Help Center
Home Web Security Data Protection

Using an authenticator app (TOTP) for two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) improves the security of your IONOS account by adding an extra layer of security. In addition to your access data, an additional code is required to log in, which is generated by an authenticator app. This article explains how to set up and use an authenticator app.

Note

The Help Center article "Using the IONOS Mobile App for two-factor authentication" explains how to perform two-factor authentication with the IONOS Mobile App. Both types of verification (authenticator app or IONOS Mobile App) can be used in parallel.

What is an authenticator app (TOTP)?

With an authenticator app, e.g. on your smartphone, you generate time-limited one-time passwords (TOTP, short for "Time-based One-Time Password"), which are used for confirmation in two steps (also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA). A generated one-time password must be entered in addition to the login data in order to gain access. There are various providers of authenticator apps in the app stores. FreeOTP is used in the following usage example.

Set up an authenticator app (TOTP)

  • Download the authentication app FreeOTP on your smartphone. Download: iOS, Android
  • Log in to your IONOS customer account.
  • Click on Menu >  My account in the title bar.
  • Click on Login & account security.
  • Click on Configure two-factor authentication next to Two-factor authentication.
  • Click on the link Set up with authenticator app in the Authenticator app tile.
  • Scan the displayed QR code with the FreeOTP app.
  • Click on Confirm QR code scan on the Set up the authenticator app page.
  • Enter the 6-digit code from FreeOTP in the Enter code field and click Confirm.
  • At the end of the activation process, a 16-digit recovery code is displayed. Keep this code in a safe place. You can find out more about this in the next section "Use recovery code".

Use recovery code

Caution

Store the recovery code just as sensitively as all other access data, and do not share it with third parties.

At the end of the activation of the authenticator app in your IONOS account, a 16-digit recovery code is displayed.

This recovery code reset the two-factor authentication, e.g. if you have lost the corresponding end device with the authenticator app. Please note that the recovery code can only be used once.

The Help Center article "Disabling two-factor authentication" explains how to use the recovery code.

Content