---
title: "What is two-factor authentication and how does it work?"
description: "How the code sent by email at each login works, and who can enable or require it."
url: https://help.sarbacane.com/en/articles/64-what-is-two-factor-authentication-and-how-does-it-work
collection: "Login and security"
updated: 2026-10-28
language: en
alternates: [fr, es]
---

# What is two-factor authentication and how does it work?

How the code sent by email at each login works, and who can enable or require it.

Two-factor authentication adds a security code to each login to your Sarbacane account: after your password, you enter a code received by email. Even if someone knows your password, they cannot log in without access to your mailbox.

-   It is not enabled by default.
    
-   Each user can enable it for their own access.
    
-   The owner or an administrator can require it for all users. Users can then no longer disable it.
    

## Prerequisites

-   Have access to the mailbox linked to your Sarbacane account.
    

## Steps

What happens at each login:

1.  On [account.sarbacane.com](https://account.sarbacane.com/apps), enter your email address and password, then click **Log in**.
    
2.  A screen asks you for a code.
    

![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/helpcenter/683050d8834924b5aeaea8b7/20260325205236_0146.png)

3.  In your inbox, open the Sarbacane email that contains the code.
    
4.  Enter this code on the login screen, then click **Confirm**.
    

## Expected result

You access your account as usual. The code will be requested again at each new login.

## Troubleshooting

### I don't receive the code

Check your spam folder, then check that the address you entered is the one linked to your account.

### I can't disable two-factor authentication

An administrator requires it for all users of the account. Only they can lift this requirement.

### Two-factor authentication is no longer active on my access

An administrator turned off the requirement, which also disables it for each user. To keep it, enable it again yourself.

## Related articles

-   [I am a user. How do I enable or disable two-factor authentication?](https://help.sarbacane.com/en/articles/62.md)
    
-   [I am an administrator. How do I enable or disable two-factor authentication?](https://help.sarbacane.com/en/articles/61.md)
    
-   [How do you log in to your Sarbacane account?](https://help.sarbacane.com/en/articles/130.md)