If you lose access to the app you used to set two-factor authentication (because, say, you got a new phone and threw out your old one) you can use your backup codes to log in to your account.
Currently, you can only manage two-factor authentication and get your backup codes by logging into Reddit on your computer’s web browser.
Once you’re logged in, follow these steps:
New Reddit:
- Click on your username in the top right of your screen.
- Select User Settings and click on the Privacy & Security tab.
- Under Advanced Security, click Get your backup codes.
- Enter your password and click Continue.
- This will generate ten backup codes that can be used one time each.
Old Reddit:
- Click preferences in the top right of your screen.
- Go to the password/email tab.
- Under two-factor authentication, next to backup codes, click the generate link.
- Enter your password then click next.
- This will generate ten backup codes that can be used one time each.
We highly recommend you write your backup codes down and save them in a safe spot or store them in a password manager. You can generate new backup codes (which will invalidate and replace any old codes you have), but only if you’re already logged in to your account. So please, save them somewhere safe so you won’t lose them.
If you have more questions that aren’t covered in these FAQs, check out r/help. Someone may have had the same question, or you can ask a new one and a Reddit administrator or one of your fellow redditors will help you out.