# Recovery/backup codes unavailable after TOTP auth with confusing message

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/recovery-backup-codes-unavailable-after-totp-auth-with-confusing-message/307039>\
**Category:** Product Support\
**Created:** [May 7, 2024, 12:19am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/recovery-backup-codes-unavailable-after-totp-auth-with-confusing-message/307039 "2024-05-07T00:19:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![AJCxZ0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/ajcxz0/32/384119_2.png) [@AJCxZ0](https://meta.discourse.org/u/AJCxZ0)\
**Post date:** [May 7, 2024, 12:41am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/recovery-backup-codes-unavailable-after-totp-auth-with-confusing-message/307039/2 "2024-05-07T00:41:12Z")

</div>

It appears that there is an unspecified requirement to log out of the current session, then log back in, after which the confusing message is replaced by “➕ Add backup codes”.

This seems odd since I want to save codes, not add them. Clicking it, results in a modal

> **Two-Factor Backup Codes**  
> You haven’t created any backup codes yet.  
> Create backup codes

Clicking _Create backup codes_ generates the codes and offers opportunity to download or copy them - something I expected to be able to do immediately after enabling my second factor authentication, not after this confused and confusing obstacle course.

I strongly recommend offering the generated recovery/backup codes upon activation of the second factor authentication with suitable advice on securely saving them and their use - consistent with the vast majority of similar interfaces.  
An option to generate replacement codes should also be offered.

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