Prepare your Yahoo account
Make sure your recovery email and phone number are current. If you use Yahoo Account Key, follow Yahoo’s instructions to turn it off before enrolling in 2-step verification. Complete the new enrollment before leaving your account.
- Open your Yahoo Account Security page.
- Under Ways of signing in, choose 2-step verification.
- Select Authenticator app → Continue.
Add Yahoo to Sign In
You can use Sign In, our authenticator app for codes on your iPhone.
- With the setup QR code on another screen, open Sign In and tap Add → Scan QR Code.
- Scan the code, review the account details, and tap Add Account.
- Back on Yahoo, select Continue, enter the current code from Sign In, and choose Done.
If the service offers a setup key, you can enter it manually. Otherwise, use a second screen for the QR code. In Sign In, choose Add → Enter Setup Key, set Service to Yahoo and Account to your account name, paste the secret into Key, then tap Add Account. Keep this key private.
Prepare for a lost phone
Keep at least two recovery methods you can still access. If Yahoo supplies an emergency recovery code, store it securely away from your phone.
If you cannot receive or generate the requested code, use the alternative method offered on Yahoo’s sign-in screen. Follow Yahoo’s Sign-in Helper if you remain locked out. Recovery depends on the options available for your account.
Other verification methods
Yahoo also documents phone verification and security keys. Use the methods offered in your account’s security settings. Phone codes require access to the registered number; a hardware security key must be available when needed.
If a code does not work
Make sure the Yahoo entry in Sign In matches the account you are using. Wait for a fresh code, then enter it before it changes. If fresh codes keep failing, check that your iPhone uses automatic date and time.
Keep a working sign-in session and your recovery information available while resolving the problem. Adding an entry to Sign In does not finish enrollment: the service must accept a code and confirm activation.