Skip to main content
  1. ID.me Help Center
  2. Account Management
  3. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Changing the phone you use for multi-factor authentication (MFA)

If you got a new phone number and don’t have access to the phone you used to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA), you must update your settings. This also applies if you:

  • Lost your phone
  • Changed phone providers
  • Upgraded or deactivated your phone

To sign in to your ID.me account, you can enter your recovery code or update your MFA settings. This article explains both of these processes.

Tip: If you don’t have your recovery code or never saved one, go to Option 2 - Update your MFA settings to sign in.

Option 1 - Enter your recovery code

If you saved and have the recovery code from when you initially set up your MFA method, you can enter it to sign in. Otherwise, go to Option 2. To enter your recovery code:

  1. Go to the ID.me sign in page.
  2. Sign in using your email address and password or with your social media or third-party account. If you don’t remember your password, you can reset it.
  3. Select the Recovery code link.
  4. Enter your recovery code, then select Continue.
  5. Download or write down your new recovery code.
  6. You’ll also want to choose and set up a new MFA method. We recommend setting up at least two methods.

Keep in mind:

  • Your recovery code can only be used one time.
  • If you use the recovery code to log in, you will be prompted to generate a new one.

Option 2 - Update your MFA settings

To update the phone number you use for your ID.me account, you’ll need to sign in to your ID.me account, confirm your email address, enter your information, then set up a new MFA method.

1. Sign in and confirm your email address

To get started:

  1. Go to the ID.me sign in page.
  2. Enter your email address and password, then select Sign in or sign in with your social media or third-party account. If you don’t remember your password, you can reset it. After you’re signed in, the “Complete your sign in” page displays.
  3. Select Update your settings here. If you have more than one MFA method set up, select any method, then select Update your settings here.
    Complete_your_sign_in.png
  4. In the “Update Multi-Factor Authentication” window, select Continue and keep this browser tab open.
    Update_MFA.png
  5. Check your email inbox for an email from ID.me with the subject—confirm your email to update multi-factor settings. You may need to check your spam folder.
  6. In the email, select Confirm your email. If that doesn’t work, copy and enter the 6-digit code into the “Confirm Your Email Address” sign-in screen.
    Confirm_your_email_address.png

2. Enter your personal information

Go back to the “Update Multi-Factor Authentication” window and enter your information to verify your account ownership, then select Continue. After your account ownership is verified, select Continue.

Tip: If any of your information, like a mailing address, has changed since you initially verified, try entering your previous address.

Your_Identity_Has_Been_Verified_screen.png

3. Set up your MFA method

Select an MFA method you’d like to set up and complete your update. For help deciding which method to use, visit Getting started with multi-factor authentication.
MFA_options.png

After you set up an MFA method, you’ll see a “Your Account is Now Secure” message.
Your_account_is_now_secure.png

Was this article helpful?
136 out of 585 found this helpful