How-To

How to Enable Two-Step Verification on Amazon.com Accounts

Amazon has finally added Two-Step Verification aka Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for users of its site. We are huge proponents of 2FA here and have written numerous articles about using it to keep your online accounts more secure. Here’s a look at how to set up what the company is calling Two-Step Verification.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to Your Amazon Account

To add this extra layer of security, log in and go to Your Account.

Amazon Your Account

On the next page in the Settings section select Change Account Settings.

2 Change Account Settings

You’ll be asked to verify your Amazon account username and password a second time. Then under Change Account Settings, select the Edit button next to Advanced Security Settings.

3 Advanced Security Settings

Next you’ll get a brief explanation of Two-Step Verification. Click Get Started.

4 Get Started

Now enter your phone number (capable of receiving SMS) and click Send code. Then type in the code you received on your phone and click

enter texted code

If you don’t have your smartphone, you can also use a free authenticator app i.e. Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authentication.

5 Authenticator App

Whether you have a code texted or use an authenticator app, after you’ve done that, Amazon will ask you for a second backup method. The nice thing here is you can use a second cell number or get the code via your landline.

Backup method

That’s all there is to it. On the final step, you’ll get a page that explains how 2FA for Amazon works. Scroll to the bottom of the page and there you might want to check the box Don’t require codes on this device. Doing so does make using 2FA much easier and is the way it works for most sites that allow it. Also, note that you can change this setting on any device you set up by going into advanced settings.

6 skip codes personal devices

When you log in from a different device, your smartphone, for example, you’ll receive a text with the additional security code. Type it in and you also have the option not to require a code each time you log in. However, you might not want to set that up with a mobile device for security reasons.

Two-step amazon

We’ve been waiting for Amazon to add 2FA for quite some time, and now that it’s here, you’ll want to enable it to give your Amazon account that extra layer of security. At the time of this writing, it appears it’s only available for in the US. Hopefully, the company is staggering it out, and it will be available in all countries soon.

It only takes a few minutes to set up, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your account is better protected.

We can’t say this enough, but add 2FA to all of your online accounts that support it. You might find it a little inconvenient at first, but remember — Convenience is the enemy of security.

For more on turning on Two-Factor Authentication on your online accounts, read our Two-Factor Authentication Guide to Secure Your Online Life.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Vadim

    Huge… Huge… news! It’s about time Amazon!

  2. Johnny

    not working in Canada

    • Brian Burgess

      Right. As I wrote in the article, it’s currently U.S. only. Hopefully, the company is staggering it out, and it will be available in all countries soon.

    • John Lum-Budry

      If you do this, and get your number changed for whatever reason, Amazon will not help you recover your account. So all purchases such as digital movies, or music or even your prime fee will be locked with no way to gain access. I have spoken to over thirty different people, multiple supervisors, and they all say the same thing, “sorry, there’s nothing we can do.” Well that’s if they weren’t hanging up on you. Thanks amazon!!!

  3. tran long

    So if I fully verify amazon account, do I have receive reports verify mail address else after order the first item on Amazon ? Can I buy one item with big price to billing address or other billing address buy right the first time ? I once bought product on amazon after add to cart and enter my billing information is completed. Then 1 mail sent to info order and 1 mail sent is: “Your order can not be shipped Amazon.com” . It’s say something is : providing information: billing name, address, etc . So if I follow instructions verify as posts , can I order amazon not receive mail “Your order can not be shipped Amazon.com” to shipped my order ? I’m new member and don’t have experience on amazon and I in one other country , many friend want buy cheap at amazon product is also difficult to confirm account information , a few people be deleted immediately order the first time buy products and then reorder other product also del . Please guide me to get used amazon best service. Thanks you .

  4. Adriana

    I’ve activated 2 step verification for Amazon on my iphone in the Amazon app. I use the SMS code sent to my phone. It works fine. However, when I try to login to Amazon’s website from my pc, after entering my username and password, it does not send a code to my phone. It tells me to enter the OTP sent to me. I never get a OTP, to my phone or otherwise.
    I assumed since I set up 2 step verification for Amazon on the iPhone app, the same would work for logging into the website on my pc. But no, it still requires a OTP.
    I downloaded Microsoft Authenticator onto my iPhone and set up my Amazon account. It generates a new code every 30 seconds. I tried entering a code generated from the Authenticator on my phone, connected to Amazon, but that doesn’t work either.
    I’m stumped. Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

To Top