Skip to main content
We publish frequent updates to our documentation, and translation of this page may still be in progress. For the most current information, please visit the English documentation.
 
2022-11-28 (latest)

 

Accessing GitHub using two-factor authentication

In this article

With 2FA enabled, you'll be asked to provide your 2FA authentication code, as well as your password, when you sign in to GitHub Enterprise Cloud.

With two-factor authentication enabled, you'll need to provide an authentication code when accessing GitHub Enterprise Cloud through your browser. If you access GitHub Enterprise Cloud using other methods, such as the API or the command line, you'll need to use an alternative form of authentication. For more information, see "About authentication to GitHub."

Providing a 2FA code when signing in to the website

After you sign in to GitHub Enterprise Cloud using your password, you'll be prompted to provide an authentication code from a text message or your TOTP app.

GitHub Enterprise Cloud will only ask you to provide your 2FA authentication code again if you've logged out, are using a new device, or your session expires.

Generating a code through a TOTP application

If you chose to set up two-factor authentication using a TOTP application on your smartphone, you can generate an authentication code for GitHub Enterprise Cloud at any time. In most cases, just launching the application will generate a new code. You should refer to your application's documentation for specific instructions.

If you delete the mobile application after configuring two-factor authentication, you'll need to provide your recovery code to get access to your account. For more information, see "Recovering your account if you lose your two-factor authentication credentials"

Receiving a text message

If you set up two-factor authentication via text messages, GitHub Enterprise Cloud will send you a text message with your authentication code.

Verifying with GitHub Mobile

If you have installed and signed in to GitHub Mobile, you may choose to authenticate with GitHub Mobile for two-factor authentication.

  1. Sign in to GitHub Enterprise Cloud with your browser, using your username and password.

  2. If you have added a security key to your account, you'll first be prompted to insert and use a security key. To skip using a security key, click Authenticate with GitHub Mobile. Two-factor authentication challenge on GitHub Enterprise Cloud with "Authenticate with GitHub Mobile" highlighted

  3. GitHub Enterprise Cloud will send you a push notification to verify your sign in attempt. Opening the push notification or opening the GitHub Mobile app will display a prompt, asking you to approve or reject this sign in attempt.

    Note: This prompt may require you to enter a two-digit number displayed within the browser you are signing in to.

    Two-factor authentication challenge with GitHub Mobile requiring a two-digit input

    • Upon approving the login attempt using GitHub Mobile, your browser will complete the sign in attempt automatically.
    • Rejecting the sign in attempt will prevent the authentication from finishing. For more information, see "Keeping your account and data secure."

Using two-factor authentication with the command line

After you've enabled 2FA, you will no longer use your password to access GitHub Enterprise Cloud on the command line. Instead, use Git Credential Manager, a personal access token, or an SSH key.

Authenticating on the command line using Git Credential Manager

Git Credential Manager is a secure Git credential helper that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. For more information about Git credential helpers, see Avoiding repetition in the Pro Git book.

Setup instructions vary based on your computer's operating system. For more information, see Download and install in the GitCredentialManager/git-credential-manager repository.

Authenticating on the command line using HTTPS

After you've enabled 2FA, you must create a personal access token to use as a password when authenticating to GitHub Enterprise Cloud on the command line using HTTPS URLs.

When prompted for a username and password on the command line, use your GitHub Enterprise Cloud username and personal access token. The command line prompt won't specify that you should enter your personal access token when it asks for your password.

For more information, see "Creating a personal access token."

Authenticating on the command line using SSH

Enabling 2FA doesn't change how you authenticate to GitHub Enterprise Cloud on the command line using SSH URLs. For more information about setting up and using an SSH key, see "Connecting to GitHub with SSH."

Using two-factor authentication to access a repository using Subversion

When you access a repository via Subversion, you must provide a personal access token instead of entering your password. For more information, see "Creating a personal access token."

Troubleshooting

If you lose access to your two-factor authentication credentials, you can use your recovery codes or another recovery method (if you've set one up) to regain access to your account. For more information, see "Recovering your account if you lose your 2FA credentials."

If your authentication fails several times, you may wish to synchronize your phone's clock with your mobile provider. Often, this involves checking the "Set automatically" option on your phone's clock, rather than providing your own time zone.

Further reading