Using two-factor authentication in Buffer

Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your Buffer account. After entering your username and password to log into Buffer, you'll be asked for a second authentication code. Two-factor authentication codes can be generated via email or an authentication app, such as Google Authenticator or Authy (available on iOS and Android). Learn more about Google Authenticator here.

In this article:

1. Enabling two-factor authentication
2. Disabling two-factor authentication
3. Requiring two-factor authentication for your team

Enabling two-factor authentication

These are the steps you'll take to enable two-factor authentication for your account:

1. Click the profile avatar in the lower left corner of the dashboard and click on Settings.
2. Toggle "Two Factor Authentication" to Enabled (it will turn blue).

3. Click Email or Authenticator App, depending on which method you'd prefer.

• If you choose to authenticate via email, you'll receive an email with a confirmation code. Enter the code in Buffer and click Confirm.
• If you chose to authenticate via an authenticator app, open the app (such as Google Authenticator or Authy) on your phone and scan the QR code. Then, click Next. Once scanned, your authenticator app will display a 6-digit code. Enter this code and click Next.

3. Finally, click Done, and you should be all set!

Disabling two-factor authentication

Need to turn two-factor authentication off? You can do so with a few quick steps:

1. Click on your profile avatar at the top right of dashboard, and click on Settings.
2. Toggle "Two Factor Authentication" OFF.

3. You'll be emailed a one time code.

   

4. Enter the code that's been emailed to you and click Confirm to complete the process.

Requiring two-factor authentication for your team

If you're a team owner or admin, you can require every team member to have 2FA enabled before they can use Buffer. This is a good way to keep your organization's accounts secure, especially if you're managing access for a larger team or agency.

How to turn on required 2FA for your team

1. Click your profile avatar in the lower left corner and select Manage Team.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and toggle Require two-factor authentication to on.

Each team member will show a ✓ 2FA badge next to their name once they have 2FA enabled. This makes it easy to see at a glance who has completed setup.

What team members will see

If a team member doesn't have 2FA set up when you enable this setting, they'll be prompted to set it up the next time they log in. They won't be able to access Buffer until they complete the setup.

Team members can choose to authenticate via Authenticator App or Email, then click Continue to proceed into Buffer.