Do I need Microsoft Authenticator for LinkedIn?

No. LinkedIn names Microsoft Authenticator as an example, but it accepts codes from any app that produces standard six-digit codes. The Authenticator extension generates them in Chrome on your computer — no phone needed.

Do I need two-factor authentication for Sales Navigator or Recruiter?

Yes. LinkedIn requires everyone who uses Recruiter, Campaign Manager or Sales Navigator to turn on two-factor authentication on their LinkedIn.com account, and turning it off there blocks access to those products.

What if I lose access to my authenticator?

If you are still signed in on any device, turn two-factor authentication off there and set it up again. If not, choose “verify your identity” on the code prompt — LinkedIn will ask for a photo of a government-issued ID before restoring access. A second copy of the key, or the extension’s automatic backups, avoids that.

Why does LinkedIn say my code is wrong?

Usually the computer clock is off by a minute or more. Turn on automatic date and time and try the next code. LinkedIn also says a code that is refused, or that has eight digits instead of six, means the authenticator was not set up correctly — remove the account from the extension and set it up again.

LinkedIn Authenticator App — Turn On Two-Factor Authentication

A LinkedIn account is your professional identity: your work history, your contacts and the messages recruiters and clients send you — and hijacked profiles are used to send convincing scams to everyone in your network. With two-factor authentication on, LinkedIn asks for a code whenever it does not recognize the device, so a phished password alone is not enough.

Turn on two-factor authentication on LinkedIn

LinkedIn’s help describes a secret key rather than a QR code. If no QR code appears, copy the key and add it with “Add Account” → “Manual” → “Secret Key” — the result is the same. Recruiter, Campaign Manager and Sales Navigator require two-factor authentication on your LinkedIn account; turning it off blocks access to them.

Sign in at linkedin.com on your computer and click the “Me” icon at the top of the homepage.
Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown.
Click “Sign in & security” on the left, then “Two-factor authentication”.
Click “Turn on”, then “Set up”, choose “Authenticator App” from the dropdown and click “Continue”. LinkedIn may ask for your password, a code sent to your email, or approval in the LinkedIn app.
LinkedIn shows the key for your authenticator. Leave that page open and add it to the extension as described below — then enter the six-digit code from the extension on LinkedIn to verify.

LinkedIn’s own instructions

Add LinkedIn 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 LinkedIn 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 LinkedIn and type the current code into the confirmation field. If it is about to expire, wait for the next one.
LinkedIn 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 LinkedIn’s setup screen, copy the key, and add it in the extension with “Add Account” → “Manual” → “Secret Key”.

Get 2FA Authenticator for Chrome — free

Plan a way back into LinkedIn

LinkedIn’s help pages do not describe backup codes for two-factor authentication, so make your own way back before you need it. While the key is on the screen, add it to an authenticator app on your phone as well — both will show the same codes. Keep the extension’s automatic backups on. And stay signed in to LinkedIn on one other device: from a signed-in session you can turn two-factor authentication off and set it up again.

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

Do I need Microsoft Authenticator for LinkedIn?: No. LinkedIn names Microsoft Authenticator as an example, but it accepts codes from any app that produces standard six-digit codes. The Authenticator extension generates them in Chrome on your computer — no phone needed.
Do I need two-factor authentication for Sales Navigator or Recruiter?: Yes. LinkedIn requires everyone who uses Recruiter, Campaign Manager or Sales Navigator to turn on two-factor authentication on their LinkedIn.com account, and turning it off there blocks access to those products.
What if I lose access to my authenticator?: If you are still signed in on any device, turn two-factor authentication off there and set it up again. If not, choose “verify your identity” on the code prompt — LinkedIn will ask for a photo of a government-issued ID before restoring access. A second copy of the key, or the extension’s automatic backups, avoids that.
Why does LinkedIn say my code is wrong?: Usually the computer clock is off by a minute or more. Turn on automatic date and time and try the next code. LinkedIn also says a code that is refused, or that has eight digits instead of six, means the authenticator was not set up correctly — remove the account from the extension and set it up again.

Your codes, one click from the login page

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