Do I need a Galaxy phone or Microsoft Authenticator for Samsung?

No. Samsung names Microsoft Authenticator as an example, but its authenticator option uses standard six-digit codes that any authenticator app produces. The Authenticator extension reads the QR code straight off the Samsung account website and generates the codes in Chrome.

Can I turn off two-step verification on my Samsung account?

No — Samsung says two-step verification cannot be disabled. You can choose which methods you use, and tick “Skip two-step verification on this phone next time” on a device you trust so it stops asking there.

What if I lose access to my authenticator?

Sign in with a text-message code to your registered phone number, a code on one of your Galaxy devices, or a backup code — then set the authenticator up again. After too many code requests Samsung blocks text and voice codes for a few hours; it suggests waiting 24 hours, and otherwise contacting Samsung support.

Why does Samsung 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. If it still fails, the account may have been added from an old QR code — remove it from the extension and add the authenticator app again.

Samsung Account Authenticator App — Add It to Two-Step Verification

A Samsung account ties together your Galaxy phone and tablet, Samsung Cloud backups and Samsung Pay. Two-step verification is part of it — Samsung says it cannot be turned off — and by default the codes come by text message or to your Galaxy devices. An authenticator app gives you codes that do not depend on signal, on your phone number or on having a Galaxy device at hand.

Add an authenticator app to your Samsung account

At least one phone number has to be registered for text-message codes; the authenticator is added alongside it. Samsung names Microsoft Authenticator as an example, but any standard app works. On a Galaxy phone the same settings are under Settings → your name → Security and privacy → Two-step verification.

Go to the Samsung account website on your computer and sign in.
Select “Security”, enter your password and select “Confirm”.
In the “Password and security” section, select “Two-step verification”.
Select “Authenticator app”. The “Set up your authenticator app” page shows a QR code and a key.
Leave the QR code on the screen and add it to the extension as described below — then click “Next”, enter the code from the extension under “Verify your authenticator app” and click “Verify”.

Samsung’s own instructions

Add Samsung 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 Samsung 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 Samsung and type the current code into the confirmation field. If it is about to expire, wait for the next one.
Samsung 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 Samsung’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 Samsung backup codes

Under Security → Two-step verification → “Backup codes”, Samsung shows your codes — download or print them and keep them away from this computer. They have to be saved in advance to be any use, and each works once; when they run out, “Get new codes” on the same page gives you a fresh set. To use one, choose “Didn’t get the verification code?” at sign-in, then “Verify with backup code”.

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 a Galaxy phone or Microsoft Authenticator for Samsung?: No. Samsung names Microsoft Authenticator as an example, but its authenticator option uses standard six-digit codes that any authenticator app produces. The Authenticator extension reads the QR code straight off the Samsung account website and generates the codes in Chrome.
Can I turn off two-step verification on my Samsung account?: No — Samsung says two-step verification cannot be disabled. You can choose which methods you use, and tick “Skip two-step verification on this phone next time” on a device you trust so it stops asking there.
What if I lose access to my authenticator?: Sign in with a text-message code to your registered phone number, a code on one of your Galaxy devices, or a backup code — then set the authenticator up again. After too many code requests Samsung blocks text and voice codes for a few hours; it suggests waiting 24 hours, and otherwise contacting Samsung support.
Why does Samsung 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. If it still fails, the account may have been added from an old QR code — remove it from the extension and add the authenticator app 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.