Add a Yandex account to Yandex Key

Attention. 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 log in to Yandex services easily with a one-time password, install the Yandex Key app on your Android or iOS mobile device. Your device must support methods of protection against unauthorized access, such as PIN or biometrics.

After enabling this login method:

All Yandex apps, programs, and services will ask for one-time passwords.
For third-party mobile apps, computer programs, and mail importers, you must use individual app passwords.
The access restoration process will change.

You can use apps other than Yandex Key to generate a one-time password. Install any two-factor authentication app that supports the TOTP RFC algorithm.

Note. To transfer your account to another smartphone or tablet, follow the instructions in the Transferring Yandex Key Accounts section.

How to add a Yandex account

Install and open the Yandex Key app.

Check the app version: your actions for adding an account to Yandex Key may differ depending on it. In the upper-left corner of the app, tap and chooseAbout this app.

If you use Yandex Key version 3.0–3.2.1, update the app or follow the instructions below.

I use a Yandex Key version earlier than 3.0 or 3.2.2 and later

Change the login method in your Yandex ID personal account:

Logging in with a one-time passwordLogging in with a password + one-time password

Log in to the account for which you want to set up logging in using Yandex Key.
On the Security tab in the Login method section, click Current method and choose Yandex Key.
At the bottom of the screen, click Set up Yandex Key.

If you haven't installed Yandex Key on your device yet, tap Download Yandex Key and install the app.
Set up logging in using a one-time password.
1. 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.
2. Create a PIN code.
  
  Come up with a PIN code from 4 to 16 digits long and enter it twice. Be sure to remember it.
  
  Attention. Only you know your PIN code and it cannot be changed. If you forget your PIN code, Yandex Key won't be able to generate a correct one-time password, and access to your account can only be restored by contacting support.
  
  Click Save to confirm your PIN code.
3. Add the account to Yandex Key.
  
  Open the Yandex Key app on your device.
  
  In Yandex Key, 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 link in the browser and tap or add it manually in the app. Instead of the QR code, the browser will display a sequence of characters. Enter it in the app.
  
  When it recognizes your account, the app will request the PIN code you created in the previous step.
4. Complete setup.
  
  In the Yandex Key app, enter the PIN code created in step 3.2. The app 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.
  
  If you entered the one-time password correctly but the login method didn't change, that means you may have entered an invalid PIN code. In that case, one-time passwords are generated, but you can't log in with them. Try entering the PIN code again.

Log in to the account for which you want to set up logging in using Yandex Key.
On the Security tab, go to Login method, click Current method, and choose Password + one-time password.
At the bottom of the screen, click Set up Yandex Key.

If you haven't installed Yandex Key on your device yet, tap Download Yandex Key and install the app.
Set up logging in with a password + one-time password.
1. 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.
2. Add the account to Yandex Key.
  
  Open the Yandex Key app on your device.
  
  In Yandex Key, 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 link in the browser and tap or add it manually in the app. Instead of the QR code, the browser will display a sequence of characters. Enter it in the app.
3. Complete setup.
  
  The app 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.

I use Yandex Key version 3.0–3.2.1

Restriction. Yandex Key version 3.0–3.2.1 doesn't support the Password + one-time password login method.

If you have Yandex Key version 3.0–3.2.1 installed, follow these steps directly in the app:

Click the Add an account button.
Enter your Yandex username and password and confirm the phone number linked to it.
Once you enter the correct SMS code, your account is added to the app and you can start using Yandex Key to log in.

The same Yandex Key can be used for multiple accounts that use one-time passwords. To add another account to the app, open Yandex Key and click . When adding an account to Yandex Key version 3.0-3.2.1, logging in with a one-time password is enabled automatically.

Deleting an account doesn't automatically disable logging in with a one-time password. To disable this login method, first switch back to your standard password in Yandex ID. For more information, see Disable logging in using a one-time password login.

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.