Can I get Plex codes by text message instead?

No. Plex does not send verification codes by SMS — it needs an authenticator app. If you would rather not use your phone, the Authenticator extension generates the codes in Chrome and reads the QR code straight off the Plex Account page.

What if I lose access to my authenticator?

Sign in with a recovery code, then use a second one to turn 2FA off and set it up again. If the recovery codes are gone too, choose “Verify another way” at the code prompt to have a single-use code emailed to your account’s address — it is not a six-digit number.

A third-party Plex app does not ask for my code. How do I sign in?

Add the current six-digit code to the end of your password. If your password is “secret” and the extension shows 123456, enter secret123456 as the password. Plex’s own apps and the website ask for the code on a separate screen.

Why does Plex say my code is wrong?

Usually the computer clock is off — Plex itself warns that an inaccurate clock breaks the codes. Turn on automatic date and time and try the next code. If it still fails, remove the account from the extension and set 2FA up again with a recovery code.

Plex Authenticator App — Enable Two-Factor Authentication

A Plex account is the key to your media server: whoever signs in as you sees your libraries, the friends you share them with and your Plex Pass. Plex sends no text-message codes at all — an authenticator app is the way to protect the account, and every sign-in then asks for both your password and the six-digit code.

Turn on two-factor authentication in Plex

Plex needs a password on the account and a verified email address before 2FA can be turned on — if you only sign in with Apple or Google, set a password on your Account page first. Signing in with Apple or Google skips Plex’s own code; that provider’s verification applies instead.

Sign in to Plex in your browser on your computer and open your “Account” page.
Find the “Two-Factor Authentication” section and open it.
Click “Enable” and confirm your account password.
Plex shows a QR code. Leave it on the screen and add it to the extension as described below — if it will not scan, use the text code Plex also provides.
Enter the six-digit code from the extension in the Plex setup to complete the link.

Plex’s own instructions

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

Get 2FA Authenticator for Chrome — free

Save your 10 Plex recovery codes

Right after the code is accepted, Plex shows 10 single-use recovery codes and a button to copy them. Keep them somewhere you can reach without this computer — Plex warns against storing them on the same device as your authenticator. You can generate a fresh set on your Account page with your password and a current code; the old set stops working.

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 get Plex codes by text message instead?: No. Plex does not send verification codes by SMS — it needs an authenticator app. If you would rather not use your phone, the Authenticator extension generates the codes in Chrome and reads the QR code straight off the Plex Account page.
What if I lose access to my authenticator?: Sign in with a recovery code, then use a second one to turn 2FA off and set it up again. If the recovery codes are gone too, choose “Verify another way” at the code prompt to have a single-use code emailed to your account’s address — it is not a six-digit number.
A third-party Plex app does not ask for my code. How do I sign in?: Add the current six-digit code to the end of your password. If your password is “secret” and the extension shows 123456, enter secret123456 as the password. Plex’s own apps and the website ask for the code on a separate screen.
Why does Plex say my code is wrong?: Usually the computer clock is off — Plex itself warns that an inaccurate clock breaks the codes. Turn on automatic date and time and try the next code. If it still fails, remove the account from the extension and set 2FA up again with a recovery code.

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.