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How to set up two-factor authentication for your Skype account

How-to
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Skype On Iphone With 2fa
Skype On Iphone With 2fa (Image credit: iMore)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts by requiring you to enter the second piece of secure info (other than your password) to sign in. You can put 2FA on a lot of things — and you should put it on everything possible — and it's super helpful in preventing people from accessing your accounts maliciously.

Skype accounts support two-factor authentication via a phone number or authenticator app. Here's how you can set up 2FA on your Skype account.

In case you didn't know, Skype is owned by Microsoft so your Skype account is a Microsoft account. Tp set up two-factor authentication on SKype, you need to set it up on your Microsoft account. Here's how you can do it via text!

  1. Open your Microsoft account online.
  2. Click Sign-in and enter your credentials if prompted.
  3. Click the Security tab.

Sign Into Microsoft Account Online: Open your Microsoft account, click sign-in, and then click the security tab. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click the Turn on option for Two-factor authentication at the top of the page.
  2. Click Set up two-step verification.

Security Menu Microsoft Account: Click turn on option for two-factor authentication and then click set up two-factor authentication (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Next.
  2. Click *A phone number** from the dropdown menu.

Choose Your Method Of 2Fa: Click next and then choose a phone number. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter your phone number.
  2. Click Next.

Enter Your Phone Number: enter your phone number and then click next (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter the code you received via text message.
  2. Click Next.

Enter Confirmation Code In Security Settings: Enter confirmation code and then click next. (Image credit: iMore)

Now anytime you sign in to your Skype account, you'll need to enter the confirmation code that will be texted to you.

How to enable two-factor authentication for Skype via authentication app

Every authentication app is a tad different, but setting up 2FA with an app is a similar process for regardless of which one your pick. For this example, I used the Google Authenticator app for iPhone.

  1. Open your Microsoft account online.
  2. Click Sign-in and enter your credentials if prompted.
  3. Click the Security tab.

Sign Into Microsoft Account Online: Open your Microsoft account, click sign-in, and then click the security tab. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click the Turn on option for Two-factor authentication at the top of the page.
  2. Click Set up two-step verification.

Security Menu Microsoft Account: Click turn on option for two-factor authentication and then click set up two-factor authentication (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Next.
  2. Choose An app form the dropdown menu.

Choose App For 2fa Microsoft Account: click next, and then choose an app from the dropdown menu. (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Set up a different authenticator app.
  2. Follow the prompts on the screen
  3. Click Next when completed.

Set Up Authenticator App On Microsoft Account: Click set up with a different authenticator app and then follow the instructions. Click next when completed. (Image credit: iMore)

That's it! now you'll need to enter the confirmation code from your authenticator app every time you want to sign in to Skype.

Any Questions?

Let us know in the comments down below!

Updated July 2020: Updated to show new steps for setting up 2FA for Skype.

Keep yourself secure on the web

○ How to use two-factor authentication
○ How to protect your data from being hacked
○ How to quickly temporarily disable Face ID
○ Best practices for staying safe on social media
○ Best VPN services
○ How to lock down your data on iPhone and iPad
○ Best ways to increase iPhone and iPad security
○ How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and Mac
○ Differential privacy — Everything you need to know!

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.