2FA Setup Guide

How to enable 2FA for your PayPal account

Updated June 5, 2026

Two-factor authentication (2FA) protects your PayPal account even if your password leaks. Follow the steps below to generate PayPal verification codes with the Authenticator App on your iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Download Authenticator App
Download Authenticator App from the App Store on your iPhone, iPad or Mac. It's free and no sign-up is required.
Open PayPal security settings
Sign in to PayPal, click the gear icon and open the “Security” tab.
Set up 2-step verification
Click “Set Up” next to “2-step verification”, then choose “Use an authenticator app”. PayPal will show a QR code.
Scan the QR code with Authenticator App
Open Authenticator App, tap the + button and scan the QR code shown by PayPal. If you can't scan it, choose the manual option on PayPal and type the setup key into the app instead.
Enter the 6-digit verification code
Type the 6-digit code from Authenticator App back into PayPal to confirm the setup. The code refreshes every 30 seconds.
Save your backup codes
If PayPal offers backup or recovery codes, download or write them down and store them somewhere safe. They let you regain access if you ever lose your device.