Can I use a Facebook authenticator app on my computer?

Yes. Facebook needs an app that produces standard six-digit codes, and the Authenticator extension produces them in Chrome. It can read the QR code straight off the Facebook settings page.

Is Code Generator the same as an authentication app?

No. Code Generator lives inside the Facebook mobile app and only works on the phone where it is installed. An authentication app is separate from Facebook, so a lost phone or a signed-out Facebook app does not take your codes with it.

What if I lose access to my authentication app?

At the code prompt choose “Try another way” and use a recovery code, a security key or text message codes if you added them. Otherwise Facebook may let you confirm a sign-in from a device it already recognizes. Keeping the extension’s automatic backups on means a reinstall does not lose the account.

Why does Facebook say my code is wrong?

Usually the computer clock is off. Turn on automatic date and time and try the next code. If it still fails, the account may have been added from a QR code that was replaced — set up the authentication app again and add the new one.

Facebook Authenticator App on PC — Two-Factor Authentication

A Facebook account is also the key to Messenger, the pages and groups you run, Marketplace and every site you sign in to with Facebook — and hijacked accounts are used to scam your friends in your name. With an authentication app on, a phished password is no longer enough to get in from a new device.

Turn on two-factor authentication on Facebook

Sign in at facebook.com on your computer and click your profile picture in the top right.
Choose “Settings and privacy”, then “Settings”.
Click “Accounts Center”, then “Password and security”.
Open “Two-factor authentication”, select your Facebook account and choose “Authentication app”.
Add the QR code or key Facebook shows to the extension as described below, click “Next”, and enter the code from the extension.

Facebook’s own instructions

Add Facebook to Authenticator

Install 2FA Authenticator from the Chrome Web Store and pin it to the toolbar, so its icon is one click away.
Leave the Facebook page with the QR code open. Click the Authenticator icon, then “Add Account” → “QR Code” → “Scan QR from screen”.
The account appears in the list with a six-digit code that changes every 30 seconds. Rename it if you like — the name is only for you.
Go back to Facebook and type the current code into the confirmation field. If it is about to expire, wait for the next one.
Facebook confirms that two-factor authentication is on. From now on it will ask for a code when you sign in — click the extension icon and copy it.

No QR code, or it will not scan? Look for the option to enter a key manually on Facebook’s setup screen, copy the key, and add it in the extension with “Add Account” → “Manual” → “Secret Key”.

Get 2FA Authenticator for Chrome — free

Get your Facebook recovery codes

In Accounts Center → Password and security → Two-factor authentication, select your account, click “Additional methods” and then “Recovery codes”. Facebook gives you 10 codes, each works once, and “Get new codes” replaces the whole set. Write them down or save them away from this computer — a recovery code signs you in when the authentication app is not available.

The code is not accepted?

Almost always the computer’s clock. The codes are calculated from the current time, so a clock that is a minute off produces codes that look right and are refused. Turn on automatic date and time in your system settings — step-by-step for Windows, macOS and Linux.

If the clock is right, check the key itself: paste it into the TOTP code generator and compare the code with the one in the extension. If they differ, the key was copied wrong — add the account again.

Questions

Can I use a Facebook authenticator app on my computer?: Yes. Facebook needs an app that produces standard six-digit codes, and the Authenticator extension produces them in Chrome. It can read the QR code straight off the Facebook settings page.
Is Code Generator the same as an authentication app?: No. Code Generator lives inside the Facebook mobile app and only works on the phone where it is installed. An authentication app is separate from Facebook, so a lost phone or a signed-out Facebook app does not take your codes with it.
What if I lose access to my authentication app?: At the code prompt choose “Try another way” and use a recovery code, a security key or text message codes if you added them. Otherwise Facebook may let you confirm a sign-in from a device it already recognizes. Keeping the extension’s automatic backups on means a reinstall does not lose the account.
Why does Facebook say my code is wrong?: Usually the computer clock is off. Turn on automatic date and time and try the next code. If it still fails, the account may have been added from a QR code that was replaced — set up the authentication app again and add the new one.

Your codes, one click from the login page

Authenticator keeps your 2FA codes in the browser, on your device only — free, open source, no account and no phone needed. Local backups and optional password protection come built in.