You can install an authenticator app on your laptop or desktop computer. If you can’t install apps on your work computer yourself, ask your IT team to install an authenticator app for you, either on your computer or your organisation’s server.
There are various authenticator apps available, such as our recommended app Authy.
If you want to use Authy on your Windows or Mac computer to log in to Xero, follow our quick video tutorial (YouTube website) to set up MFA. Alternatively, you can follow the steps below to do this.
- If you’re required to set up MFA before you can use Xero, you’ll be prompted to do so when you’re logging in. Click Set up multi-factor authentication to get started. If you’re not yet required to set up MFA but want to get started, do this while you’re logged in. Click your initials or profile image at the top right of the screen and select Account. Under Additional Security, next to Multi-factor authentication, click Set up. This will take you to the start of the MFA process. Click Set up multi-factor authentication to get started.
- When prompted to choose an authenticator app, select Use my own app.
- In a separate tab on your web browser, go to the Authy website and follow the steps to download Authy to your desktop.
- When you download Authy, you’re then asked to enter a phone number for verification purposes. It’s only used for the initial setup of Authy. When you enter a phone number, you can select how you receive the verification code. Then, enter the code to get into Authy.
- Add Xero as an account within Authy. As part of this process, you’ll be prompted to enter a code or key. To find the code or key, return to Xero and click Can’t scan the QR code? Enter a setup key instead.
- Next to Setup Key, click Copy.
- Go back to the Authy app, click on the plus icon to add an account.
- Paste the code or key and click Add Account.
- As Xero doesn’t appear on the options to choose from, we need to create it. Select one of the options, for example Generic Blue, then to rename it type ‘Xero’ in the Account Name field at the top of the screen.
- Select 6-digit as the token length, and click Save.
- Once Authy is generating codes, return to Xero and click Enter Code. Enter the six digit code from the Authy app and click Confirm.
- Add a backup email address, then click Continue. You’ll be prompted to confirm the email address by entering a verification code sent to your inbox. If you’d rather use security questions and answers, click Add backup security questions instead. Your answers can only contain letters or numbers, and not any symbols or special characters.
You’re now set up to use MFA next time you log into Xero.