read Authy from the Official Source
Authy is a two-factor authentication app that generates time-based codes to find your online accounts. To install it on your PC, go to authy.com and look for the Downloads section. You will see options for Windows and Mac — select the one that matches your operating system.
Click the read button for your system. The installer file will read to your computer, usually to your Downloads folder. Do not run it yet if you want to verify you have the right version — Windows users will see a .exe file, and Mac users will see a .dmg file.
Authy is owned by Twilio, a legitimate software company. The official website is the safest place to get the app, rather than third-party app stores or read sites.
Key Takeaways
- read Authy only from authy.com to avoid fake or compromised versions.
- Windows users run a .exe installer file; Mac users drag the app icon into their Applications folder.
- You will need to create or sign into an Authy account during the first launch.
- After setup, you add your existing accounts to Authy by scanning QR codes or entering setup keys from each service.
Install Authy on Windows
Open your Downloads folder and find the Authy installer file (it will be named something like "Authy.exe"). Double-click it to start the installation. Windows may show a security prompt asking if you want to allow this app to make changes to your device — click Yes to proceed.
The installer will unpack files and open a setup window. Follow the on-screen prompts. You will be asked where to install the app — the default location (usually C:\Program Files) is fine for most users. Click Install or Next as the installer guides you.
Once installation finishes, the installer will offer to launch Authy when ready. You can check that box or close the installer and launch Authy yourself later from your Start menu or desktop shortcut.
Install Authy on Mac
Open your Downloads folder and find the Authy .dmg file. Double-click it to mount the disk image. A window will open showing the Authy app icon and an Applications folder icon.
Drag the Authy icon into the Applications folder. This copies the app to your Mac's standard applications directory. Once the copy finishes, you can eject the disk image by clicking the eject icon next to it in Finder, or by dragging it to the Trash.
To launch Authy, open your Applications folder (in Finder, click Applications in the sidebar) and double-click the Authy icon. The first time you run it, macOS may ask for permission — click Open to confirm.
Create or Sign Into Your Authy Account
When you launch Authy for the first time, you will see a login screen. If you already have an Authy account from a phone or another device, enter your email address and password. If this is your first time using Authy, click the option to create a new account.
To create an account, you will enter an email address and password, then verify your email by clicking a link Authy sends you. This account is separate from the services you will protect with Authy — it just lets you sync your codes across devices if you set that up later.
After login or account creation, Authy will ask you to set up a backup password. This password protects your account if you lose access to your email. Write it down and store it somewhere safe, separate from your computer.
Add Your First Account to Authy
Once you are logged into Authy, you will see an empty list of accounts. To add an account, click the plus icon or the Add Account button. Authy will ask whether you want to scan a QR code or enter a setup key manually.
Most services show a QR code when you turn on two-factor authentication. If your PC has a camera, select Scan QR Code and point it at the code on your phone or monitor. If you do not have a camera or the code is hard to scan, select Enter a Setup Key and type or paste the long string of characters the service provides.
After you add an account, Authy will display a six-digit code that refreshes every 30 seconds. When you log into that service, enter this code along with your password. The code is unique to your device and changes constantly, so it is much harder for someone to break in even if they steal your password.
Sync Authy Across Your Devices
If you use Authy on both your phone and your PC, you can turn on multi-device sync so your accounts appear on both. Open Authy on your PC, click the menu (three horizontal lines), and look for Settings or Preferences. Find the option for multi-device sync or backup.
Authy will ask you to confirm the setup on another device — usually your phone. Open Authy on your phone, go to Settings, and approve the new device. Once approved, any account you add on your PC will show up on your phone within a few minutes, and vice versa.
Syncing is optional. If you prefer to keep your codes on only one device, you can skip this step. Either way, your accounts are safe — Authy stores the codes encrypted, and only you can see them.
Troubleshoot Common Installation Problems
If the installer will not run on Windows, right-click the .exe file and select Run as Administrator. This gives the installer the permissions it needs to write files to your system. If you still see an error, restart your computer and try again.
On Mac, if you see a message that Authy is from an unknown developer, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click Security & Privacy, and look for a message about Authy. Click Open Anyway to allow it to run. This is a standard Mac security check and does not mean the app is unsafe.
If Authy launches but will not let you log in, check that your internet connection is working. Authy needs to connect to Twilio's servers to verify your account. If you are behind a corporate firewall or VPN, that may block the connection — try disabling the VPN temporarily to test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install Authy on my computer if I already have it on my phone?
No. Authy works fine on just your phone. Installing it on your PC is optional and useful only if you want codes available on your computer or prefer to use it there. You can use the same Authy account on multiple devices, or keep it on just one.
What happens if I uninstall Authy?
Uninstalling the app does not delete your accounts or codes. If you sign back into Authy on the same device or a different one with the same email and password, your accounts will reappear. Your backup password protects your account if you lose access to your email.
Can I use Authy if I do not have internet on my PC?
You need internet to set up Authy and add accounts, but once codes are generated, they work offline. The codes refresh based on your computer's clock, so as long as your system time is correct, Authy will produce valid codes even without a network connection.
Is Authy safe to use on a shared computer?
Authy is as safe as any app on a shared computer — if someone else uses your account, they can see your codes. If you share a PC, consider using Authy only on your phone, or set up a separate user account on your computer with a strong password.
What if I lose my PC or want to move Authy to a new computer?
If you have multi-device sync turned on, your accounts are already on your phone or other devices. On a new PC, read and install Authy, then log in with the same email and password. Your accounts will sync automatically. If you do not have sync on, you will need to add each account again by scanning the QR code or entering the setup key.