Manage multi-factor authentication
Learn how to set up MFA or 2FA through an authenticator app on Trade Me.
Learn how to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) with an authenticator app.
What is multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA),sometimes known as 2FA, adds an extra layer of security to your Trade Me account.
By asking for multiple steps or factors to log in, it makes it significantly harder for scammers to access your account, even if they know your password.
On Trade Me, the factors we use for multi-factor authentication are:
- Your Password. This is the first step, just like with most online accounts.
- Code from email. Sometimes, we'll send a unique code to your registered email address to verify your identity. This helps us maintain Trade Me as a safe and trusted marketplace.
- Authenticator app (most secure). These are third-party applications that generate a unique, one-time passcode for you to use when logging in. This is the most secure way to protect your Trade Me account.
- Recovery codes (back-up plan). Think of these as a backup plan, just in case you can’t access your authenticator app. For example, if you lose your phone.
MFA is a great way to protect yourself from phishing scams. Learn more about phishing emails and messages.
Get an authenticator app
To set up MFA on Trade Me, you’ll need to download an authenticator app. These apps generate the one-time passcodes you'll use for logging in.
The authenticator apps we recommend are:
- Google authenticator
- Microsoft authenticator
- Authy
You can download any of these apps from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. After you download one, you're ready to set up MFA.
Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) on Trade Me
To set up multi-factor authentication on Trade Me:
1. Log in to trademe.co.nz on your browser (Setting up MFA isn’t available in the iOS app or Android app).
2. Go to My Trade Me.
3. Under ‘Update my details’, select Manage multi-factor authentication.
4. Check your email inbox for the confirmation code. Enter the code from your email.
5. Select Authenticator app.
6. If you haven’t already, download a third-party authenticator app on your phone from the Apple app store or Google Playstore. After it’s downloaded, select Continue on the Trade Me website.
7. Open your authenticator app and scan the QR code from the Trade Me website.
8. Enter the code from your authenticator app.
9. Select Done.
Your authenticator app will now be your default authentication method for future logins. When you log in, you'll need to open your authenticator app to find a unique code to enter into Trade Me.
We recommend you also save your recovery codes as a backup method.
If you’re not getting the confirmation code in your email, make sure to check the junk, spam, and promotions folder of your email inbox.
Save your recovery codes
Recovery codes are a backup plan, just in case you lose access to your authenticator app (like if you lose your phone). We strongly recommend saving these codes in a secure location, like in a password manager.
To save your recovery codes:
1. Log in to trademe.co.nz on your browser (Saving recovery codes isn’t available in the iOS app or Android app).
2. Go to My Trade Me.
3. Under ‘Update my details’, select Manage multi-factor authentication.
4. Enter the code from your email.
5. Select Recovery codes.
6. Choose to download or copy the list of codes.
7. Select the back arrow in the top-left corner to exit.
Generating new recovery codes will replace any lists you might have previously saved.
If you can't access your account through MFA
If you can't access your Trade Me account through MFA, you can use your recovery codes or contact us to reset your account.
Use your recovery codes
If you saved your unique list of recovery codes when you initially set up MFA, you can use them to get back into your Trade Me account.
To use your recovery codes to get into your Trade Me account:
- Select Log in.
- Enter your email and password. Select Log in.
- Select Use another authentication method.
- Select Recovery code.
- Enter one of your saved recovery codes and select Continue.
Once you're logged in, we recommend immediately removing your old authenticator app from your Trade Me account and setting up a new one using an authenticator app you have access to.
Contact our Support Experience team for help
If you don't have your recovery codes, or if you've tried using them and are still unable to log in, contact our Support Experience team for help.
Stop multi-factor authentication
If you’ve changed your mind about using MFA, you can remove it from your account. To stop MFA on Trade Me:
1. Log in to trademe.co.nz on your browser (Setting up MFA isn’t available in the iOS app or Android app).
2. Go to My Trade Me.
3. Under ‘Update my details’, select Manage multi-factor authentication.
4. Select Authenticator app.
5. Select Remove authenticator app authentication.
6. Select Continue to confirm.
7. Select the arrow in the top-left corner to exit.