Two-Factor Authentication for connections - TeamViewer Support
<main> <article class="userContent"> <p><br></p><h2 data-id="general">General</h2><div class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote-content"><p class="blockquote-line"><em>This article applies to all Windows users using TeamViewer 15.17 (and newer) and macOS and Linux users in version 15.22 (and newer).</em></p></div></div><p>This article provides a step-by-step guide to activating <strong>Two-factor authentication for connections</strong> (also known as <strong>TFA for connections</strong>).<strong> </strong>This feature enables you to allow or deny connections via push notifications on a mobile device.</p><p><br></p><h3></h3><h2 data-id="what-is-two-factor-authentication-for-connections">What is Two-factor authentication for connections?</h2><p>TFA for connections offers an extra layer of protection to desktop computers.</p><p>When enabled, connections to that computer need to be approved using a push notification sent to specific mobile devices. </p><p><br></p><h3 data-id="-1"></h3><h2 data-id="enabling-two-factor-authentication-for-connections-and-adding-approval-devices">Enabling Two-factor authentication for connections and adding approval devices</h2><p><em>Windows and Linux:</em></p><p>1) In the TeamViewer application, click the <strong>gear icon</strong> at the top right menu.</p><p>2) Click on the <strong>Security</strong> tab on the left.</p><p>3) You will find the <strong>Two-factor authentication for connections</strong> section at the bottom.</p><p>4) Click on <strong>Configure...</strong> to open the list of approval devices.</p><p>5) To add a new mobile device to receive the push notifications, click <strong>Add</strong>.</p><p>6) You will now see a QR code that needs to be scanned by your mobile device.</p><p>Below please find a step-by-step gif for Windows, Linux, and macOS:</p><p><br></p><h3 data-id="windows">Windows</h3><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/MLPVNFJ1NIA5/tfa-for-connections.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/MLPVNFJ1NIA5/tfa-for-connections.gif" alt="TFA for connections.gif" height="632" width="1136" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p><h3 data-id="linux">Linux</h3><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/4KNESWTH2RIV/linux-add-new-device.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/4KNESWTH2RIV/linux-add-new-device.gif" alt="Linux add new device.gif" height="646" width="1070" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p><h3 data-id="macos">macOS</h3><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/RM3NQWIBO7E6/mac1-community.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/RM3NQWIBO7E6/mac1-community.gif" alt="MAC1_community.gif" height="635" width="973" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p><p>7) On the <strong>mobile device</strong>, download and install the TeamViewer Remote Control app:</p><p>a) <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teamviewer.teamviewer.market.mobile" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc">Android</a></p><p>📌<strong>Note: </strong>This feature is only available on Android 6.0 or higher.</p><p>b) <a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/teamviewer-remote-control/id692035811" rel="nofollow noreferrer ugc">iOS</a></p><p>8) In the TeamViewer Remote Control app, go to <strong>Settings</strong> → <strong>TFA for connections</strong>.</p><p>9) You will see a short explanation and the option to open the camera to scan the QR code.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-small float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/HJS4ESJJ67OE/image.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/HJS4ESJJ67OE/image.png" alt="image.png" height="2436" width="1125" loading="lazy" data-display-size="small" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p><p>10) Tap on <strong>Scan QR code</strong> and you will be asked to give the TeamViewer app permission to access the camera.</p><p>11) After permission is given, the camera will open. Point the camera at the QR code on the desktop computer (see Step 6 above).</p><p>12) The activation will happen automatically, and a success message will be displayed. </p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/RXYF1X1TT0GN/image.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/RXYF1X1TT0GN/image.png" alt="image.png" height="218" width="609" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p><p>13) The new device is now included in the list of <strong>approval devices</strong>.</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-medium float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/YRRTZ35YG59E/image.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/YRRTZ35YG59E/image.png" alt="image.png" height="422" width="398" loading="lazy" data-display-size="medium" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p><p>14) From now on, any connection to this desktop computer will need to be approved using a push notification.</p><p><strong>📌 Note:</strong> <strong>TFA for connections</strong> cannot be remotely disabled if the approval device is not accessible. Due to this, we recommend setting up an additional approval device as a backup.</p><p><br></p><h3 data-id="-2"></h3><h2 data-id="removing-approval-devices">Removing approval devices</h2><p>1) Select an approval device from the list and click <strong>Remove </strong>or the<strong> X</strong>.</p><p>2) You will be asked to confirm the action.</p><p>3) By clicking <strong>Remove </strong>again, the mobile device will be removed from the list of approval devices and won't receive any further push notifications.</p><p>4) If the <strong>Approval devices</strong> list is empty, Two-factor authentication for connections will be completely disabled.</p><p>Below please find a step by step gif for (1) Windows, (2) Linux and (3) macOS:</p><p>(1) Windows:</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/NV3HHHZN3O21/removing-approval-devices-5b1-29.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/NV3HHHZN3O21/removing-approval-devices-5b1-29.gif" alt="Removing approval devices[1).gif" height="483" width="709" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>(2) Linux:</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/P52BZRVHVJFC/linux-remove-device.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/P52BZRVHVJFC/linux-remove-device.gif" alt="linux remove device.gif" height="646" width="1070" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p>(3) macOS:</p><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/LGDIGAVC0U1F/mac2-community.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/LGDIGAVC0U1F/mac2-community.gif" alt="MAC2_community.gif" height="635" width="973" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p><br></p><h3 data-id="-3"></h3><h2 data-id="remote-connections-when-two-factor-authentication-for-connections-is-enabled">Remote connections when <strong>Two-factor authentication for connections</strong> is enabled</h2><p>TFA for connections does not replace any existing authentication method. When enabled, it adds an extra security layer against unauthorized access.</p><p>When connecting to a desktop computer protected by TFA for connections, a push notification will be sent to all of the approval devices.</p><p>You can either:</p><ul><li>accept/deny the connection request via the system notification: </li></ul><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-large float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/HIJ2V79BBCYV/image.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/HIJ2V79BBCYV/image.png" alt="image.png" height="784" width="813" loading="lazy" data-display-size="large" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <ul><li>accept/deny the connection request by tapping the TeamViewer notification. It will lead to you the following screen within the TeamViewer application to accept/deny the connection:</li></ul><div class="embedExternal embedImage display-medium float-none"> <div class="embedExternal-content"> <a class="embedImage-link" href="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/QOCX3VNS943B/image.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener ugc" target="_blank"> <img class="embedImage-img" src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6032394/uploads/QOCX3VNS943B/image.png" alt="image.png" height="709" width="382" loading="lazy" data-display-size="medium" data-float="none"></img></a> </div> </div> <p></p><p><br></p><h3 data-id="-4"></h3><h2 data-id="multiple-approval-devices">Multiple approval devices</h2><p>All approval devices in the list will receive a push notification. </p><p>The first notification that is answered on any of the devices will be used to allow or deny the connection.</p> </article> </main>
