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US Patent and Trademark Office

Government · uspto.gov

Four second factors on offer: authenticator app, text message, phone call and email code. The strongest is an authenticator app.

Recommended setup

Authenticator app

Codes made on your phone, offline. Much safer than a text message, which can be stolen with a SIM swap.

AppAuthenticator appBest option
SMSText messageSupported
CallPhone callSupported
EmailEmail codeSupported

Not offered: security key, approval in an app, hardware token.

Switch it on

General steps; menu names vary. US Patent and Trademark Office's own guide has the exact screens.

  1. Sign in to US Patent and Trademark Office and open your account's security settings. Look for two-step verification or two-factor authentication. US Patent and Trademark Office's own guide shows the exact screens.
  2. Choose authenticator app. A QR code appears.
  3. Open your authenticator app, add an account and scan the QR code. Type the 6-digit code it shows to confirm.
  4. Save the backup codes. Keep them in your password manager or print them; they're your way back in if you lose your phone or key.
US Patent and Trademark Office's setup guide ↗