Short answer
Add your setup key to the macOS Passwords app for autofill in Safari, use a desktop authenticator if you need codes in other browsers, or keep them in the notch so they’re one hover away in any app.
1. Use Apple Passwords
macOS can generate verification codes itself. When a site shows a QR code during 2FA setup, open the Passwords app, select the account and choose Set Up Verification Code. Safari can then fill in the codes for you.
- Built in and free
- Autofill works best in Safari
- Less handy for codes in terminals, desktop apps or other browsers
2. Use a desktop authenticator app
Menu bar authenticators show your codes in a dropdown. They work anywhere, but you still have to open the menu, find the account and copy the code.
3. Keep codes in the notch
With ONotch, your codes live in the space next to the camera. Hover, unlock with Touch ID, click a code and paste it. You can bring your accounts over from Google Authenticator’s export QR codes or from an Aegis or 2FAS backup. Try it:
Is it secure?
Keeping codes on the same Mac as your passwords trades some security for convenience: the “second factor” is no longer a second device. For your most important accounts, such as email and banking, keep a phone or a hardware security key as a backup factor.
ONotch keeps setup keys in your Mac’s Keychain, behind Touch ID or your login password. They aren’t synced to iCloud, and ONotch never sends them anywhere. A copied code is marked as concealed, so clipboard managers that respect that skip it; it stays off Universal Clipboard and is cleared from the clipboard after a minute.
FAQ
Can my Mac generate 2FA codes?
Yes. The Passwords app in macOS can store a setup key and generate verification codes, and desktop authenticator apps can do the same.
Can I move codes from Google Authenticator?
Yes. Use Google Authenticator’s export QR codes and scan them on your Mac with the app you choose. ONotch reads them with the Mac’s camera, from the screen or from an image, and also imports Aegis and 2FAS backups.
Is it safe to keep 2FA codes on the same Mac as my passwords?
It is more convenient, but it removes the second device. For your most important accounts, keep a phone or a hardware security key as a backup factor.