Twitter now lets you use third-party apps instead of SMS for two-factor authentication

Zac Hall | Dec 20 2017 - 11:06 am PT

Twitter has announced an important change to how it handles two-factor authentication for new logins on its service. Twitter now lets you use third-party apps for two-factor authentication as an alternative to SMS.

SMS, or text message based codes, is generally considered inferior in terms of security to third-party apps that support two-factor authentication. SMS being a carrier specific service can also affect users traveling internationally when using two-factor security.

Third party apps like Authy, Google Authenticator, and 1Password work independently of carrier and location and instead generate codes offline that let you use two-factor authentication.

Twitter says it will still rely on SMS for logins by default, but it lays out instructions below for using third-party apps as an alternative:

In the top menu, tap your profile icon, then tap Settings and privacy.
Tap Account, then tap Security.
Drag the slider next to Security app to receive a code via a separate app.
Read instructions and tap Start.
Enter your password and tap Verify.
Start the set up process by tapping Set up now.
Follow the set up process instructions. Note: If you already have an authenticator app installed, you’ll see a message to confirm allowing Twitter to be added.
You’ll see a Try it now message. Generate a code through the third-party app, enter it, and tap Verify.
Now, through the third-party app, you can view and use codes for login verification.