Security is an uncompromised necessity in the age of online platforms. Two-factor authentication (2FA) has become a standard practice that adds an extra layer of defense to users’ online accounts. In order to secure users against potential threats, Discord also offers a 2FA feature. However, are you locked out of your account because you lost access to the second factor? Well, we are here to help you as this article will discuss in detail about lost Discord two-factor SMS authentication code and help you get back access to your handle.
Understanding Discord Two-Factor Authentication & What to Do if It Is Lost
Discord’s two-factor authentication offers two keys to your account: something you know (your password) and something you have (a unique code). This dynamic duo together prevents unauthorized access to your account. It requires users to enter their credentials and then verify the login with a code generated by an authentication app, like Google Authenticator.
One of the common instances is users losing access to their SMS authentication code and being unable to verify the login process. Usually, this happens when they switch their phone numbers or lose the device associated with the Discord account or the authenticator app. Let’s see what to do in such cases.
Quick Answer
To log in to your Discord account:
1. Open the Discord login page, add your credentials, and click on Log in.
2. Click on Verify with something else.
3. Choose Use a code sent to your phone.
4. Once you receive the 6-digit code, enter it in the text field and click on Confirm.
Method 1: Use Discord Backup Codes
As we read Discord’s 2FA works along with an authentication app, when you enable it on the platform, it provides an option for users to download and save the Backup Codes to use in case they cannot access the authentication app or are unable to receive code via SMS.
Method 1.1: Access Backup Codes via Downloaded File
If you have downloaded the backup codes file earlier while setting up Two-Factor Authentication on Discord, follow the steps below:
1. Search for the discord_backup_codes.txt file on the device and open it. You can see all the backup codes here.
2. Now open Discordand on the welcome page, enter the EMAIL OR PHONE NUMBER and PASSWORD.
3. Click on Log in.
4. Click on Verify with something else.
5. Now on the Two-Factor Authentication page, choose Use a backup code.
6. Open the Backup codes file, copy any 8-digit code from it, and paste it into the text field.
7. Click on Confirm.
You’ll be logged in to your account.
Method 1.2: Access Backup Codes via Discord Desktop App
If you haven’t downloaded the backup codes file earlier, you can still access the codes directly through the Discord app. All you need is to find a device on which you are already logged in to the platform. For example, if you want to log in to Discord through the mobile app but have lost the authentication, you can follow these steps on the PC app:
Note: The same steps can also be followed on the Discord mobile app as well to log in to the desktop app.
1. Open Discord and navigate to the USER SETTINGS page.
2. In the My Account tab, scroll down and click on View Backup Codes.
3. Enter Your Password for verification.
4. Now, you’ll receive a key on your email ID. Copy that and Enter it in the VERIFICATION KEY text field.
5. Click on Submit.
You’ll now be able to see all the backup codes. Use any of it to log in to the Discord mobile app.
Also Read: How Do I Recover a Deleted Google Authenticator
Method 2: Use SMS Authentication
If you have the SMS Backup authentication feature enabled on Discord, follow the steps below to use it to log in to your account, even if the two-factor app is lost.
1. Open Discord and on the welcome page, add your credentials.
2. Click on Log in.
3. Click on Verify with something else and choose Use a code sent to your phone.
4. You’ll receive a 6-digit code on your phone number. Enter it in the text field and click on Confirm.
Method 3: Contact Discord Support
Lastly, you cansubmit your request on the Discord Support Page. Once submitted, the support team will review your case and assist you in recovering your account. All you need is to provide details to prove your ownership of the account such as. :
- Email address associated with your Discord account
- Username and discriminator (e.g., Username#t1234 or in the new format)
- Proof of ownership (e.g., payment receipts for Nitro subscriptions or other account-related transactions).
Let’s take a look at the steps you need to follow:
1. Visit the Discord Support website and click on the Submit a Request button at the top right.
2. Expand the drop-down menu under What can we help you with? and select Help & Support.
3. From the Type of question? drop-down menu, select 2FA Lockout.
4. Now fill out all the required information and click on Submit.
Also Read: How to Bypass Two Factor Authentication on Instagram
Preventing Future Discord 2FA Issues
In order to avoid such 2FA issues it’s essential to take some proactive steps, such as:
- Store Backup Codes Securely: When you first enable 2FA on Discord, make sure to store your backup codes in a secure location, both a physical hard copy and a soft one.
- Update Contact Information: Keep your email address associated with your Discord account up to date to receive account recovery instructions.
- Use a Backup Authentication Method: Set up multiple authentication methods for 2FA. In addition to an authenticator app and SMS, consider using other methods like backup codes or hardware keys.
How to Remove Two-Factor Authentication on Discord
Two-factor authentication provides a higher degree of security than single-factor authentication (SFA), which requires the user to submit only one element, generally a password or passcode. We do not recommend to remove it, but if you want, follow the steps below:
1. Open Discord and navigate to USER SETTINGS.
2. In the My Account tab, scroll down on the right pane and click on Remove 2FA.
3. Enter the 6-digit authenticator code or 8-digit backup code in the text field and click on Remove2FA.
Once 2FA is removed, you can access your account only with a password.
Recommended: How to Know If Your Discord Account is Hacked
Lost Two-Factor authentication on Discord can be bothersome when you are not able to access your account. We hope our guide helped you log in once again. If you have any queries or suggestions for us, do let us know in the comments section. Stay tuned to TechCult for more such tips and tricks.
