Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA for short) is a great way to add an extra layer of security to your Discord account to help you stay in control of logging in.

Discord supports the newest standards for authentication: Passkeys and Security Keys, an easier to use and more secure way to sign into your account! Passkeys are encrypted digital keys you create using your fingerprint, face, or screen lock, and they can be stored in a password manager. When you log into Discord, your device will prompt you to identify yourself using a Passkey/Security Key (e.g., with Face ID), and then you’re logged in! No password needed.

All you’ll need to do is Register a Passkey. Once you’ve done that, you’re set! The next time you sign in, you’ll be able to use that passkey for one-step login - see below for more details.

How to Register Passkeys

Mobile

1. Tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner and then tap on the cogwheel [] in the top-right corner. 

2. Tap on Account then select Security Keys. 

3. Tap Add to begin the setup process. You may be asked to confirm your password or complete an MFA challenge, if you already have one enrolled.

4. Your device will prompt you to save the passkey with a password manager. If you want more options on where to save your passkey or want to use an advanced configuration, tap Other Options.

5. Once you finish registering your key, you can choose a name for it. When you’re done, tap Finish.

6. And you’re done! Make sure to download and store your backup codes.

Desktop/Browser

1. Start by selecting the the cogwheel [] next to your username.

2. This will open your User Settings and take you to the My Account page. While here, you will be able to view the Multi-Factor Authentication options under the Password and Authentication section.

3. To set up a Security Key, select Register a Security Key and follow the prompts to reauthenticate.

4. Tap Let’s go to start the Passkey enrollment process. You’ll be prompted by your operating system, if supported, to enroll a Passkey. On MacOS, it looks like this:

5. After enrolling MFA, the Discord app will also have a list of backup codes for login: each of these can be used once instead of a code generated by your app, in case you lose access to it. Make sure to download and store these backup codes! If you lose these, Discord can’t help you get back into your account.

And you’re done!

You can now register another Security Key on this device or a different device (you can have up to 16 security keys/passkeys at the same time).

Passwordless Login with Passkeys

Using your passkey to log in is simple! As long as you have a password manager available with a passkey saved in it, you will be prompted to select a passkey. If you’re not getting prompted, you can always tap on Or, sign in with Passkey instead. Your system will prompt you to select the Passkey associated with your account and complete a challenge (e.g., Face ID), then you’re logged in!

How to Use Security Keys

While Security Keys function similarly to passkeys, they generally cannot be used for one-step login on Discord. Fear not! You’ll still be able to use Security Keys as a form of MFA - when you log in, you’ll get an additional challenge after entering your username and password to use you security key:

Press Authenticate with security key to interact with your Security Key, and you’re in!

Passkey Troubleshooting

Having issues with your passkey when trying to log in? Here are some troubleshooting steps to try if your passkey isn’t working for any reason:

First, try using your username and password to log in, then using your Passkey on the following MFA Challenge screen. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to delete the existing Passkey from both your device and Discord account, then set it up once again. To do this:

1. Make sure you have your Discord backup codes handy just in case. Open your password manager and remove the passkey from your saved credentials for Discord. Refer to your password manager’s documentation for details on how to do this.

2. Use a different MFA method or device to complete the challenge. If you don’t have another set up, you can use a backup code from the list you saved to complete the MFA challenge and finish the login.

3. Go to your Account Settings and repeat the enrollment process to register a new passkey with your password manager. See How to Register Passkeys above for more details, and be sure to remember what you name it!

4. From the Account Settings screen, delete the old passkey associated with your Discord account.

And now you’re starting fresh! Following these steps ensures your remaining saved backup codes continue to work while enrolling a new Passkey.