How to enable 2FA for your PayPal account
Updated August 4, 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.
Sign in on the PayPal website
Log in to your account at paypal.com using a web browser. Setting up 2-step verification can only be done on the website, not in the PayPal mobile app.
Open Security settings
Click the Settings (gear) icon near "Log out" at the top of the page, then click Security near the top of the page.
Start setting up 2-step verification
Find "2-step verification" and click Set Up to the right of it.
Choose the authenticator app option
When asked how you want to get your code, select "Use an authenticator app," then click Set It Up and follow the on-screen steps.
Scan the QR code with your Authenticator App
Open the Authenticator App on your iPhone, tap the + button, and scan the QR code shown by PayPal. If you can't scan it, choose to enter a setup key manually and type in the secret key (serial key) that PayPal displays instead.
Enter the 6-digit verification code
Your authenticator app will generate a 6-digit code. Type that code back into PayPal to verify the connection.
Confirm and finish
Confirm to finish setup. PayPal will now show that 2-step verification is turned on, and your authenticator app will be required at sign-in going forward.
Backup & recovery
Open the Authenticator App on your iPhone, tap the + button, and scan the QR code shown by PayPal. If you can't scan it, choose to enter a setup key manually and type in the secret key (serial key) that PayPal displays instead.
That's it — your PayPal account is now protected with two-factor authentication. Keep your recovery information safe and follow the service's official documentation if its interface changes.
See all 2FA methods supported by PayPal →
