMore)

A new temporary password will automatically generate, and you can now use that password to log in to your Twitter. The password will expire after one hour.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments.

Update October 2021: Updated for the newest version of Twitter on iOS and iPadOS.

Luke Filipowicz
Luke Filipowicz
Staff Writer

Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way. 

Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.