Where can I find my 2FA secret key?

A 2FA secret key is usually found in the security settings of your account. Different platforms may use different names, such as “Account Security,” “Two-Step Verification,” “Two-Factor Authentication,” “Authenticator App,” or “Security Verification.”

When you enable 2FA, the platform usually shows a QR code. This QR code contains the account name, issuer name, and TOTP secret key. Many platforms also provide an option such as “Can’t scan the QR code?”, “Manual setup key,” or “Setup Key.” Clicking that option will reveal the secret key in text form.

If you want to generate a code using an online tool, you need to copy the manual setup key, not your account password and not a backup recovery code. A typical TOTP secret key is often in Base32 format and may contain uppercase letters and numbers. Make sure you do not copy extra spaces, line breaks, or invalid characters.

If 2FA is already enabled and you did not save the secret key, many platforms will not show the original key again. In that case, you may need to disable the current 2FA setup and bind a new authenticator app to get a new secret key and new backup codes.

A 2FA secret key is highly sensitive. Anyone who has the key can generate your verification codes. Store it only on trusted devices, in a password manager, or in an offline backup.