Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra security step to your Obvious account, asking for a code from your phone each time you sign in. Once enabled, signing in requires both your password and a time-sensitive code from an authenticator app.

What you'll need

• An authenticator app on your phone (Google Authenticator, 1Password, Authy, or similar)
• Your Obvious account password

Note: If you signed up with Google or another social provider and haven't set a password yet, you'll need to set one before you can enable 2FA.

Enable 2FA

The quickest way: ask the agent.

Enable two-factor authentication on my account

The agent walks you through the setup. If you'd rather do it yourself, here's the manual path.

1. Open Settings from the bottom of the left sidebar.
2. Click Security.
3. Click Enable two-factor authentication.
4. Enter your account password and click Get started.
5. Open your authenticator app and scan the QR code that appears. If your app can't scan QR codes, click Can't scan? Enter code manually and type the text code into your app instead.
6. Click Continue.
7. Enter the 6-digit code your authenticator app generates and wait for it to verify. If the code doesn't work, check that the time on your phone is correct — authenticator codes are time-sensitive.
8. Save your backup codes (see below), then click I've saved my backup codes.

That's it. Your account now requires both your password and a code from your authenticator app every time you sign in.

Save your backup codes

During setup, Obvious generates a set of one-time backup codes. These are your safety net if you lose access to your authenticator app — each code works once.

• Click Copy codes to copy them to your clipboard.
• Click Download to save them as a text file (obvious-backup-codes.txt).

Store them somewhere secure and separate from your phone. A password manager or a printed copy in a safe place both work.

Warning: If you lose your phone and don't have your backup codes, you won't be able to sign in. Save them now.

Sign in with 2FA

After 2FA is enabled, signing in works like this:

1. Enter your email and password as usual.
2. Obvious asks for a 6-digit code. Open your authenticator app and enter the current code.
3. You're in.

If you don't have your authenticator app available, click Use a backup code instead and enter one of your saved backup codes.

Regenerate backup codes

If you think your backup codes were exposed, or you've used most of them, you can generate a new set. Open Settings, click Security, then click Regenerate backup codes. This immediately invalidates all your old codes — download and store the new set before closing the window.

Disable 2FA

If you need to turn off two-factor authentication, open Settings, click Security, then click Disable two-factor authentication. You'll be asked to confirm with your current 2FA code or a backup code.

Next steps

• Account Settings — manage your profile and other account preferences
• Security best practices — keep your Obvious account secure