2FAuth: The Self-Hosted 2FA Manager

Two-factor authentication has become essential to our digital security. Yet most popular platforms—Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator—trade your privacy for convenience, lock your 2FA codes behind proprietary walls, and offer limited backup options that could leave you stranded. 2FAuth is here to change that. This open-source, self-hosted 2FA manager puts you back in control, offering a beautifully modern, lightning-fast, and privacy-first way to secure your accounts—on your terms.

Website: https://2fauth.app/

Why Choose 2FAuth?

In a landscape dominated by closed-source, mobile-centric 2FA apps, 2FAuth stands out with a radically different approach:

• Privacy First All your 2FA codes are stored locally on your server, never sent to corporate clouds unless you choose. Your authentication secrets remain yours—no data mining, no third-party analytics, no risk of service shutdowns.
• Desktop-Friendly Experience Unlike mobile-only authenticators, 2FAuth runs in your browser with a responsive web interface. Generate codes on your desktop without reaching for your phone every time.
• Advanced Account Management Organize your 2FA accounts using custom groups, edit imported accounts, and add custom entries with an advanced form. Go beyond the limitations of basic authenticator apps.
• Universal Import Support Import from Google Authenticator QR codes, Aegis Auth JSON files, 2FAS Auth exports, and more. Never lose your 2FA accounts when switching platforms.
• Modern Security Features Support for TOTP, HOTP, and Steam Guard codes with RFC-compliant generation. Add WebAuthn security keys for passwordless authentication to the app itself.
• Open Source & Forever Free No subscriptions, no cloud dependencies, no feature restrictions. All code is available under the AGPL-3.0 license, with a thriving community of security-focused contributors.
• Self-Hosted Control Deploy on your own infrastructure with complete control over your authentication data, backup strategies, and access policies.

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Spotlight on Key Features

1. Comprehensive 2FA Management

• Support for TOTP, HOTP, and Steam Guard authentication codes • QR code scanning and decoding for instant account setup • Advanced manual entry form for custom configurations • Account editing capabilities, even for imported entries

2. Privacy & Data Sovereignty

• All data stored locally on your self-hosted instance • Optional database encryption for enhanced security • No external dependencies or cloud synchronization • Complete control over backup and restore procedures

3. Modern Web Interface

• Responsive design that works on desktop, tablet, and mobile • Group-based organization for easy account management • Search and filtering capabilities for large account collections • Dark and light theme support

4. Advanced Security Architecture

• Single-user application with strong authentication • WebAuthn support for hardware security keys • Auto-logout with configurable inactivity periods • RFC-compliant OTP generation using industry standards

5. Import & Export Flexibility

• Google Authenticator QR code import • Aegis Auth JSON file support (encrypted and plain text) • 2FAS Auth JSON import capabilities • Native 2FAuth JSON export for backups and migrations

2FAuth vs. Closed-Source Alternatives

How does 2FAuth compare to popular 2FA applications? Here's a side-by-side look:

Beyond the Feature Matrix

• No Vendor Lock-In: With 2FAuth, your 2FA codes are always exportable and portable—no proprietary formats or forced cloud dependencies.
• No Service Shutdown Risk: Self-hosted means your 2FA access never depends on a company's business decisions or service availability.
• No Cloud Vulnerabilities: Your authentication secrets never traverse external networks or reside in third-party databases.
• No Device Loss Catastrophe: Unlike mobile-only solutions, 2FAuth provides robust backup and restore options independent of device availability.
• Complete Transparency: Open-source code allows security auditing and community verification of cryptographic implementations.

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Getting Started in Minutes

2FAuth is designed for straightforward deployment with enterprise-grade security:

🐳 Docker Installation (Recommended)

# Docker Compose setup
version: '3'
services:
  2fauth:
    image: 2fauth/2fauth:latest
    container_name: 2fauth
    ports:
      - "8000:8000"
    volumes:
      - 2fauth_data:/2fauth
    environment:
      - APP_NAME=2FAuth
      - DB_CONNECTION=sqlite

# Access at http://localhost:8000

💻 Self-Hosted Installation

# Requirements: PHP 8+, Composer, Web server
git clone https://github.com/Bubka/2FAuth.git
cd 2FAuth
composer install --no-dev -o
cp .env.example .env
php artisan key:generate
php artisan migrate
php artisan serve

🌐 Try the Demo

Experience 2FAuth features at the interactive demo on docs.2fauth.app

📱 Import Your Existing Accounts

Use the built-in import tools to migrate from Google Authenticator, Aegis Auth, 2FAS, or any QR code-based setup.

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Real-World Success Stories

"I migrated from Google Authenticator to 2FAuth after losing my phone and nearly getting locked out of everything. The web interface and proper backup options are game-changers for desktop workflows." — Sarah Chen, Security Engineer

"2FAuth transformed our team's 2FA management. We can now securely share certain service accounts and maintain proper backup procedures without relying on individual phones." — Marcus Rodriguez, IT Director

"The ability to organize 2FA codes by project and client makes managing dozens of accounts actually manageable. Plus, I never have to reach for my phone during desktop work sessions." — Jennifer Kim, DevOps Consultant

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Practical Applications

Personal Security Management

Organize your personal 2FA codes with proper backup strategies, ensuring you never lose access to critical accounts due to device failure or loss.

Team & Enterprise Security

Deploy for teams that need shared access to service accounts while maintaining security best practices and audit trails.

Developer Workflows

Manage 2FA codes for development services, staging environments, and client accounts without constantly switching between devices.

Desktop-Centric Users

Perfect for users who primarily work on desktop computers and prefer not to reach for mobile devices for every authentication.

Security-Conscious Organizations

Self-host to maintain complete control over authentication secrets and ensure compliance with data residency requirements.

Backup & Recovery Planning

Implement robust 2FA backup strategies that don't depend on proprietary cloud services or single points of failure.

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Advanced Security Architecture

2FAuth implements comprehensive security measures that exceed basic authenticator apps:

Authentication & Access Control

• Single-User Design: Personal security focus with strong user authentication
• WebAuthn Integration: Hardware security key support for passwordless access
• Auto-Logout: Configurable inactivity timeouts for session security
• Modern Login: Traditional passwords plus security key options

Data Protection

• Database Encryption: Optional encryption for sensitive 2FA data at rest
• RFC Compliance: Standards-compliant TOTP/HOTP generation
• Secure Storage: Laravel framework security with proper key management
• Backup Security: Encrypted export options for secure data portability

Infrastructure Security

• Self-Hosted Control: Complete control over server security and access
• Network Isolation: No external dependencies for core functionality
• Audit Capabilities: Full logging and monitoring options
• Update Control: Manage security updates on your schedule

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Migration & Import Excellence

2FAuth excels at helping users escape vendor lock-in with comprehensive import support:

Supported Import Sources

• Google Authenticator: QR code export scanning
• Aegis Auth: JSON files (both encrypted and plain text)
• 2FAS Auth: Native JSON export format
• Manual Entry: Advanced form for custom configurations
• QR Code Scanning: Universal QR code recognition

Export & Backup Options

• Native JSON: Full-featured 2FAuth export format
• Encrypted Backups: Secure export with password protection
• Selective Export: Choose specific accounts or groups
• Automated Backups: Integration with standard backup solutions

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Join the 2FAuth Community

With over 2,800 GitHub stars and active development, 2FAuth represents the future of self-hosted authentication management:

• Contribute Code: Help enhance security features and add new import formats via GitHub
• Security Research: Participate in security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Localization: Help translate 2FAuth into more languages via Crowdin
• Feature Requests: Influence development with your authentication workflow needs
• Documentation: Improve installation guides and security best practices

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Enterprise & Compliance Benefits

2FAuth provides compelling advantages for organizations with strict security requirements:

• Data Sovereignty: Complete control over authentication data location and access
• Compliance Ready: Meet regulations requiring on-premises authentication storage
• Audit Trails: Comprehensive logging for security compliance and forensics
• Custom Security: Implement organization-specific security policies and controls
• No Third-Party Risk: Eliminate external dependencies and vendor security risks

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The Future of 2FA Management

2FAuth continues evolving with community-driven security enhancements:

• Enhanced Import Support: Additional authenticator app compatibility
• Advanced Organization: Improved account categorization and management features
• API Integration: Programmatic access for enterprise automation
• Security Hardening: Continuous improvement of cryptographic implementations
• Mobile Optimization: Enhanced mobile web experience and PWA capabilities

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Final Thoughts

Your two-factor authentication codes are the keys to your digital kingdom—don't let them be trapped in closed apps, lost with device failures, or controlled by corporate decisions. 2FAuth represents a new era of authentication management: open, secure, self-hosted, and truly yours. Whether you're a security professional, developer, enterprise organization, or individual who values digital independence, 2FAuth offers a compelling alternative that puts you back in control of your authentication security.

Ready to reclaim your 2FA management? Explore 2fauth.app or dive into the code on GitHub.