2FA - The number you entered did not match

[Starli0n]

Hi,

I cannot connect to my GitHub account anymore.

I am using GitHub Mobile App as 2FA but I have always the following message after entering the two digits:

The number you entered did not match

Please help!

[imDarshanGK]

Hi @Starli0n,

Ensure your device's time is correct by enabling "Set Automatically" in the time settings. Then, try entering the new 2FA code quickly.

If that doesn't work, try using your backup codes or recovery options.

[Starli0n]

I do not find this option in the GitHub iOS app.

Plus I am not sure to have setup recovery option.

I do not what to do...

Security is supposed to protect the user not to prevent him from working...

[DNin01]

Where are you typing the two-digit code into? Your web browser or your GitHub Mobile app?

[Starli0n]

I am getting the two digit from iOS GitHub mobile App and typing it into the web browser while trying to connect to my GitHub account.

[DNin01]

I believe you're getting the two-digit code from the GitHub Mobile login screen. This means you aren't logged into GitHub Mobile. You have to be logged into the app in order to use GitHub Mobile for authentication.

But do you remember setting up an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy, or receiving codes in text messages? You might be able to enter a six-digit code from one of those. That's also probably what the website login screen is asking for.

[Starli0n]

I confirmed that I am logged into the iOS GitHub App.

I can see my account, my repositories, my starred, my organization.

If I were not logged in, the confirmation of authentication would not popup while trying to connect from the web browser.

I remember only to have setup the GitHub Mobile for the MFA.

I do not remember having recovery code.

[DNin01]

If you are logged into the GitHub Mobile app, you should be able to use it to authenticate. To do so, try to sign in on a web browser and when you get to the 2FA screen, click the "Use GitHub Mobile" link.

After doing that, you'll get a notification from GitHub Mobile asking you to approve logging in. If you don't get a notification, make sure you have allowed the GitHub Mobile app to send you notifications (Settings app → Notifications → GitHub → Allow Notifications), and sign into the same GitHub account you're logging into.

---

I remember only to have setup the GitHub Mobile for the MFA. I do not remember having recovery code.

If you don't remember saving an authenticator app or recovery codes, you can save new ones in Password and authentication settings, once you're logged in, so you can use them if you're having trouble authenticating.

[Reekin]

I have the same problem.
I've logged into the iOS app, and can instantly see the validation window after I apply in website. But the app always says the number not match.

[wmjjmwwmj]

+1
btw, try to use authenticator, and it works.

[Myles922]

I tried and it say invalid it's the right on

[PRIYAtechky]

It seems your GitHub Mobile App codes are out of sync.
Try the following steps:

1. Resync time on your mobile device (ensure automatic date & time is enabled).
2. Use your 2FA recovery codes (if you saved them).
3. If still unable to log in, contact GitHub Support with your account details for recovery.

[sayandip007]

Steps to Fix the “The number you entered did not match” Error

1. Check Phone’s Date/Time Sync

   • Go to your phone’s date/time settings.
   • Make sure “Set automatically” or “Use network-provided time” is turned ON.
   • Restart your phone and try again. (Out-of-sync clocks cause invalid codes.)

2. Try Another Login Method

   • If you had SMS or another 2FA method enabled, try that instead.
   • Also, check if you still have recovery codes saved when you first set up 2FA.

3. Use a Trusted Device / Browser

   • If you previously logged in on your PC or another browser and didn’t log out, you may still have access.
   • From there, you can go to Settings → Password and Authentication → Two-Factor Authentication and reset it.

4. If Nothing Works → Contact GitHub Support

   • Since you can’t get in, you’ll need GitHub to reset 2FA.
   • Open this link: 👉 [GitHub Support – 2FA Recovery](https://support.github.com/contact?tags=rr-2fa)
   • Select “I lost my 2FA credentials” and describe your case.

   Here’s a draft message you can copy-paste :

   ---

   Subject: Unable to log in – 2FA not working

   Hi GitHub Support,

   I cannot access my GitHub account because my two-factor authentication (GitHub Mobile App) codes are not working. I keep receiving the error “The number you entered did not match.”

   I do not have access to valid recovery codes, and I am unable to log in. Please help me with recovering my account and resetting 2FA so I can regain access.

   I still have access to my account’s email: [your email here].
   My GitHub username is: [your username here].

   Thank you for your help!

[Nishant-0203]

Hi @Starli0n 👋

That error usually happens because GitHub Mobile works differently from authenticator apps:

GitHub Mobile is not a code generator – it doesn’t give you a 6-digit number to type. Instead, when you log in on the web and choose “Use GitHub Mobile”, you’ll get a push notification in the app asking you to approve or deny the login. No manual typing is needed.

If you’re still being asked for a 6-digit code – that means the login is expecting a TOTP authenticator (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password, etc.) or a recovery code, not GitHub Mobile.

✅ Try this:

On the 2FA screen in your browser, click “Use GitHub Mobile” instead of entering numbers.

Make sure notifications are allowed for GitHub Mobile on iOS (Settings → Notifications → GitHub → Allow).

Approve the login from the push notification.

If you only set up GitHub Mobile and not an authenticator app or recovery codes, and you still can’t get past the login, you’ll need to contact GitHub Support for a reset:
👉 GitHub 2FA Recovery Form

Once you regain access, I recommend enabling both GitHub Mobile and an authenticator app, plus saving recovery codes, so you always have a backup.

[JustinBis]

This happens to me to every single time I try to use the GH app on iOS to sign in to my account. Related Reddit post with the same issue: https://www.reddit.com/r/github/comments/1f9elfj/error_twofactor_authentication/

This is clearly broken and not user error. My flow:

• Trying to log in to GH website on Chrome on a MacBook Pro
• Username and password entered and accepted on the website
• iOS device gets a notification prompting me to allow sign in.
• If I respond to the prompt, I get a numbers didn't match error.

In the past, this notification / popup / prompt on iOS asked me for a number (and never worked), and now it just has two buttons for allow or reject, but it also fails with the same "number didn't match" error.

Using an authenticator app or hardware key works fine. It's just the GitHub app that is broken. Which is sad because it's the default method.

[danielwangksu]

This is still an issue for me. No way to resolve it. Sending OTP to email works

[bartgolsteijn]

Try signing out of the app and sign in again. For me this resolved the issue.

[Yxot]

This error usually happens because of a common misunderstanding about how the GitHub Mobile app works for 2FA.

GitHub Mobile is not a code generator: Unlike Google Authenticator, the GitHub Mobile app does not give you a 6-digit code to type in. Instead, when you log in on the web, you should select the "Use GitHub Mobile" option on the 2FA screen. This sends a push notification to your phone for you to approve or deny—no typing required .

If you are being asked for a 2-digit code: When you use GitHub Mobile for authentication, the web page will display a two-digit number. You must enter this number into the GitHub Mobile app (not the other way around) to verify it is really you .

Check Time Sync: If you were previously using a TOTP app and switched, ensure your phone's time is set to "Set Automatically." If the clock is off, the codes will not match , .

[Hadeelghanm]

Hi,

I cannot connect to my GitHub account anymore.

I am using GitHub Mobile App as 2FA but I have always the following message after entering the two digits:

The number you entered did not match

Please help!