2FA guide
Create a 2FA QR Code from a Secret Key
Have a 2FA secret as text but need to add it to a phone app? Typing a 32-character key on a phone is error-prone. Generate a QR code from it instead and scan it with any authenticator app.
How to generate the QR code
- Paste the Base32 secret or otpauth:// link into the generator. Check that the code it shows is accepted by the service.
- Choose “Save locally”. The key appears as a card below the input.
- Select the QR button between “Copy” and “Delete” on the card. A QR code for that account is displayed.
- Scan it with Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, Aegis or any other TOTP app — or select “Download QR code” to keep a PNG copy.
What the QR code contains
The QR code encodes a standard otpauth://totp/ link with the secret, issuer, account name, algorithm, digits and period. That is the same format services use during 2FA setup, so every mainstream authenticator app understands it and shows the correct name and code length.
Common uses
- Moving an account to a new phone or a second authenticator app as a backup.
- Converting accounts imported from a Google Authenticator export into individual QR codes for an app that cannot read exports.
- Setting up the same 2FA account on a teammate’s device for a shared account.
Safety
The QR code is created in your browser with no network request. It is as sensitive as the secret itself: anyone who scans it can generate your codes. Do not post it, and delete downloaded copies once the account is set up.
Frequently asked questions
Will the new app show the same codes?
Yes. The QR code carries the same secret and settings, so both apps produce identical codes.
Can I print the QR code as a backup?
You can download it and print it, but store the paper as securely as you would a password list.