Etsy works hard to keep your account and the marketplace safe, but there are proactive steps you can take as well. Make your account more secure by setting a strong password, using 2 factor authentication, monitoring sign-in notifications, and more.
Etsy Support will never ask you to share account or personal information via Messages, email, or social media. Learn more about protecting yourself from phishing scams and reporting suspicious messages to Etsy.
How to create a secure password
To help you create a secure password, here are some password best practices:
Do use
- At least 8 characters, but the longer the better
- A mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols
Don't use
- Your username
- A previous password or password used on another site
- Consecutive keyboard combinations such as "qwerty" or "asdfg"
- A complete dictionary word or obvious combinations of dictionary words
- Slang terms, common misspellings, or words spelled backward
- Names such as your company name or names of spouses, kids, other relatives, or pets
- Personal information such as your age or birth date
Learn how to change your password.
Change your password every 6 months to help make your account more secure. A password manager may be helpful for keeping track of your password.
How to set up 2 factor authentication
2 factor authentication is required when you open a new shop on Etsy. It’s optional, but strongly recommended, for existing sellers as well as buyers. With 2 factor authentication, you’re required to enter your password and a verification code when:
- you sign in using a different browser or on a new device; and
- every 30 days.
The temporary verification code is sent to you through either an authenticator app, or a call or text to your phone. You can use the same phone number or authenticator app for verifying multiple accounts that you own.
2 factor authentication provides extra defense against your account being hacked. If a hacker or unwanted user correctly enters your password, they will only be able to access your account if they enter the verification code.
To set up 2 factor authentication on Etsy.com:
- On Etsy.com, select your profile icon and choose Account settings.
- Go to Security.
- Under 2 factor authentication, choose Turn on 2FA.
- Choose which option you want to use for 2FA: SMS, Phone, or Authenticator App.
- Select Continue.
- Follow the instructions on screen to confirm the 2FA verification.
- You'll be given backup codes. Choose to either Save to your device or Copy codes.
- Select Complete.
Once you enable 2FA using SMS or phone, your number will appear in the Your mobile phone number section in a masked format. You can update your phone number at any time by verifying your existing number.
To set up-two factor authentication for the Etsy Seller app:
- On the Etsy Seller app, go to the More tab.
- Under Account & app settings, select 2 Factor authentication
- Choose which option you want to use for 2FA: SMS, Phone, or Authenticator App.
- Select Continue.
- Follow the instructions on screen to confirm the 2FA verification.
- You'll be given backup codes. Choose to either Save to your device or Copy codes.
- Select Complete.
Once you enable 2FA using SMS or phone, your number will appear in the Your mobile phone number section in a masked format. You can update your phone number at any time by verifying your existing number.
What are backup codes?
With 2 factor authentication, you can download backup codes to use when you don't have your phone to sign in. Save these codes in a safe place. You can only use each code once.
Can I turn off 2 factor authentication?
You can turn 2 factor authentication off and on again at any time after onboarding.
To turn off 2 factor authentication:
- On Etsy.com, select your profile icon and choose Account settings.
- Go to Security.
- Select Edit on the 2 factor authentication (2FA) and select Turn 2FA off.
- Select Continue.
- Input the code you were sent, then select Turn 2FA off.
Is call or text verification available in my country?
Depending on your country, receiving a verification code to your phone may not be available. If your country is not listed below, you will likely need to set up 2 factor authentication using an authenticator app.
Countries that can receive a verification code through call or text:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Germany
- Greece
- France
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Netherlands Antilles
- New Zealand
- Phillippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Türkiye
- United Kingdom
- Ukraine
- United States
What is an authenticator app?
An authenticator app is an app for Apple or Android devices that generates a verification code.
This option is more secure, as it is less susceptible to cyber attacks, interception, or hackings.
To set up an authenticator app when opening a new shop on Etsy.com:
- While opening your shop, on the Your Security step, choose Authenticator App from the dropdown menu.
- Download any authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store
- Choose Continue.
- A QR code will appear on Etsy. Open the authenticator app and scan the QR code.
- On Etsy, enter the verification code from the authenticator app.
- Choose Continue.
- Save your download codes to a safe place.
- Choose Open your shop to make your shop publicly visible!
To set up an authenticator app in your Security settings:
- Download any authenticator app, such as Google Authenticator, from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
- On Etsy.com, in your Account settings, go to Security.
- Under 2 factor authentication (2FA), choose Turn 2FA on.
- Choose Authenticator App from the dropdown menu.
- Select Continue.
- Download an authenticator app from Google play or the Apple App Store.
- Select Continue.
- Open your Authenticator App and follow the instructions in the app to add a new account.
- Scan the QR code using your authenticator app.
- Enter the code from your authenticator app into the text box under the QR code.
- Choose Confirm.
- Save the backup codes provided in a safe place. You can use these if you ever lose your phone.
- Select Complete.
- When you sign in to your account, you may be prompted for your confirmation code. Open your authenticator app to locate the code.
How to view your sign-in history
Your sign-in history shows you when and where you sign in to your Etsy account. You'll see your sign in history for up to 10 of your most recent sign-ins.
To see your sign-in history:
- On Etsy.com, select your profile icon and choose Your account.
- Select the Security tab.
- The Review your sign-in history section has information on your recent sign-in activity.
If you signed in to Etsy on a public computer and forgot to sign out, you can select Sign out to remove your active session from that device.
How to protect your account with security SMS alerts
You can enable security alerts that notify you when suspicious activity is detected in your account. An SMS is then sent to your phone so you can take immediate action to protect your account.
How to set up security SMS alerts:
- On Etsy.com, select your profile icon and choose Account settings.
- Go to Security.
- If there is no number listed under Your mobile number, verify your mobile number by selecting your country code and entering your mobile number. (Landline numbers are not accepted.)
- Select Send verification code.
- Enter the 6-digit code sent to the mobile number you provided.
- Once verified, the last four digits of your mobile number will appear in the Your mobile number section in a masked format.
- After verifying your number, choose Turn on alerts.
- Toggle the switch for Turn on security alerts.
How do I change my verified mobile number?
To change your verified mobile number:
- On Etsy.com, select your profile icon and choose Account settings.
- Go to Security.
- Under Your mobile number, choose Edit.
- Confirm the number that you previously verified for your account.
- Choose Continue.
- Once you confirm your previous number, verify the new mobile number by selecting your country code and entering your mobile number (Landline numbers are not accepted).
- Choose Send verification code.
- Enter the 6-digit code sent to the mobile number you provided.
- Once verified, the last four digits of your mobile number will appear in the Your mobile number section in a masked format.
Your verified mobile number must match the number used for two-factor authentication (2FA). If you’ve enabled 2FA via SMS or phone, updating your verified mobile number will also update your 2FA number automatically.
Once your mobile number is verified, you can select the SMS or phone method for 2FA without needing to complete a separate verification.
How do I turn off security SMS alerts?
You can turn off security SMS alerts at any time. However, it’s strongly recommended to keep them on for added protection. With alerts enabled, you’ll receive real-time SMS notifications if any suspicious activity is detected on your account.
To turn off security SMS notifications:
1. On Etsy.com, in your Account settings, go to Notifications.
2. Toggle off the switch for Turn on security alerts.
3. You can turn security alerts back on at any time by toggling the switch back on.
More account security measure
Take these simple, but important, additional steps to protect yourself and your account.
- Update software and apps: Keep all software, including virus protection software, up to date. Be sure to use the official and most current Etsy apps—or Etsy.com, if you’re on the web—when managing your Etsy account.
- Check for unfamiliar activity: Review sign-in history and check for third-party connections on your Etsy account. Sign out of any unrecognized devices, delete any connections you didn’t add, and reset your password.
- Limit access to your account: Limit access to your account to only those who truly need it to help protect it from unwanted changes, such as accidental password resets. As outlined in Etsy’s Terms of Use, you’re responsible for any activity on your account, so it’s important to keep your account and password secure.
- Keep your contact details up to date: Having a current phone number and email address on file means you’ll be able to verify and authenticate your account with 2 factor authentication, reset your password, and receive important notification emails from Etsy, such as activity alerts related to unusual logins or account changes.
- Change preset passwords on devices: Change the name of your wireless network, as well as any preset passwords that come with your router, to something unique.
- Clear old devices: When switching to a new device, it’s a good idea to delete any personal information and reset your old device to its original, factory settings.
- Keep financial information up to date: If you’re an Etsy seller, you should regularly review payment and billing details so you’ll know right away if suspicious or unfamiliar information appears in your account.
To set up 2 factor authentication for your Etsy account:
- On Etsy.com, in your Account settings, go to Security.
- Under 2 factor authentication, choose Turn on 2FA.
- Choose which option you want to use for 2FA: SMS, Phone, or Authenticator App.
- Select Continue.
- Follow the instructions on screen to confirm the 2FA verification.
- You'll be given backup codes. Choose to either Save to your device or Copy codes.
- Select Done.
To set up 2 factor authentication on the Etsy Seller App:
- On the Etsy Seller app, go to the More tab.
- Under Account & app settings, select 2 Factor authentication
- Choose which option you want to use for 2FA: SMS, Phone, or Authenticator App.
- Select Continue.
- Follow the instructions on screen to confirm the 2FA verification.
- You'll be given backup codes. Choose to either Save to your device or Copy codes.
- Select Done.
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