How to use Minimalist as an authenticator for sites with two-factor authentication (2FA)

Minimalist can securely store and generate one-time passwords without requiring an additional authenticator app. One-time passwords are generated 100% offline so they work without an internet connection and while in Airplane Mode. Here's how to get started.

Step 1: Setup two-factor authentication for websites which support it

In order to use Minimalist as an authenticator, you'll first need to setup two-factor authentication (2FA) on each website which supports it. Many popular websites already support 2FA, with more being added to the list everyday.

  • Search the 2fa.directory to find out which websites you use support 2FA.
  • Select the blue Docs icon to show instructions for a particular website.
  • Follow the instructions provided by the website.
  • When you see a QR code to be scanned, continue with the next steps.

Step 2: Add your secret key to Minimalist

Rather than having you scan the provided QR code with another device, Minimalist lets you setup verification codes directly on the device you're using via Apple's "Set Up Verification Code" feature. It's simpler, faster, and more secure than most QR code scanning solutions. Go ahead and try it!

To start, tell your device to open verification code setup links and QR codes in Minimalist:

  • Open System Settings.
  • Select Passwords.
  • Select Password Options.
  • Select Minimalist under "Set Up Codes In".

You can now open verification code setup links and QR codes directly in Minimalist:

  • Navigate back to the website with the setup QR code.
  • Right-click or long-press on the QR code to bring up the menu system.
  • Select either "Set Up Verification Code" or "Open in Minimalist", whichever is available.
  • Once Minimalist opens up, select the item you'd like to store this verification code in.
  • Select "Done" to save the item.

If you're using an older device which does not support verification code setup links, you can still setup verification codes manually using a secret key provided by most websites. Here's how it generally works:

  • Open Minimalist.
  • Create a new Login item, or edit the existing Login item for the website.
  • Select "Show one-time password" just below the password field.
  • Go to the website where the QR code is displayed and look for an option to show the secret key as text.
    • It may say “show secret key”, or “can’t scan QR code?”, or something similar.
  • Copy/paste the secret key into the one-time password field in Minimalist.
  • Select "Done" to save the item.

Minimalist should now be generating one-time passwords along with a circular time-remaining indicator showing how long before the one-time password re-generates.

Step 3: Enable automatic copying of one-time passwords when using AutoFill

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which unfortunately does not yet support auto-filling of one-time passwords for third party passwords managers like Minimalist.

However there is good news! Apple has announced they will be adding support for this feature in macOS Sequoia and iOS 18. We will be updating Minimalist to take advantage of this new feature as soon as possible.

In the mean time, Minimalist can automatically copy one-time passwords to the clipboard when using AutoFill.

Here's how to enabled it:

  • Open Minimalist app.
  • Select gear icon to open “Settings” screen.
  • Select "Minimalist AutoFill”.
  • Enable “Automatically copy one-time passwords…”
  • Optionally allow notifications to remind you when a one-time password has been copied (recommended).

And here's how to use it:

  • AutoFill the username and password of any Login item for which you've setup one-time passwords.
  • Watch for the notification indicating the one-time password has been copied.
    • One-time passwords are still copied even when notifications are disabled or silenced by Do Not Disturb.
  • Manually paste the copied one-time password into the appropriate field.

Step 4: Confirm it's working!

To confirm that you’ve setup one-time passwords correctly, websites will generally ask you to enter a one-time password immediately.

Simply copy/paste the currently generated one-time password from Minimalist into the provided field and you should be good to go!

Please let us know if you run into any trouble at hello@minimalistpassword.com. We'll be happy to help!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Securely share items between family or team members via shared vaults

Minimalist does not yet support sharing of items via shared vaults... at least not yet! Here is what we're planning for the future.

Benefits and Limitations of Apple's AutoFill System

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple's AutoFill system which provides significant security and privacy benefits over third-party browser extensions. Unfortunately this system is also quite limiting, preventing us from customizing behavior, adding new features, or fixing bugs. In other words, we can either take it or leave it.

AutoFill in non-Safari browsers on Mac

Minimalist AutoFill is currently limited to browsers and apps which support Apple’s AutoFill system. On iOS this includes virtually all of them: Chrome, FireFox, Brave, DuckDuckGo, Edge, Opera, and probably many others. On Mac however, it's currently limited to Safari only... at least for now.

How to prevent Safari on Mac from asking to save passwords

Recent versions of macOS have added the ability to select which password providers are available when using Apple's AutoFill system. You can now enable Minimalist and disable other providers such as Apple's Passwords app under System Settings -> General -> AutoFill & Passwords.

How to save new logins from Safari back into Minimalist

Minimalist communicates with Safari via Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system does not currently support saving new logins from Safari back into Minimalist... at least not yet!

How to update existing login passwords from Safari back into Minimalist

Minimalist communicates with Safari via Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system does not currently support updating existing login passwords from Safari back into Minimalist... at least not yet!

How to keep in sync via iCloud

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How to store Passkeys in Minimalist

We’ve been watching Apple’s Passkey development for quite a while now and we're getting pretty excited about the prospects of a fully password-less future. Having said that, we imagine the transition will take quite a few years to complete. So in the meantime, we've decided to add Passkey support to Minimalist in an upcoming release. Here's what we're thinking.

How to AutoFill a single Login item on multiple websites

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How Apple's AutoFill system works with subdomains

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system handles subdomains a little differently than we'd like, and there is very little we can do about it.

How to AutoFill credit card information

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system is currently limited to usernames and passwords only, and does not support auto-filling of other content types such as credit card information... yet.

How to automatically copy 2FA one-time passwords when using AutoFill

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which unfortunately does not yet support auto-filling of one-time passwords for third party passwords managers like Minimalist. That's why Minimalist offers automatic copying of one-time passwords while using AutoFill.

How to attach files, photos, PDFs, and more

Securely store files, photos, PDFs, and more inside any item in Minimalist using an "Attachment" field. Attachments are synced via iCloud using the same end-to-end encryption as everything else in Minimalist.

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For a few years now we've contemplated adding a Menu Bar App to Minimalist. After much deliberation, we have decided we simply cannot justify the additional development resources required given the limited number of people who would benefit from it. We know this was not the answer you were looking for, but hopefully it helps anyhow. Thank you for your understanding.

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Data breaches are far more common than any of us want to admit. Passwords are leaked with alarming frequency. Websites exist where you can check if your passwords have been compromised, but you have to check them one at a time! Wouldn't it be great if Minimalist could safely and securely check them all for you? Yeah, we think so too!

What is a third party security audit and has one been performed?

A third party security audit is a thorough assessment of all code, documentation, and processes related to a software system by an independent third party security firm. The goal of an audit is to uncover potential security risks which can then be patched by the software's developer. As Minimalist is relatively new, we have not been able to perform such an audit... yet!

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How to AutoFill multiple username fields on sites like American Airlines

Minimalist AutoFill is built on Apple’s AutoFill system which provides secure, private, and convenient auto-filling of usernames and passwords into websites and apps. Unfortunately Apple's AutoFill system is currently limited to a single username / password combination, and does not support auto-filling of multiple username fields... yet.

How to show the password history of a Login item

Minimalist keeps a history of previous passwords used for each Login item. Follow these steps to show and hide any Login item's password history.

When will Minimalist support the new Verification Code AutoFill in Safari 15?

Unfortunately this feature is currently limited to Apple's iCloud Keychain and is not available to third party password managers like Minimalist... at least not yet!

Will Minimalist be adding support for hardware security keys such as YubiKey?

For a few years now we've contemplated adding support for hardware security keys to Minimalist. After much deliberation, we have decided we simply cannot justify the additional development resources required given the limited number of people who would benefit from it. We know this was not the answer you were looking for, but hopefully it helps anyhow. Thank you for your understanding.

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We think you're going to love Minimalist! However you can of course cancel your subscription at any time if you are not completely satisfied. Here's what you need to do.

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We think you're going to love Minimalist! However if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase you can request a refund directly from Apple by following these steps.

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We think you're going to love Minimalist! However we understand it's not for everyone. If you've decided it's time to move on, you can delete your Minimalist account which will permanently delete all data from all synced devices.

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