Adding 2-Step Verification to Your 23andMe Account

2-Step Verification (also known as 2-Factor Authentication or Multi-Factor Authentication) allows you to add an extra layer of security to your 23andMe account. 2-Step Verification is an optional feature in your account settings, which can be enabled or disabled at any time. 

By adding 2-Step Verification to your 23andMe account, you’ll log in to your account in two steps:

1. Enter your account email address and password
2. Enter the verification code from a connected authenticator app on your mobile device

Enabling 2-Step Verification in Your 23andMe Account

You can enable 2-Step Verification in your 23andMe account at any time from within your account settings.

To enable 2-Step Verification:

1. Navigate to your account settings and click “Set up 2-Step Verification” under the Account Information section
2. Enter your 23andMe account password
3. Scan the QR code into your preferred authenticator app
4. Enter the verification token shown in your authenticator app

What is an Authenticator Application?

An authenticator application adds a 2-Step Verification process using a time-sensitive verification code. If you want to enable 2-Step Verification in your account, you’ll first need to download an authenticator app on your mobile device before being able to connect it to your 23andMe account in your account settings. 

Google Authenticator™ mobile app  is a popular authenticator option, but you can use any application that supports the Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) protocol. 

Disabling 2-Step Verification in Your 23andMe Account

You can disable 2-Step Verification in your 23andMe account at any time from within your account settings. 

To disable 2-Step Verification:

1. Navigate to your and click “Disable 2-Step Verification” under the Account Information section
2. Enter your 23andMe account password
3. Enter the verification token shown in your authenticator app

If you have lost access to the mobile device with the connected authenticator app, contact us for assistance. 

Recovering Access to 2-Step Verification Account

If you cannot provide the verification code needed to sign in to your 23andMe account, you can recover access to your account through our 2-Step Verification Recovery Method.

To recover access to 2-Step Verification account:

1. Visit the 23andMe Sign in page here.
2. Enter your account email address and password.
3. Click the “Can’t access your authenticator app?” link.
4. Click the “Email me a link” button
5. Locate the message titled “Your one-click login link” in your account email address inbox (this link will only be valid for 15 minutes).
6. Click the “Verify Login” button
7. Enter your account password
8. Click the “Disable” button

After confirming your request to disable 2-Step Verification from your account, you will automatically be signed in to your account and directed to your account settings.

If you would like, you can re-enable 2-Step Verification in your 23andMe account at any time from within your account settings.

If you are unable to provide the verification code to sign in to your account and you are experiencing difficulty recovering access to your account, contact us for assistance.

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