Two-Factor Authentication
We strongly recommend enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). 2FA adds an additional layer of security to your account.
2FA is more secure because it requires two sources of verification: something you know (your password) and something you have (the code you generate or receive on your device). It’s much harder for attackers to gain access to both of these, and it can help protect you in case an attacker learns your password.
How It Works
You’ll be prompted for your 2FA code every time you log in. You’ll copy your 2FA code from an authentication app or from a text message (SMS) back to the Robinhood App. Between these two options, we recommend using an authentication app because they are less susceptible to certain types of attacks.
Keep in mind that closing the Robinhood app alone won’t log you out of the app—so you typically won’t be prompted for your 2FA code when you open it from your home screen.
How to Enable 2FA
First, you’ll need to download an authentication app—we support all major third-party apps. Here are a few we support:
Next, enable 2FA in your Robinhood app:
- Tap the Account (person) icon in the bottom right corner
- Tap the three bars in the top right corner
- Tap Settings
- Under Security, tap Two-Factor Authentication
- Toggle the feature to the On position
- Tap the authentication app you’d like to use
- Tap Open App to add your key to the authentication app
- Open your authentication app, and confirm that you’d like to add Robinhood
- Copy the verification code generated by your authentication app and paste it into Robinhood when you’re prompted.
- You’ll receive an emergency backup code from Robinhood that allows you to log in if you ever lose access to your device. We recommend saving this code in a secure place, such as within a password manager, saving a screenshot in a password-protected folder, or writing it down and locking it in a safe.
If you ever lose your phone, you can use this backup code instead of the one we would send you via SMS. We recommend saving this code in a safe and secure place, such as saving a screenshot in a password-protected folder or writing it down and locking it in a safe.
To enable 2FA in your Robinhood app using SMS:
- Tap the Account (person) icon in the bottom right corner
- Tap the three bars in the top right corner
- Tap Settings
- Under Security, tap Two-Factor Authentication
- Toggle the feature to the On position
- Under Select Authentication Method, select SMS
- Check your text messages, and copy the Robinhood code
- Paste the code into your Robinhood app, and tap Continue
- You’ll receive an emergency backup code from Robinhood that allows you to log in if you ever lose access to your device. We recommend saving this code in a secure place, such as within a password manager, saving a screenshot in a password-protected folder, or writing it down and locking it in a safe.
Logging In
After you enter your username and password, you’ll be prompted for an authentication code. Open your authentication app and copy the code it creates for Robinhood. Paste the code in the Robinhood app to finish signing in.
Keep in mind that timing is important with authentication apps. You’ll typically have about a minute from the time your authentication app creates the code to paste it into Robinhood.
After you enter your username and password, you’ll receive a text message from Robinhood that contains an authentication code. Open your text message and copy the code that was sent to you. Paste the code in the Robinhood app to finish signing in.
Using Your Backup Code
You can use your one-time emergency backup code to log into your Robinhood account in the event that you ever lose access to your device. You’ll still need your username and password to sign into your account, but you’ll be able to use the emergency backup code in place of your 2FA code.
Note that using your backup code will automatically disable 2FA—you’ll need to enable it again once you’re back in your account.
Disabling Two-Factor Authentication
Here’s how to disable 2FA in your app:
- Tap the Account (person) icon in the bottom right corner
- Tap the three bars in the top right corner
- Tap Settings
- Under Security, tap Two-Factor Authentication
- Toggle the feature to the Off position