Authenticator App - Novaz

PenFed 2FA: How to Set Up an Authenticator App

penfed.org Supported

PenFed lets you secure your account with an authenticator app. With 2FA on, each login needs a fresh 6-digit code, keeping your PenFed account safe even if your password leaks.

A PenFed account can be tied to your money and personal finances, so a stolen password is a direct financial risk. Besides an authenticator app, PenFed also offers SMS text codes, email codes and a proprietary app. An authenticator app (TOTP) is usually the best balance of security and convenience — and it's safer than SMS codes, which can be intercepted through SIM-swap attacks.

2FA methods PenFed supports

  • SMS text message
  • Email code
  • Authenticator app (TOTP)
  • Proprietary app
  1. 1

    Download Authenticator App - Novaz

    Install Authenticator App - Novaz from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and open it — you'll use it to scan PenFed's QR code and generate your 6-digit sign-in codes.

    Download on the App Store
  2. 2

    Sign in to PenFed and open your PenFed account security settings.

  3. 3

    Turn on two-factor authentication and choose the authenticator-app option.

    Look for "Authenticator app", "Authentication app", or "TOTP" rather than SMS.

  4. 4

    Scan the QR code with Authenticator App - Novaz.

    Open Authenticator App - Novaz, tap add, and point your camera at the QR code PenFed displays. Can't scan? Enter the setup key manually instead.

  5. 5

    Enter the 6-digit code to confirm.

    Type the code Authenticator App - Novaz generates to verify and link your PenFed account.

  6. 6

    Save a way to recover your account.

    If PenFed shows backup or recovery codes, store them somewhere safe, away from your phone. If it doesn't, check how PenFed recovers accounts (support, an admin, or another sign-in method) before you need it.

Menu names on PenFed can change — the official PenFed 2FA documentation ↗ always has the exact, current path.

How to recover your PenFed account

If you lose access to your authenticator and PenFed gave you backup or recovery codes when you turned on 2FA, sign in with one of them; keep them somewhere safe, away from your phone. Not every service issues codes. If PenFed doesn't, or you didn't save them, use PenFed's account-recovery or support process (or ask your admin, for a work account) to get back in.

Frequently asked questions

Does PenFed work with authenticator apps like Authenticator App - Novaz?
Yes. PenFed supports TOTP authenticator apps, so you can generate its two-factor codes in Authenticator App - Novaz.
Is PenFed two-factor authentication free?
Yes. Enabling authenticator-app 2FA on PenFed is free — you only need the free Authenticator App - Novaz.
What if I lose access to my PenFed 2FA codes?
If PenFed gave you backup or recovery codes during setup, sign in with one of them. If it didn't, or you didn't save them, use PenFed's account recovery or contact its support (or your admin, for a work account), then add the account to Authenticator App - Novaz again.

Generate your PenFed codes in Authenticator App - Novaz

Free, offline, and encrypted. One tap for every 6-digit code.

Get the app

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Novaz is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PenFed. PenFed and its logo are trademarks of their respective owner and are used here for identification only.