Can I use Zoom two-step verification without a phone?

Yes. Zoom’s requirements mention an Android or iOS device, but it accepts any app that supports the TOTP standard — and the Authenticator extension is one, running in Chrome on your computer. It reads the QR code straight off your Zoom Profile page.

Does the Zoom desktop app ask for the code too?

Yes. With two-step verification on, the web portal, the desktop app, the mobile app and Zoom Rooms all ask for the code after your password. Click the extension’s icon in Chrome, copy the code and paste it in.

What if I lose access to my authenticator?

At sign-in click “Try another way” → “Recovery codes” and enter one of your codes, then use “Change Device” under Two-Step Verification in your Profile to set the authenticator up again. Without recovery codes, ask your Zoom admin to reset your two-step verification — Zoom then has you set it up anew at the next sign-in.

Why does Zoom 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 fails during setup, click “Back” to show the QR code again and add the account to the extension anew.

Zoom Authenticator App — Turn On Two-Step Verification

A Zoom account holds your meetings, recordings, contacts and chats, and whoever signs in can host meetings in your name. With two-step verification on, a password alone no longer gets anyone into the web portal, the desktop app, the mobile app or a Zoom Room — each also asks for the six-digit code. Without it, Zoom sends an email code only when a sign-in looks unusual.

Turn on two-step verification in Zoom

Two-step verification is for accounts that sign in with an email address and password — what Zoom calls the work email login type. On a company or school account your admin decides: they can turn it on for everyone, choose which methods are allowed, and reset it if you lose your device. If your admin has turned it on, Zoom asks you to set it up the next time you sign in to the web portal.

Sign in to the Zoom web portal at zoom.us on your computer.
In the navigation menu, click “Profile”.
Under “Sign In”, find “Two-Step Verification” — click “Turn On” if it is off — then click “Set Up” to the right of “Authentication App”.
Enter your password and click “Next”.
Zoom shows a QR code. Leave it on the screen and add it to the extension as described below — then click “Next”, enter the six-digit code from the extension and click “Verify”.

Zoom’s own instructions

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

As soon as the code is verified, Zoom shows a list of recovery codes. Click “Download” or “Print”, then “Done”, and keep them somewhere other than this computer — each code works once. At sign-in, “Try another way” → “Recovery codes” gets you in without the authenticator. You can see the list again under Profile → Sign In → Two-Step Verification → Recovery Codes → “View Codes”.

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 Zoom two-step verification without a phone?: Yes. Zoom’s requirements mention an Android or iOS device, but it accepts any app that supports the TOTP standard — and the Authenticator extension is one, running in Chrome on your computer. It reads the QR code straight off your Zoom Profile page.
Does the Zoom desktop app ask for the code too?: Yes. With two-step verification on, the web portal, the desktop app, the mobile app and Zoom Rooms all ask for the code after your password. Click the extension’s icon in Chrome, copy the code and paste it in.
What if I lose access to my authenticator?: At sign-in click “Try another way” → “Recovery codes” and enter one of your codes, then use “Change Device” under Two-Step Verification in your Profile to set the authenticator up again. Without recovery codes, ask your Zoom admin to reset your two-step verification — Zoom then has you set it up anew at the next sign-in.
Why does Zoom 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 fails during setup, click “Back” to show the QR code again and add the account to the extension anew.

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.