Authenticator App - Novaz

Visual Studio Codespaces 2FA Setup Guide

visualstudio.microsoft.com Supported

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

A Visual Studio Codespaces account can expose source code, deploy keys, and infrastructure — prime targets for attackers. Besides an authenticator app, Visual Studio Codespaces 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 Visual Studio Codespaces supports

  • SMS text message
  • Email code
  • Proprietary app
  • Authenticator app (TOTP)
  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 Visual Studio Codespaces's QR code and generate your 6-digit sign-in codes.

    Download on the App Store
  2. 2

    Sign in to Visual Studio Codespaces and open your Visual Studio Codespaces 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 Visual Studio Codespaces 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 Visual Studio Codespaces account.

  6. 6

    Save a way to recover your account.

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

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

How to recover your Visual Studio Codespaces account

If you lose access to your authenticator and Visual Studio Codespaces 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 Visual Studio Codespaces doesn't, or you didn't save them, use Visual Studio Codespaces's account-recovery or support process (or ask your admin, for a work account) to get back in.

Frequently asked questions

Does Visual Studio Codespaces work with authenticator apps like Authenticator App - Novaz?
Yes. Visual Studio Codespaces supports TOTP authenticator apps, so you can generate its two-factor codes in Authenticator App - Novaz.
Is Visual Studio Codespaces two-factor authentication free?
Yes. Enabling authenticator-app 2FA on Visual Studio Codespaces is free — you only need the free Authenticator App - Novaz.
What if I lose access to my Visual Studio Codespaces 2FA codes?
If Visual Studio Codespaces 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 Visual Studio Codespaces'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 Visual Studio Codespaces codes in Authenticator App - Novaz

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

Get the app

More Developer guides

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