2FA not working with Google Authenticator

[ashraf21c]

Hello, Im here to report that GitHub isnt fully compatible with Google Authenticator. It works at setup, but next times (later logins) generated code is declined.

Update: Just for confirmation, I tried antoher app "2FAS Auth", and it works with Github for setup and for logins. So, it`s the compatibility problem between GitHub and Google Authenticator.

[ghostinhershell]

Hey there @ashraf21c,

Thanks so much for reaching out in our community and sorry to hear you're having some trouble with your authenticator app. Could you check if your phone is set to sync time with an NTP server? We've seen similar trouble when the clock on your phone is out of sync with the clocks on our server.

For iOS, the time setting is under Settings > General > Date & Time. Select "Set Automatically" here to cause your phone's clock to sync with Apple's NTP server.

If you're using a Google Authenticator on an Android phone, there are some settings within the app you can use: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185834?hl=en#sync.

[ashraf21c]

Thank you very much for the detailed reply.
I did as instructed, it returned a prompt saying that no time syncing in needed because the time is correct.
This is Google Authenticator for Android.

Update: Github isn't the only site that fails with Google Authenticator. The problem persists with Instagram, Facebook, etc...
However, "2FAS Auth" works perfectly.

Seems that it's Google Authenticator''s side.
Does anyone here use Google Authenticator with no problems?

[PocketRockets93]

thank you so much i can regain my acc again

[thynson]

It seems not compatitable to Microsoft Authenticator, too.

I posted my experience with it here: https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/77833#discussioncomment-8099071

Same issue for me. I'm using Microsoft Authenticator
I highly doubt that there are bugs on Github 2FA, at least when using with Microsoft Authenticator. When I tried to set up 2FA, it failed for multiple times to verify my code, which I double-checked that they were correct. Then it occasionally succeeded in verifying my code for once, making my account 2FA “protected”, then, it started to block me from signing in.

[thynson]

I've also checked the clock on both my phone and computer, it just fails to verify my code most of the time but succeeds occasionally.

[ccbogel]

I have this problem also when using Microsoft Authenticator and GitHub. Using Samsing Galaxy in Australia with automatic date and time provided by the network. And it always fails to authenticate. Not sure what alternative I enact to make it work.

[geotekberlin]

Same issue here: Registering Google Authenticator App on Android 15 and 16 via QR-Code is always successful but the generated codes never work. Passcodes generated with KeePassOTP always work. I use Google Authenticator for access to 20+ Services that work perfectly, with GitHub being the only exception.

[miyagisky09]

Same issue here: Registering Google Authenticator App on Android 15 and 16 via QR-Code is always successful but the generated codes never work. Passcodes generated with KeePassOTP always work. I use Google Authenticator for access to 20+ Services that work perfectly, with GitHub being the only exception.

Did you try that "Sync Clock with Google" in Google Authenticator settings?

Please refer to the attached image.
It works for me

[geotekberlin]

In my German Google Authenticator Android App I don't have any of those settings.

[miyagisky09]

https://www.moorr.com.au/ga-time-correction-for-codes/

Can you check this?

[geotekberlin]

My Google Authenticator looks completely different. It has a hamburger menu with settings on the left instead of the three dots on the right but nowhere is a timesync setting. Could it be that you are referring to an older Version? Mine is V.7.0 last updated on Jan. 29th 2025 from Google Play Store.

[miyagisky09]

You can see the Private screen in settings.
Please disable (or enable) and try it.

[geotekberlin]

Disabling the private settings doesn't change a thing, even after forcefully closing and starting the app. Unfortunately, Android blocks the screenshot function for this app, so I can't post any screenshots.

[shinybrightstar]

Hey @geotekberlin,

Check out the GitHub 2FA Troubleshooting & Prevention Guide 🔐 to see if it addresses your issues.

[geotekberlin]

This Guide doesn't provide any meaningful help. If Google Authenticator works without any tweaks for all services except GitHub, it seems to me that there is a general problem with Google Authenticator and GitHub. As 2FA works well with KeePass OT we will stick with that and won't use Google Authenticator for GitHub authenticationin the future. Thank you for your help.

[sadistic2keed]

That's frustrating! Since Google Authenticator works during setup but fails later, it's likely a time sync issue—try going to the app's settings and selecting "Time correction" to resync. If that doesn't help, use a backup code to log in and re-enable 2FA, or just stick with 2FAS Auth since it's working for you. For alternatives, Authy or Microsoft Authenticator are good options too. If the problem persists, GitHub Support can investigate—there might be a rare glitch on their end. Hope this gets sorted soon!

[Ibrahim-Lmlilas]

Google Authenticator relies on your phone’s internal clock. If the time is even slightly off, the codes won’t match.

On Android:
Go to Settings > System > Date & time
→ Enable "Use network-provided time" and "Use network-provided time zone".

On iPhone:
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time
→ Enable "Set Automatically".

Then restart the Google Authenticator app and try again.