Backup Verification codes

Backup Verification codes


What are backup verification codes?

Backup verification codes are a set of 12-digit codes that you can use to recover your Zoho account if you lose access to your MFA device or have issues signing in using MFA. These codes can be generated from accounts.zoho.com once you enable MFA for your account.

Some points to note:
  1. Once generated, the backup codes will not be displayed again. You will have to save them when you generate them.
  2. Each code can only be used once to recover your account.
  3. If you have used up all your codes or lost them, you can always generate a new set of backup codes.
  4. Whenever you generate a new set of codes, the old unused codes will become invalid.

How to generate backup verification codes?

  1. Sign in at accounts.zoho.com.
  2. Click Multi-factor Authentication in the left menu.
  3. Click MFA Recovery Options , then click Generate new codes.

    Note (for organization users): Organization admins can set up and enforce policies that restrict you from generating backup verification codes. If you are not shown the option to generate the codes, contact your administrator for clarification.
  4. You can either copy those codes and save them, or download them as a file and view them using a text editor.

How to recover account using backup verification codes?

Note : If you are locked out of your account and don't have backup verification codes, contact support@zohoaccounts.com. After verifying your identity, you will be given a backup code to sign in to your account. Once you get access to your account, reconfigure MFA and generate new backup codes.
Go to the Zoho sign-in page, then follow the corresponding instructions for your MFA mode. Once you have access to your account, reconfigure your MFA mode.

MFA mode

Instructions

SMS-based OTP

 

OTP authenticator

 

YubiKey

  1. Enter your username and password, then click SIGN IN. (or go through with your federated sign-in/SAML-based SSO option.)

  2. If you haven't configured an alternate MFA mode, click Can't access your mobile device?. If you have configured one, click Problem signing in?, then click Can't access your mobile device.

  3. Click Use backup verification codes, then enter the 12-digit backup code you have.

  4. Click VERIFY to sign in to your account.

OneAuth

(password-based)

  1. Enter your username and password, then click SIGN IN. (or go through with your federated sign-in/SAML-based SSO option.)

  2. Click Sign in another way.

  3. If you haven't configured an alternate MFA mode, click Can't access your mobile device?. If you have configured one, click Problem signing in?, then click Can't access your mobile device.

  4. Click Use backup verification codes, then enter the 12-digit backup code you have.

  5. Click VERIFY to sign in to your account.

OneAuth (passwordless)

  1. Enter your username, then click NEXT.

  2. Click Sign in another way.

  3. Click Problem signing in?.

  4. Verify yourself using one of the sign-in modes available to you.

  5. Click Use backup verification codes, then enter the 12-digit backup code you have.

  6. Click VERIFY to sign in to your account.




    • Related Articles

    • You uninstalled the OneAuth app and now you can't access your Zoho account.

      What happened? OneAuth becomes the gateway to access your account if you haven't configured any other MFA modes, such as SMS-based OTP, Time-based OTP, or YubiKey. Losing access to OneAuth after configuring it as a primary MFA mode for your Zoho ...

    • Recover our OneAuth

      Recover your OneAuth OneAuth provides a secure and seamless way to sign in to your Zoho account. However, losing access to Zoho OneAuth can get you locked out of your account, unless you have configured at least one recovery mode of Zoho OneAuth. We ...

    • How do I enable MFA for my Zoho Account?

      How do I enable MFA for my account? Sign in to your Zoho account in the left-column, click Multi-Factor Authentication. Select your preferred MFA mode. For your authentication needs, we suggest that you download OneAuth, our very own multi-factor ...

    • Zoho OAuth mobile versions

      for Android : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zoho.accounts.oneauth&hl=en_US&gl=US for iOS : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zoho-oneauth-authenticator/id1142928979#?platform=iphone

    • Zoho Accounts Help

      Sign in to your Zoho account Manage your Zoho account Multi-factor Authentication Manage your Organization OneAuth FAQs & Troubleshooting