As security standards evolve, an increasing number of platforms require Two-Factor Authentication (also known as 2FA, MFA, or 2SV). For the purpose of this guide, we will refer to all of these as 2FA.

This article will show you how to use 1Password to securely store and quickly access your one-time passwords when you enable 2FA on a work-related website. DO NOT ADD 2FA CODES FOR A PERSONAL LOGIN ON YOUR 1PASSWORD WORK ACCOUNT. 

Why Use 1Password for Work-Related 2FA?

At Magic Memories, we strongly recommend using 1Password to store your 2FA codes rather than personal authenticator apps. Here is why:

• Easy Device Recovery: If you lose your phone, laptop, or other device, recovering your codes is as simple as signing back into 1Password with Google. With unapproved personal password managers, a lost device can mean permanent loss of not only your passwords but your 2FA codes too.

• Internal IT Support: Magic Memories can assist you in recovering your company 1Password account if you get locked out. We cannot help you recover personal password management accounts.

• Secure Team Sharing: Accounts with 2FA can be easily and securely shared with your team or department. This eliminates the "single point of failure" where only one person has the 2FA code on their personal device.

• Automatic Syncing: When a 2FA code is updated on a shared account, the changes will automatically sync and reflect for all other shared users immediately.

How to Save Your 2FA Code

Note: 1Password offers a desktop application, but this guide focuses exclusively on the browser extension, mobile apps (iOS/Android), and the 1Password.com website.

When a website prompts you to set up 2FA, it will typically provide a QR code to scan or a string of text characters to copy. Choose your preferred platform below to save the code to 1Password.

🌐 In the 1Password Browser Extension

1. Open and unlock your 1Password browser extension.

2. Select the Login item for the specific website.

3. Click the ellipsis (...) menu, then select Scan QR Code.

Tip: If the website only provides a string of characters (instead of a QR code), you will need to follow the steps below to save it via the 1Password app or on 1Password.com.

💻 On 1Password.com (Web Browser)

1. Sign in to your account at 1Password.com.

2. Select the Login item for the website, then click Edit.

3. Scroll down, click Add More, then select One-Time Password.

4. Return to the website you are setting up and look for the option to enter the code manually.

5. Copy the manual text code from the website, then paste it into the one-time password field in 1Password.

6. Click Save.

Tip: If the website only provides a QR code and no text alternative, you must use the browser extension or mobile app to scan it. You cannot scan a QR code from the 1Password.com web interface.

🍎 On iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open and unlock the 1Password app.

2. Tap the Login item for the website, then tap Edit.

3. Scroll down and tap Add More, then select One-Time Password.

4. Tap the QR code icon to scan the website's QR code using your camera. (If you cannot scan a QR code, copy and paste the character string provided by the website instead).

5. Tap Save.

🤖 On Android

1. Open and unlock the 1Password app.

2. Tap the Login item for the website, then tap Edit.

3. Scroll down and tap Add More, then select One-Time Password.

4. Tap the QR code icon to scan the website's QR code using your camera. (If you cannot scan a QR code, copy and paste the character string provided by the website instead).

5. Tap Save.

Confirming and Using Your 2FA Codes

To finish setting up 2FA, the website will usually ask you to enter a generated code to confirm the 2FA you established was successful.

1. Copy the 6-digit code from 1Password (either from the browser extension or your open 1Password tab).

2. Paste it into the confirmation box on the website.

Moving Forward: Whenever you log in to this site in the future, 1Password should automatically suggest the 2FA code, provided you have the website's URL saved in the 1Password login entry. If it does not automatically suggest the code, you can easily search for the login item within the 1Password extension or website and copy the 2FA code manually.