Signing in to community with two-factor authentication enabled

After signing in to the community you gain access to most of the community features.

Requirements

Generally, you only need a browser or a mobile app to sign in to a community. You can find the list of supported desktop browsers at Supported browsers. And for more information about accessing communities from a mobile device, see Using community from mobile browsers.

But if the two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled for the community, you may also need a mobile device with an authenticator app installed. The device is used to provide a second piece of information about you before you can access the community. This is a security safeguard: if someone gains access to your password they will not be able to access the community without access to your mobile device. As an authenticator app, you can use Google Authenticator (‎Google Authenticator on the App Store or Google Authenticator on Google Play), or Authy (Authy in the App Store or Authy 2-Factor Authentication on Google Play), or another authenticator app which supports TOTP protocol for the two-factor authentication.

Signing in to the community

To sign in to the community:

  1. Open the community URL. The sign-in and registration page should be opened. If another page opens, click Sign in to go to the sign-in page.

    Figure: The Sign in page


    An example of the registration form
  2. Enter your email address and password, and then click Sign in.
    • If you want to stay signed in, select the Keep me signed in check box.
    • If SSO is enabled in the community, you can use your other credentials, such as Google or Facebook, to sign in.
  3. Pair up your mobile device as follows:

    Figure: Pairing a device for the two-factor authentication


    Pairing a device for the two-factor authentication
    1. On your mobile device, open the authenticator app.
    2. Scan the QR code to add an account to the app automatically.
    3. Alternatively, if you cannot scan the QR code, click + next to Unable to scan the QR code on your device on the sign-in page and enter the provided data into the app. Follow the instructions for your app on adding a new account.
    4. Click Next.

    This adds a device token to your account; with this token the community can recognize the device as belonging to you. Pairing a device is required when you set up a new device, change your password, or when you want to change the device you use. With a mobile device paired, you proceed to sign in.

  4. Sign in with a code from your mobile device as follows:
    1. On your mobile device, open the authenticator app.
    2. Locate the verification code, enter it and click Verify.

      Figure: Entering a 2FA verification code


      Entering a 2FA verification code

    Note that the verification code is changed every 30 seconds and you need to enter the code within this time interval.

After entering a correct verification code you will be signed in to the community.

If required, you can change the device used for two-factor authentication. For more information, see Unpairing a two-factor authentication device.