Two-factor authentication (2FA) security

You can set up the two-factor authentication security measure on your account(s) when you’re logged in to our award-winning trading platform* via desktop, mobile app or tablet, by following the processes below.

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How to set up 2FA on the platform

Follow the below steps to set up two-factor authentication on the platform via desktop:

Log into your account (or register for an account).
Access the ‘Settings’ dropdown menu in the navigation bar at the top of the window.
Select 'Two-factor authentication'.
On-screen instructions will guide you through the setup process for mobile app activation – via scanning a barcode or manual entry – or text message (SMS) activation.
Once you’ve selected either mobile app or text message for your 2FA method for withdrawals, you’ll instantly be protected for withdrawals. You can also choose to enable 2FA when logging in to your account for additional security, by selecting the ‘Enable 2FA for login?’ box.
To amend or switch off the 2FA security measure settings, simply update the details in the same section.

How to set up 2FA on mobile/tablet devices

The process for activating 2FA on the iOS and Android apps is very similar to the platform. The screenshots below are from an iPhone, but Android and tablet devices follow very similar paths. Learn more about our mobile trading app.

From the home screen, access the ‘More’ menu and select ‘Settings’.
In the security section, tap 'Two-factor authentication' and then choose either 'Mobile app'* or 'Text message (SMS)'.
Tap the toggle (to blue) to activate and reveal options.
Once you’ve selected either mobile app or text message for your 2FA method, you’ll instantly be protected for withdrawals. To enable 2FA for when you log in to your account for additional security, toggle (to blue) to activate under ‘Login’ > ‘Enable 2FA for login?’.

*For the app, we provide instructions to configure the Google authenticator app either manually or by scanning a barcode, but you can use any other RFC 6238-compliant one-time password (OTP) generating app.

Note that using the barcode method is only possible with a second device, since you can’t scan the barcode on the device it’s displayed on. The second device will be the one you will subsequently need to use to generate OTPs.

Using only one device, you can simply enter your phone number to receive OTPs by SMS.

* #1 Web Platform, ForexBrokers.com Awards, 2023; #1 Most Currency Pairs, ForexBrokers.com Awards, 2023; Best Charting (Germany), Investment Trends Leverage Trading Report, 2023; Best Customer Service (Germany), Investment Trends Leverage Trading Report, 2023; Best In-House Analysts, Professional Trader Awards, 2022; No.1 Platform Technology (UK), ForexBrokers.com Awards, 2022; Best CFD Provider (UK), Online Money Awards, 2022; Industry Pioneer with "Outstanding" Customer Rating (Germany), Focus Money Test Edition 36/2022, 2022; "Very good" Trading Platform (Germany), Deutsches Kundeninstitut (DKI) Survey, 2022; Best Mobile Trading Platform (UK), ADVFN International Financial Awards, 2022; Best Spread Betting Provider (UK), City of London Wealth Management Awards, 2021.
** 1.388 million unique user logins for the CMC Markets invest and CFD platforms globally, as at August 2023.

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