Upwork 2FA: How to Set Up an Authenticator App
Upwork supports app-based two-factor authentication (2FA). Turning it on adds a second layer of protection, so a stolen password alone can't unlock your Upwork account.
Turning on 2FA for Upwork adds a second layer of protection, so a stolen password alone isn't enough to get in. Besides an authenticator app, Upwork also offers SMS text codes and email codes. 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 Upwork supports
- SMS text message
- Email code
- Authenticator app (TOTP)
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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 Upwork's QR code and generate your 6-digit sign-in codes.
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Sign in to Upwork and open your Upwork account security settings.
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Turn on two-factor authentication and choose the authenticator-app option.
Look for "Authenticator app", "Authentication app", or "TOTP" rather than SMS.
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Scan the QR code with Authenticator App - Novaz.
Open Authenticator App - Novaz, tap add, and point your camera at the QR code Upwork displays. Can't scan? Enter the setup key manually instead.
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Enter the 6-digit code to confirm.
Type the code Authenticator App - Novaz generates to verify and link your Upwork account.
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Save a way to recover your account.
If Upwork shows backup or recovery codes, store them somewhere safe, away from your phone. If it doesn't, check how Upwork recovers accounts (support, an admin, or another sign-in method) before you need it.
Menu names on Upwork can change — the official Upwork 2FA documentation ↗ always has the exact, current path.
How to recover your Upwork account
If you lose access to your authenticator and Upwork 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 Upwork doesn't, or you didn't save them, use Upwork's account-recovery or support process (or ask your admin, for a work account) to get back in.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Upwork work with authenticator apps like Authenticator App - Novaz?
- Yes. Upwork supports TOTP authenticator apps, so you can generate its two-factor codes in Authenticator App - Novaz.
- Is Upwork two-factor authentication free?
- Yes. Enabling authenticator-app 2FA on Upwork is free — you only need the free Authenticator App - Novaz.
- What if I lose access to my Upwork 2FA codes?
- If Upwork 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 Upwork'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 Upwork codes in Authenticator App - Novaz
Free, offline, and encrypted. One tap for every 6-digit code.
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