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Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for QuickBooks Online Payroll powered by Employment Hero

by Intuit• Updated 2 days ago

When using a username and password to log into your account, you are only using single-factor authentication. The process is open to security threats because it represents a single piece of information a malicious person requires. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) provides an additional verification level when logging into your account, making sure that you are the only person who can access your information.

The payroll platform allows you to enable two-factor authentication for your account, which involves verifying your email account (if you haven't already done so prior) and setting up at least one of the two-factor authentication methods; mobile phone number or authentication app e.g. Google Authenticator. We recommend users set up both to ensure lost of platform access is mitigated if one method encounters an issue.

Important: Two-Factor Authentication settings have now been moved to the new Security page under My Account. The old separate Two-Factor Authentication page under My Account will be removed on 15 July 2025.

Getting started

  1. Click the Account menu.
  2. Click the My Account submenu.Screenshot of EH dashboard within QuickBooks Online, showing the navigation path to the My Account section.
  3. Click Security.
  4. Under Two-Factor Authentication, click the Add Phone Number button.
  5. Enter your phone number and click the Send Confirmation Code button.
  6. Enter your confirmation code in and click the Confirm button.
  1. Click the Account menu.
  2. Click the My Account submenu.Screenshot of EH dashboard within QuickBooks Online, showing the navigation path to the My Account section.
  3. Click Security.
  4. Under Two-Factor Authentication, click the Configure Google Authenticator button.
  5. Scan the QR code using your Google Authenticator app.
  6. Enter your six-digit code that Google Authenticator has generated
  7. Click the Enable button.

Editing data

  1. Click the Account menu.
  2. Click the My Account submenu.Screenshot of EH dashboard within QuickBooks Online, showing the navigation path to the My Account section.
  3. Click Security.
  4. Under Two-Factor Authentication, click the Change Mobile Phone Number button.
  5. Enter your phone number and click the Send Confirmation Code button.
  6. Enter your confirmation code in and click the Confirm button.

Data management

  1. Click the Account menu.
  2. Click the My Account submenu.Screenshot of EH dashboard within QuickBooks Online, showing the navigation path to the My Account section.
  3. Click Security.
  4. Under Two-Factor Authentication, click the Enable button.
  5. Click the Ok button.

After enabling 2FA on web, you will get a one-time use Recovery Code, which you can download, print, or copy. In the event that you are unable to retrieve your 2FA code via authentican app or mobile SMS, you can use your Recovery Code. Here is how you can use it:

  1. On the payroll login page, enter your email and password.
  2. Click the Log In button.
  3. Input your Recovery Code in the Enter verification code textbox.
  4. Click the Verify button.
  5. A new Recovery Code will appear, which you can download, print, or copy, and use again in the future if you cannot get your 2FA code via authentication app or mobile SMS.

Removing data

  1. Click the Account menu.
  2. Click the My Account submenu.Screenshot of EH dashboard within QuickBooks Online, showing the navigation path to the My Account section.
  3. Click Security.
  4. Under Two-Factor Authentication, click the Disable Google Authenticator button.
  5. Click the Ok button.
  1. Click the Account menu.
  2. Click the My Account submenu.Screenshot of EH dashboard within QuickBooks Online, showing the navigation path to the My Account section.
  3. Click Security.
  4. Under Two-Factor Authentication, click the Disable button.
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