How do you set up and share authentication codes using Bitwarden?

6 Jan

At Kimbley IT, we recommend all clients use a business-level password manager such as Bitwarden, which is our go-to business password manager - it is such a good password manager that we are partnered with Bitwarden, allowing us to provide clients with assistance and support with using the service.

While Bitwarden offers a standalone Authenticator app, you don't need to use it, as the functionality is built into the full Bitwarden Password Manager app.

Setting up authentication codes in Bitwarden.

With Bitwarden, you must initially use the mobile app to set up two-step verification codes. You can't set them up through the browser or Chrome extension. So, you will need to install the Bitwarden app on your phone. You can download the app from Google Play and the App Store on iOS.

For these instructions, imagine you are setting up a two-step verification using a code for your LinkedIn account.

Once the app is installed on your phone, log in to your Bitwarden account.

On your computer, you need to go to the two-step verification setup, usually located on the security settings page in the Account section of LinkedIn or whatever other service you are setting up.
- From here, you need LinkedIn to show you a QR code to add to your authenticator.
Back on the Bitwarden app on your phone. If you already have the LinkedIn login details in your vault, navigate to them and tap the edit icon. If you don't have them stored, add them to your Bitwarden.
- When you add a login or edit an existing login, there is an option to "Set up TOTP." When you tap this button, it will ask you to scan the QR code.
- Once you have scanned the QR code in Bitwarden, click Save.

You should now see the authenticator code under the login details you saved for LinkedIn.

You can now access the authenticator code in the Bitwarden mobile app or through the Bitwarden Extension in Chrome, so you can easily cut and paste it in when you need to.

Share the authenticator code with the rest of your team.

Bonus: With the business version of Bitwarden, you can move the login details to a Bitwarden Collection; anyone on the team with access to that collection can also access the authenticator code when needed.