How to Set up Two-Step Verification on Your LinkedIn Account

Enabling two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication – 2FA) for every account you have is highly recommended. Whether it’s your Microsoft 365 account, banking or LinkedIn profile.

2FA offers a secondary level of protection to help secure your account. It requires you to use your first layer of protection, typically a username and a strong password, as well as setting up a second layer of verification to be able to login to your account. It is recommended that LinkedIn members turn on this function as it can reduce the risk of identity theft and unauthorised access to the information in your account.

LinkedIn offers two options for your second verification method: an authenticator app or a phone number for SMS verification. Authenticator apps link to your account and create codes which you use as your second layer of verification. If you decide to use this method, you will need to ensure your phone is compatible with the app. If you choose the phone number option, you will be sent an SMS to your listed phone number with a unique 6-digit code – Don’t worry you don’t have to do this every time you login if you select “Recognize this device in future.”

The way to setup two-step verification on LinkedIn slightly varies depending on what device you use. The two guides below outline how you can set it up on both desktop and mobile.

Turning on Two-Step Verification on Desktop

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account
2. Select Me underneath your profile picture at the top of the page
3. In the dropdown menu that appears, select Settings & Privacy
4. Under Sign in & security, select Two-step verification
5. If 2FA is turned off, select “turn on”
6. Drop-down options will then appear and you can choose either the Authentication App or Phone number as your verification method. Once decided, select Continue to link the verification method with your account

Turning on Two-Step Verification on Mobile

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account
2. Select your profile picture and then select Settings
3. Under Sign in & security, select Two-step verification and then Set up
4. From here you can choose either the Authentication App or Phone number as your verification method. Once decided, select Continue to link the verification method with your account