Getting Started
Entering secret setup keys manually
Pair2FA Security Team
·Updated 1 week ago
·2 min read
Manual Base32 key entry guide for headless servers, remote RDP setups, or camera-less devices.
When to use Manual Entry
If your device camera is unavailable, if you are configuring 2FA on a remote headless server via SSH, or if your service provider presents text setup strings, manual secret entry is the recommended method.
Step-by-Step Manual Setup
1. Copy the 16-to-32 character Base32 setup key provided by your service (e.g. JBSWY3DPEHPK3PXP).
2. Open Pair2FA dashboard and click '+ Add Account' > 'Enter Key Manually'.
3. Enter an Account Label (e.g. Production AWS Admin) and paste the Secret Key.
4. Click 'Save Account'. Live 30-second codes will begin generating immediately.
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