Setting up your first account

Once you have created your authn8 account, the next step is to add your first account.
This will allow you to generate time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs) for your online accounts.

Step 1: Navigate to the Accounts Page

From your dashboard, click on the "Accounts" link in the sidebar. This will take you to the "Manage Accounts" page, where you can see a list of all your saved accounts.

Step 2: Choose How to Add Your Account

Click on the "Add New Account" button. This will take you to a page with three tabs, giving you different ways to add your account:

Method 1: Manual Entry

This is the default option and is useful if you have the secret key provided by the service.

  1. Enter Account Name: Provide a descriptive name for the account (e.g., "Google", "GitHub"). This helps in identifying the account and loading the correct brand logo.
  2. Enter Secret: Paste the secret key into the provided field. The key can be in various formats, including with or without spaces, or as a full `otpauth://` URI.
  3. Click the "Add" button to save the account.
Method 2: Upload QR Code

If you have a QR code image saved on your computer, you can upload it directly.

  1. Click on the "Upload QR Code" tab.
  2. Enter Account Name: Just as with manual entry, provide a name for the account.
  3. Choose File: Click the button to select the QR code image from your computer.
  4. Click the "Upload" button. The system will read the QR code and add the account to your user account.
Method 3: Scan QR Code (Mobile App)

The quickest way to add an account is by scanning the QR code directly using your phone.

  1. Open the authn8 mobile app on your smartphone.
  2. Navigate to the section for adding a new account.
  3. Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code provided by the service you are securing.
  4. The account will be automatically added to your user account and synced across your devices.

Congratulations! You have successfully added your first account. You can now use the generated codes to sign in to your accounts securely.