Add a Yandex account to Yandex Key
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This page covers the process of adding a Yandex account in the Yandex Key app. If you want to generate a verification code for a non-Yandex account, see instructions for third-party services.
To use one-time passwords for easy login to Yandex services, install Yandex Key on your Android or iOS device. Your device must support methods of protection against unauthorized access, such as PIN or biometrics.
After enabling this login method:
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All Yandex apps, programs, and services will ask for one-time passwords.
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For third-party apps and email importers, you'll need to set up app passwords.
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The access restoration process will change.
To generate one-time passwords, you can use Yandex Key or any other two-factor authentication app that supports the TOTP RFC algorithm.
How to add a Yandex account
- Install and open Yandex Key.
- Go to the Security tab in your Yandex ID account. Make sure that you are signed in to the account for which you want to set up login with Yandex Key.
- Under Login method, click Current method and select one of these two options:
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At the bottom of the screen, click Start setting up.
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Confirm your phone number. If you already linked your phone number to your account, the browser will display this number and ask if you want to confirm it or change it.
If your current phone number isn't linked to your account, link it to be able to restore access to your account manually.
At this step, request an SMS with the code and enter it in the form.
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Create a PIN. Come up with a PIN from 4 to 16 digits long and enter it twice. Be sure to remember it.
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Only you know your PIN. The PIN can't be changed. If you forget your PIN, Yandex Key won't be able to generate a valid one-time password.
Click Save to confirm your PIN.
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In the app, tap Add account. Yandex Key will turn on your camera to scan the QR code displayed in the browser. If Yandex Key requests access to the camera, allow it. This is necessary to recognize QR codes when adding accounts or when you log in using the QR code.
If your camera can't read the QR code, go to the Manually tab in the browser and tap Add manually in the app. Instead of the QR code, a sequence of characters will appear. Enter it in the app.
When it recognizes your account, Yandex Key will prompt you to enter the PIN you created in the previous step.
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Complete the setup. Enter the PIN. Yandex Key will display your one-time password. Enter it in your Yandex ID account to complete the setup. If you entered the data correctly, logging in with a one-time password will be enabled. Your account will open.
A one-time password is only valid for 30 seconds. You need to enter it while it's shown in the app. If there isn't much time left, simply wait for the password to refresh.
If you entered the one-time password correctly, but the login method didn't change, that means you may have entered an invalid PIN. In that case, one-time passwords are generated, but you can't log in with them. Try entering the PIN again.
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At the bottom of the screen, click Start setting up.
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Confirm your phone number. If you already linked your phone number to your account, the browser will display this number and ask if you want to confirm it or change it.
If your current phone number isn't linked to your account, link it to be able to restore access to your account manually.
At this step, request an SMS with the code and enter it in the form.
-
Create a PIN. Come up with a PIN from 4 to 16 digits long and enter it twice. Be sure to remember it.
-
In the app, tap Add account. Yandex Key will turn on your camera to scan the QR code displayed in the browser. If Yandex Key requests access to the camera, allow it. This is necessary to recognize QR codes when adding accounts or when you log in using the QR code.
If your camera couldn't read the QR code, go to the Manually tab in the browser and tap Add manually in the app. Instead of the QR code, a sequence of characters will appear. Enter it in the app.
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Complete the setup. Yandex Key will display your one-time password. Enter it in your Yandex ID account to complete the setup. If you entered the data correctly, logging in with a one-time password will be enabled. Your account will open.
A one-time password is valid for 30 seconds. You need to enter it while it's still displayed in the app. If there isn't much time left, simply wait for the password to refresh.
Note
You can use any two-factor authentication app other than Yandex Key to generate one-time passwords, as long as it supports the TOTP RFC algorithm.
If you use Yandex Key version 3.0–3.2.1, update the app or follow these instructions.
How to find your app version
In the upper-left corner of the app, tap 
and choose About this app.
How to add a non-Yandex account
If you want to generate a verification code for a non-Yandex account, see instructions for third-party services.
Login with one-time passwords is already set up
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If you've already selected one-time passwords as your login method, you won't be able to add an account to Yandex Key using the instructions on this page.
Select the Help section you need:
- To transfer an account added in Yandex Key to another smartphone or tablet, follow the instructions in Transferring Yandex Key accounts.
- If you want to switch devices, uninstall the app, or remove an account from Yandex Key, you'll need to restore your accounts from a backup copy (if you created one) or restore a regular password as your login method and then add your account to Yandex Key again.
- To restore the login method for a non-Yandex service, go to its security settings. If these instructions didn't help, contact the service's support.