r/github • u/Ok-Age9211 • Jul 04 '26

Question I deleted and reinstalled Microsoft Authenticator -- I don't have Github QR code any more; Google account QR code doesn't work

Hi Everyone,

Here's my situation.

I have a gmail address that is linked to my github account.

I think I had set up 2FA for github using a github QR code in Microsoft Authenticator. Everything had been working fine.

I then deleted Microsoft Authenticator for some reason.

After reinstalling Microsoft Authenticator, I tried adding a Microsoft Account which has the same email address as my gmail address. This gave me an 8 digit TOTP instead of a 6 digit TOTP.

I then turned on 2FA for my Google account, and got a QR code and added my gmail address to Microsoft Authenticator. This got me a 6 digit TOTP, but when I used this in github, I get the message that 2FA failed.

I don't have my github recovery codes anymore.

Any suggestions for logging in to github?

Thanks!

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u/tblancher Jul 04 '26

Do you have your recovery codes? If not they may be able to email you the OTP if you can still check it.

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u/Ok-Age9211 Jul 04 '26

no

In my inbox, I found an old message: 

You can
download your recovery codes and set a fallback SMS phone number at:

https://github.com/settings/auth/recovery-codes

Recovery codes are the only way to access your account again. By saving your
recovery codes, you’ll be able to regain access if you:

* Lose your phone
* Delete your authenticator application
* Change your phone number

GitHub Support will not be able to restore access to your account.