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 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 Account" button. A modal will appear with four options for adding your account:

Method 1: Manual Add

Choose this option if you have the secret key, OTP URL, or a Google Authenticator export string.

  1. Enter Account Name: Provide a descriptive name for the account (e.g., "Google", "GitHub"). This helps identify the account and load the correct brand logo.
  2. Enter Secret: Paste the secret into the provided field. Supported formats include:
    • Base32 key (e.g., ZSNDSGSVYB36PAEQ7SFIUKPROMHQDSH6)
    • Base32 with spaces (e.g., zsnd sgsv yb36 paeq)
    • OTP Auth URL (e.g., otpauth://totp/...)
    • Google Authenticator export (e.g., otpauth-migration://offline?data=...)
  3. Click the "Add" button to save the account.
Method 2: Upload QR Code

Choose this option if you have a QR code image or Google Authenticator export screenshot saved on your device.

  1. Enter Account Name: Provide a name for the account.
  2. Choose File: Click the button to select the QR code image from your device.
  3. Click the "Upload" button. The system will read the QR code and add the account.

Tip: You can upload Google Authenticator export QR codes to import multiple accounts at once.

Method 3: Scan QR Code (Mobile App)

Choose this option to use the Authn8 mobile app to scan a QR code directly.

  1. Download and open the Authn8 mobile app on your smartphone.
  2. Log in to your account.
  3. Tap the menu icon and navigate to Accounts → Add account.
  4. Use your phone's camera to scan the QR code provided by the service.
  5. The account will be automatically added and synced across your devices.
Method 4: Migrate from Another App

Choose this option if you're moving from Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, or 1Password. This page provides step-by-step instructions for each app.

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