Mobile Authenticator
Instructions
IBKR allows eligible users to use an Authenticator app of their choice. Eligibility is based on regional criteria as a function of SMS delivery success rates. Authenticator apps follow an industry standard, referred to as TOTP. The Time-based One-Time Password is a form of two-factor authentication (2FA). It is a software-based solution, independent from phone carriers or Internet access and relies on unique numeric codes, generated offline, starting from a secret key and the current time.
The TOTP standard is supported by a number of Mobile Authenticator apps (e.g.: Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Authy) and Password Managers (e.g. 1Password, KeePass, Keeper, etc.). This wide support allows you a great degree of freedom when choosing your application. If you are already using an application with TOTP support for other services, you may simply add your IBKR user to it, otherwise you may install a Mobile Authenticator app of your choice.
Use your favorite Mobile Authenticator app or a Password Manager with TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) support to generate the authentication codes directly on your mobile device, independently from phone carriers or Internet Access.