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How to enable 2FA with an Authenticator app (TOTP)
How to enable 2FA with an Authenticator app (TOTP)

Switching 2FA method from SMS to TOTP (authenticator app)

Updated over a week ago

It is best practice to upgrade to using an Authenticator app based 2FA to increase the security of your Shakepay account. You also benefit from being able to access 2FA codes when you travel.


Enabling 2FA with an Authenticator app

  1. Download an Authenticator app from your phone's app store. We recommend Google Authenticator (iOS, Android) or Microsoft Authenticator (iOS, Android).

  2. Open the Shakepay app and log in.

  3. Click the settings wheel at the bottom right of your screen.

  4. Click Security & privacy.

  5. Toggle the Authenticator app button.

  6. Click Copy Secret.

  7. Open the Authenticator app that you downloaded from your phone's app store (Google authenticator in our example).

  8. Click Add a code.

  9. Click Enter a setup key.

  10. Enter Shakepay as the Account name.

  11. Paste in the secret that you copied from the Shakepay app into the Key field.

  12. Click Add.

  13. Your Shakepay code has now been added to the Authenticator app but we still need to link it to your Shakepay account, these codes expire every 30 seconds.

  14. Click on the code when a new one generates (In our example, click the 396 117)

  15. Head back to the Shakepay app and click Next.

  16. Enter the copied code from the authenticator app into the field below.

  17. Click Confirm.

  18. You will now see the Authenticator app button as green.

Congratulations, you've now enabled TOTP (time based one time passwords) as your means of 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication).

You will use these codes when logging into your account in replacement of the SMS text message codes you were receiving previously.

Image showing steps 7 to 9 to install Authenticator as 2FA: 7. Open the Authenticator app that you downloaded from your phone's app store (Google authenticator in our example).  8. Click Add a code.  9. Click Enter a setup key.

Image showing steps 10 to 15 to install Authenticator as 2FA: 10. Enter Shakepay as the Account name.  11. Paste in the secret that you copied from the Shakepay app into the Key field.  12. Click Add.  13. Your Shakepay code has now been added to the Authenticator app but we still need to link it to your Shakepay account, these codes expire every 30 seconds.  14. Click on the code when a new one generates (In our example, click the 396 117)  15. Head back to the Shakepay app and click Next.
Image showing steps 16 to 18 to install Authenticator as 2FA: 16. Enter the copied code from the authenticator app into the field below.  17. Click Confirm.  18. You will now see the Authenticator app button as green.



Congratulations, you've now enabled TOTP (time based one time passwords) as your means of 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication).

You will use these codes when logging into your account in replacement of the SMS text message codes you were receiving previously.


Troubleshoot and tips

How to reset my 2FA from Google Authenticator to SMS?

To re-enable SMS as your 2FA or update your 2FA method, follow these steps:

  1. Open the sign in screen of the Shakepay app and enter your current login credentials (even if the phone number or email needs to be updated).

  2. Click Sign in.

  3. Click on Reset authenticator on the Authenticator verification screen.

  4. Click Continue.

  5. Click Choose document.

  6. Submit a selfie and a photo of your ID to authorize Shakepay to update account info.

Image showing steps 1 to 5 to reset your 2FA to SMS: 1. Open the sign in screen of the Shakepay app and enter your current login credentials.  2. Click Sign in.  3. Click on Reset authenticator on the Authenticator verification screen.  4. Click Continue.  5. Click Choose document.

It can take up to 2 days for the verification team to review a selfie submitted. You will receive an email once your 2FA method has been set to SMS!


I lost my phone and no longer have access to my Authenticator app!

If you no longer have access to your Authenticator app, you simply need to reset your 2FA to SMS.

To re-enable SMS as your 2FA or update your 2FA method, follow these steps:

  1. Open the sign in screen of the Shakepay app and enter your current login credentials (even if the phone number or email needs to be updated).

  2. Click Sign in.

  3. Click on Reset authenticator on the Authenticator verification screen.

  4. Click Continue.

  5. Click Choose document.

  6. Submit a selfie and a photo of your ID to authorize Shakepay to update account info.

It can take up to 2 days for the verification team to review a selfie submitted. You will receive an email once your 2FA method has been set to SMS!



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