Can Yahoo! Mail accounts use a 2FA code generator authenticator app?

Question

I would like to set up 2-factor authentication for an old Yahoo! account and @yahoo.com email address.

Specifically the "code generator"-type Time-based One-Time Password (TOTP) based on RFC 6238 implemented by client apps such as Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password, etc.

Yahoo! account settings seem to only mention "Phone Number" for SMS texts or a hardware "Security Key".

Can Yahoo! accounts use code generators for 2FA/MFA authentication?

Answer 1

You can use an authenticator app now, but if you've already set up "2-step verification" with a phone number, you will need to disable it and set it up again. The instructions for setting up an authenticator app can be found here: https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN5013.html

Here are the current steps described in the knowledge base article linked above:

Note: You may not see this option as it isn't fully available yet.

1. Sign in to your Account Security page.
2. Next to "2-Step Verification," click Turn on 2SV.
3. Click Get started.
4. Select Authenticator app for your 2-step verification method.
5. Click Continue.
6. Scan the QR code using your authenticator app.
7. Click Continue.
8. Enter the code shown in your authenticator app.
9. Click Done.