Two-factor authentication is one of the simplest and yet most effective ways of increasing your online accounts’ security.
This is the reason every app or website developer urges you to enable the two-factor authentication feature on your account.
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What is two-factor authentication?
Two-factor authentication is an added security level for your account, which requires you to enter a code sent to your email address or your phone number along with your password to login into your account.
By enabling this feature, you can make sure that your account would be more secure than just using a password.
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Even if someone guesses your password, they will not be able to login into your account without the two-factor authentication code.
How to enable two-factor authentication for Facebook account
Follow the below step-by-step instructions to successfully enable the two-factor authentication feature on your Facebook account for an added layer of security.
Step 1: Log in to your account
First, log in to your Facebook account either from the desktop or by using the mobile app or website.
Step 2: Visit the security settings page.
Go to Settings and Privacy->Settings->Security and Login.
Step 3: Select the two-factor authentication method
From the Security and Login page, select the Use two-factor authentication option under the Two-Factor authentication section.
On the next page, you will be asked to select your preferred security method.
You will have the option to choose between using an authentication app, receiving it in a text message, or using a physical security key.
Since most people don’t have access to a physical security key, you can choose between using an authentication app or receiving the code via message.
While the former option is more secure, the latter option is quicker and more convenient and need not require you to install an additional app.
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However, I would recommend you install an Authentication app to receive your two-factor authentication codes and list down the steps for that.
Step 4: Setting up the authentication app
Once you click on continue, Facebook will take you to the next page, where you can either choose to enable and set up two-factor authentication for your Facebook account manually or automatically.
However, before you proceed, go ahead and install an Authenticator app of your choice from the Apple app store or the Google play store. Just search for an authenticator app, and you can find a bunch of them.
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I use an app called Authy to get my codes so that the installation steps would be based on that app.
Once you have installed the app, you need to create an account using your Gmail or any other email id.
You can now go back to the Facebook app and then click on the ‘Set up on Same device’ option.
Facebook will now ask you to open the authenticator app, and once you click on open, the Authenticator app will be opened, and your Facebook account will be added. You can also choose to change the logo or the name of the account profile if you want.
That’s it. You have now successfully set up two-factor authentication security on your Facebook account using the Authentication app.
Every time you sign in to your Facebook account from any device now, along with your password, you will also be required to enter the code from the app by Facebook.
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Step 5: Setting up text message
If you want to receive your codes as a text message to your phone number, then select the text message option and enter your phone number, and you will be good to go.
