How do I log in if I lose my two-factor authentication device?

If you’ve successfully entered your username and password but don’t have access to your 2FA device, you can log in using the backup method you chose when you set up 2FA, which is either backup codes or SMS.

  • Backup codes: Locate the backup recovery codes text file, which by default is called digitalocean_backupcodes.txt. Use one of the codes by logging in to the control panel and clicking Enter a recovery code at the bottom of the Two-factor authentication screen. When you use the code, you cannot use it again, so you may want to mark it as used or delete it from the file.

  • SMS Log in to the control panel and enter your account credentials. Click Send an SMS instead at the bottom of the Two-factor authentication screen. This sends an SMS with a verification code to the phone number you entered when you configured SMS as your backup method. Enter the verification code at the prompt, then click Verify Code.

After you log in, update your 2FA device or disable 2FA.

If you can’t use your backup method to access your account, open a support ticket using the email associated with your DigitalOcean account and explain that you need to reset your backup method. In this case, we require additional information to verify that you are the account owner, so be prepared with a photo of your government-issued ID (for example, a passport, driver’s license, or military ID). The name on the ID in the photo must match the name for the account information that we have on file.

If your account is locked during sign-up, contact DigitalOcean support so we can authorize your access to your account.
You can disable device verification by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) or by authenticating with Google or GitHub.
Use the Can’t Sign In form to send a support request if you can’t sign into your account.