--- title: "Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) | Helcim Learn" slug: "enable-two-factor-authentication" description: "Strengthen your Helcim account security by learning how to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) using SMS or an authenticator app." updated: 2025-09-17T20:01:26Z published: 2025-09-17T20:01:26Z canonical: "learn.helcim.com/enable-two-factor-authentication" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.helcim.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) Want to give your Helcim account an extra layer of security? Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a powerful second step to your login process, making it much harder for anyone else to access your account, even if they have your password. This article will guide you through setting up enhanced 2FA options for your Helcim account using either SMS (text message) or an authenticator app. --- **In this article** - [What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?](/v1/docs/enable-two-factor-authentication#what-is-twofactor-authentication-2fa) - [Set up two-factor authentication using SMS](/v1/docs/enable-two-factor-authentication#set-up-twofactor-authentication-using-sms) - [Change your two-factor authentication phone number](/v1/docs/enable-two-factor-authentication#change-your-twofactor-authentication-phone-number) - [Use an authenticator app for 2FA](/v1/docs/enable-two-factor-authentication#use-an-authenticator-app-for-2fa) - [Turn off two-factor authentication (2FA)](/v1/docs/enable-two-factor-authentication#turn-off-twofactor-authentication-2fa) - [Next steps](/v1/docs/enable-two-factor-authentication#next-steps) - [FAQs](/v1/docs/enable-two-factor-authentication#faqs) --- ## What is two-factor authentication (2FA)? --- Two-factor authentication (also called multi-factor authentication) adds an extra layer of security to your login process. - **Email Verification:** When you log in from a new device or a different IP address, a verification code is sent to your email. This is a baseline security measure. - **Enhanced 2FA (recommended):** If you enable 2FA in your settings using SMS or an authenticator app, this will replace the email verification code when you log in from a new device or a different IP address. - **Google Sign-In:** If you use [Google Sign-In](/v1/docs/google-sign-in-helcim-account) to access your account, this will bypass both the email and SMS 2FA codes. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/sparkle.png) | Google Sign-In is a secure authentication method that acts as a two-factor requirement on its own. | | --- | --- | ![The prompt for a two factor authentication code when signing into Helcim](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/two-factor-pin-email-code-entry.png) Using a two-factor PIN through email ## ## Set up two-factor authentication using SMS --- Using your mobile phone number is the quickest way to get an additional 2FA set up. 1. [Log into](https://hsso.helcim.com/login) your Helcim account through a web browser. 2. Select the **My Account** icon in the bottom-left corner, then select **My Helcim User**. 3. Select **Security**. 4. In the "Two-Factor Authentication" tile, click the **toggle** to enable it. 5. When prompted, enter your phone number and your account password. 6. Click **Save**. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/settings.png) | Now, each time you log in from a new IP address or device, you’ll be sent a verification code through text. Enter the code in the **Two-factor PIN** field to complete the login process. | | --- | --- | ## ![Enabling 2FA in the Helcim dashboard](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/enable-2FA.png) ## Change your two-factor authentication phone number --- If you get a new phone number or simply want to change the one associated with your 2FA, you can do so easily. 1. [Log into](https://hsso.helcim.com/login) your Helcim account through a web browser. 2. Select the **My Account** icon in the bottom-left corner, then select **My Helcim User**. 3. Select **Security**. 4. In the "Two-Factor Authentication" tile, next to the current phone number, select **Change**. 5. Enter the new phone number. 6. Enter your account password to confirm the change. ## Use an authenticator app for 2FA --- For an even more secure 2FA method, you can switch from SMS to an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy). 1. [Log into](https://hsso.helcim.com/login) your Helcim account through a web browser. 2. Select the **My Account** icon in the bottom-left corner, then select **My Helcim User**. 3. Select **Security**. 4. In the "Two-Factor Authentication" tile, select **Change**. 5. Select the **Authenticator App** option. 6. You will see a QR code displayed on your screen. Open your authenticator app on your smartphone or tablet and scan this QR code. 7. Enter the 6-digit code generated by your authenticator app into the field on your Helcim screen. 8. Enter your account password to confirm the change. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/settings.png) | Now, each time you log in from a new IP address or device, open your authenticator app. Enter the code associated with your credentials in the **Two-factor PIN** field to complete the login process. | | --- | --- | ## ![Enabling 2FA using an authenticator app in the Helcim dashboard](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/enable-2FA-authenticator.png) ## Turn off two-factor authentication (2FA) --- While we highly recommend keeping 2FA enabled for maximum security, you can turn it off if needed. 1. [Log into](https://hsso.helcim.com/login) your Helcim account through a web browser. 2. Select the **My Account** icon in the bottom-left corner, then select **My Helcim User**. 3. Select **Security**. 4. In the "Two-Factor Authentication" tile, click the **toggle** to disable it. 5. When prompted, enter your account password to confirm. ## Next steps --- You've just added a powerful layer of security to your Helcim account! - [Update your Helcim account password](/v1/docs/update-helcim-password) - [Use Google Sign-In for your Helcim account](/v1/docs/google-sign-in-helcim-account) - [View your Helcim account login activity](/v1/docs/view-helcim-login-activity) ## --- ### FAQs **Is 2FA mandatory for my Helcim account?** A basic form of 2FA, involving an email verification code, is automatically part of your Helcim login when you access your account from a new device or a different IP address. This helps ensure your account's security. However, enabling the additional 2FA options (SMS or an authenticator app) in your security settings is optional but highly recommended. When these are enabled, you will be prompted for a code (either via SMS or from your authenticator app) when you log in from a new device or a different IP address, replacing the email code. **What happens if I lose my phone and can't receive SMS codes?** If you lose access to your 2FA device, please [contact our support team](/v1/docs/creating-a-support-ticket) immediately for assistance in regaining access to your account. **How does an authenticator app work compared to SMS?** An authenticator app generates time-sensitive codes directly on your device, even without an internet connection. This can be more secure than SMS because it doesn't rely on your phone signal or cellular network, which can sometimes be vulnerable to certain attacks. **Does using Google Sign-In affect my 2FA settings?** Yes. When you log in to your Helcim account with [Google Sign-In](/v1/docs/google-sign-in-helcim-account), it bypasses the need for an email or SMS verification code. This is because Google's own security protocols are considered a robust form of authentication.