What is multifactor authentication?
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a security feature that protects your Pokémon Trainer Club account. Multifactor authentication is a layered approach to securing data and applications where a system requires a user to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify a user’s identity for log-in. Multifactor authentication increases security because even if one credential becomes compromised, unauthorized users will be unable to meet the second authentication requirement and will not be able to access the targeted user account.
What will happen once I enable multifactor authentication?
Once multifactor authentication has been enabled on a Pokémon Trainer Club account, the user will enter their username and password and then the passcode from their chosen authenticator app each time that account is used to log in to Pokémon Trainer Club.
If you enable multifactor authentication and use your Pokémon Trainer Club account to log in to apps such as Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, or Pokémon TCG Live, you will be prompted to use multifactor authentication.
Which Pokémon Trainer Club accounts are eligible to enable multifactor authentication? Can I enable MFA on a child account?
Multifactor authentication is available for all Pokémon Trainer Club accounts, including child Pokémon Trainer Club accounts.
How does multifactor authentication work with a child account?
Once multifactor authentication has been enabled on a child Pokémon Trainer Club account, the child will enter their username and password and then the passcode from the chosen authenticator app each time that account is used to log in to Pokémon Trainer Club. The authenticator app may be the child’s own authenticator app, or it may be the same as the parent’s. Keep in mind that the multifactor authentication passcode must be entered before it expires and a new code is generated.
Am I required to use multifactor authentication to log in to my Pokémon Trainer Club account?
Multifactor authentication is not required. At this time, we are offering multifactor authentication as an option that users may choose to enable on their Pokémon Trainer Club account.
How do I enable multifactor authentication on my Pokémon Trainer Club account?
Please follow the instructions below to enable multifactor authentication on your Pokémon Trainer Club account.
- Navigate to trainer.pokemon.com. You will be prompted to log in to your Pokémon Trainer Club account.
- After entering your credentials and logging in, navigate to your Profile and then to “Multi-Factor Authentication.”
- Select “Turn On” and you will be prompted to install an authenticator app or use an existing authenticator app. The same screen will display a QR code and a manual code.
- Open your authenticator app and select the option to add a new account. You may use the QR code or the manual code to do so.
- Enter the confirmation code you received through the authenticator app in the “Step 2” text box on the Pokémon Trainer Club account screen and select “Continue.”
- Once multifactor authentication is enabled, a pop-up will display on your Pokémon Trainer Club account indicating setup was successful.
Which authenticator app can I use? Which multifactor authentication options are available for Pokémon Trainer Club accounts?
Pokémon Trainer Club supports multifactor authentication based on time-based one-time passwords (TOTP). Users may select from various authenticator apps that support these passwords.
You may download an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
What should I do if I lost access to my multifactor authentication app?
If you lose access to your authenticator app or are otherwise unable to access multifactor authentication, please contact Customer Support. To maintain account security and privacy, you will be asked to verify account ownership, and then we will remove the multifactor authentication connection. After, you may re-enable multifactor authentication again if you wish.
How does multifactor authentication affect logging in to my Pokémon Trainer Club account through apps?
Once multifactor authentication has been enabled on a Pokémon Trainer Club account, each time that account is used to log in to an app such as Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, or Pokémon TCG Live, the user will enter their username, password, and then the passcode from their chosen authenticator app.
If a user has not enabled multifactor authentication, nothing changes, and only the username and password will be required for log-in.
How will the log-in process change with multifactor authentication for apps that remember my log-in credentials and sign me in automatically?
It will no longer be possible to sign in to your Pokémon Trainer Club account automatically as you will be required to enter the multifactor authentication passcode each time you log in. Once multifactor authentication has been enabled in a Pokémon Trainer Club account, the user will enter their username, password, and the passcode from their chosen authenticator app each time that account is used to log in to an app.
If you are still logged in to an app from a previous session, you will be logged in automatically.
Do I need to turn off my pop-up blocker in order to use multifactor authentication to log in to my Pokémon Trainer Club account?
It is not necessary to disable your pop-up blocker in order to use multifactor authentication to log in to your Pokémon Trainer Club account.
What if I cannot scan the QR code during the authenticator app setup?
If your device is unable to scan the QR code while setting up multifactor authentication with an authenticator app, you can input the manual code from the Pokémon Trainer Club account screen into the authenticator app instead.
What should I do if I no longer wish to use multifactor authentication to log in to my Pokémon Trainer Club account?
If you no longer wish to use multifactor authentication to log in to your Pokémon Trainer Club account, please log in to your account at trainer.pokemon.com, navigate to your Profile and then to “Multi-Factor Authentication.” From there, you will be asked to enter the passcode from your authenticator app, then select “Turn Off.” Once this is complete, multifactor authentication will be turned off for your Pokémon Trainer Club account.
Notes
- You must have access to your authenticator app in order to disable multifactor authentication. If you don’t have access, please contact Customer Support.
- Only the parent account can disable multifactor authentication for a child account.