How to enable and use 2-Step Verification in your FreeAgent account
2-Step Verification is an optional security feature in FreeAgent that makes your FreeAgent account even more secure. This article explains how 2-Step Verification works, how to enable and disable it, and how to use it to access your FreeAgent account.
If you're unable to log in to your FreeAgent account, please see our troubleshooting steps for login problems.
Before you start
Before you begin the process of enabling 2-Step Verification, you will need to download and authentication app on your iOS or Android device that will allow you to generate the verification codes you'll need to log in to your FreeAgent account. Various authentication apps are available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
How 2-Step Verification works
2-Step Verification (which is also sometimes known as 2-Factor Authentication or 2FA) is a security measure that’s offered by many online banking services, as well as digital platforms such as Google, Twitter and YouTube.
In FreeAgent, 2-Step Verification works in conjunction with an authentication app on your iOS or Android device to prompt you to enter a randomly generated verification code - in addition to your regular login credentials - every time you want to access your FreeAgent account. Please note that the code will always be generated on an authenticator app and will never be sent via SMS.
If you choose to enable 2-Step Verification, you can be confident that your FreeAgent account will remain protected if your login credentials ever fall into the wrong hands.
Setting up 2-Step Verification
Download an authentication app
Before you begin the process of enabling 2-Step Verification, you should download an authentication app on your device that will allow you to generate the verification codes you’ll need to log in to FreeAgent. Some popular apps that do this are:
If your authentication app supports cloud backup, we recommend enabling it. In the event that you get a new device, you’ll then be able to transfer your authentication app data to it using this feature. This will help you to avoid being locked out of FreeAgent and having to set up 2-Step Verification again.
Enable 2-Step Verification
Once you’ve downloaded an authentication app, log in to FreeAgent as normal and select 'Settings' from the drop-down menu in the top-right corner and then select '2-Step Verification'.
In the ‘2-Step Verification’ section, select ‘Enable 2-Step Verification’.
Use the authentication app on your device to scan the QR code that appears in the pop-up box. The app will then generate a 6-digit code, which you should enter in the text box and select ‘Confirm’.
Next, you'll be shown your recovery codes. Please note that these codes should not be used each time you log in to FreeAgent. Instead, you should use a code generated by your authentication app.
Once 2-Step Verification is set up, recovery codes should only be used to get you back into your FreeAgent account if you get a new device, lose access to your device, or delete your authentication app. Please make sure you print them or save them somewhere safe.
Using 2-Step Verification
Logging in to FreeAgent
Once you have successfully set up 2-Step Verification, you will need to use your authentication app to generate a code each time you log in to FreeAgent from a desktop or mobile browser, or from the FreeAgent mobile app on an iOS or Android device.
After providing your usual login credentials, enter your verification code in the 2-Step Verification login field.
If you use 2-Step Verification, you’ll need to enter a code from your authenticator app each time you wish to access the account, even if that device is known.
Enter a code generated from your authentication app and select ‘Log me in!’ to access your FreeAgent account.
I'm locked out - what should I do?
If you ever find yourself separated from your device and unable to access your authentication app, your recovery codes provide you with another way to log in to your FreeAgent account. Simply select ‘I want to use a recovery code’ from the 2-Step Verification login page, then retrieve your recovery codes from their secure location and type one of them into the box.
Each of your 10 recovery codes can only be used once. If you need to generate a fresh set of recovery codes, just select ‘Regenerate Recovery Codes’ in the 2-Step Verification area of the app. Please be aware that when you do this, all your previous recovery codes - including those you’ve not yet used - will become invalid, so remember to print or save your new codes to your secure location.
If you don't have access to your recovery codes, you'll need to contact our superstar support team, who will take you through an identity verification procedure before allowing you back into your account.
Disabling 2-Step Verification
If at any time you want to disable 2-Step Verification, simply log in to your account as normal (either using a verification code or a recovery code), then navigate to 'Settings' and '2-Step Verification'. From there, select ‘Disable 2-Step Verification’.
Once you have done this, you will be able to log in to your FreeAgent account on a desktop or mobile browser or via the FreeAgent mobile app with only your email address and password.
Managing 2-Step Verification when changing devices
If you're changing mobile devices, you'll need to disable the current 2-Step Verification set up using the old device. Then, enable 2-Step Verification using the new device.
If you're using a switching service, ensure the authenticator app works on the new device before getting rid of the old device.