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Why Enable 2FA on Amazon?
Amazon accounts are extremely valuable targets — they store saved payment methods, shipping addresses, purchase history, and often Amazon Pay access. A compromised account can result in fraudulent orders, gift card purchases, or unauthorized charges. Amazon calls their 2FA system "Two-Step Verification" (2SV), but it works exactly like standard 2FA: your password plus a one-time code.
Amazon does not provide backup codes. If you lose access to both your primary phone and backup number, you'll need to contact Amazon Customer Service. Make sure you add a backup phone number during setup.
Step-by-Step Setup (SMS Method)
This is the quickest way to enable 2-Step Verification on Amazon using a text message code.
Go to amazon.com and sign in to your account on a desktop or mobile browser.
Hover over Account & Lists in the top-right corner and click Account. Or, go directly to amazon.com/account.
On the Your Account page, click Login & security.
Scroll down to the Advanced Security Settings section and click the Edit button next to it.
On the Two-Step Verification page, click Get Started.
Select Phone Number as your preferred method. Enter your mobile number and click Send OTP. Enter the code you receive and click Verify code and continue.
Amazon requires a backup number. Enter a second phone number (a different phone or a family member's) and verify it the same way.
Review the summary screen, then click "Got it. Turn on Two-Step Verification." Your account is now protected.
2-Step Verification is now active. The next time you sign in from a new device or browser, Amazon will send a code to your phone.
Setup with an Authenticator App
An authenticator app is more secure than SMS because codes are generated locally on your device and can't be intercepted.
On the Two-Step Verification setup screen, select Authenticator App instead of Phone Number.
Open your authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, etc.) and scan the QR code displayed by Amazon. If you prefer, tap "Can't scan the bar code?" to get a text key you can enter manually.
Your authenticator app generates a 6-digit code. Enter it in the Amazon field and click Verify OTP and continue.
Amazon will prompt you to add a phone number as a backup. This is important — if you lose your authenticator app, the backup phone is your only recovery path. Add one and verify it.
Click "Got it. Turn on Two-Step Verification" to finish.
Adding a Backup Method Later
If you want to add or change your backup phone number later, go to Account → Login & Security → Advanced Security Settings → Edit. There you'll find a Back-up methods section where you can add a new phone number.
Trusted Devices — Skip 2FA on Devices You Use Regularly
After successfully completing 2FA on a device, Amazon will ask if you'd like to skip 2FA on that device in the future. Check the "Don't require OTP on this browser" box to mark it as trusted. Amazon will remember the device via cookies — if you clear your browser cookies, you'll be prompted for 2FA again on the next sign-in.
Don't mark shared or public computers as trusted devices. Only mark personal devices that only you use.
How to Disable Amazon 2FA
To turn off 2-Step Verification, go to Account → Login & Security → Advanced Security Settings → Edit, then click Disable next to Two-Step Verification and confirm your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up Amazon 2FA on the mobile app?
Does Amazon provide backup codes?
What's the "Alternate Sign-in" method Amazon mentions?
Will 2FA affect Amazon Alexa or other devices?
Can I use Amazon 2FA on multiple accounts?
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