Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for BioRender accounts

Secure your BioRender account and safeguard your team’s scientific work with two-factor authentication (2FA). This added layer of protection helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures compliance with modern security standards.

All premium account holders will be automatically enrolled on March 18, 2026.

Sections in this guide:

Admin sections

• How to enable and manage 2FA in BioRender as an administrator

Team or organization members

• How to use 2FA if you are a member of a team or organization

Individual accounts

• How to enable and manage 2FA as an individual user

Additional information

• Why BioRender requires two-factor authentication
• Frequently asked questions

How to manage 2FA in BioRender as an administrator

Admins can enable 2FA early and choose which authentication methods are available to their team. If no action is taken by April 18th, 2026, 2FA will automatically be enabled.

1. Log in to your BioRender account.
2. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "Edit Profile & Settings".

3. Go to the "Settings" tab.

4. Click "Enable Two-Factor Authentication".

5. Choose the authentication methods you want to allow. You will need to select one:

1. Authenticator app (recommended, most secure)
   • If you use this option, users can use any standard TOTP authenticator. 
   • Admins cannot require a specific authenticator app.
   • Compatible apps (available on iOS and Android) include:
     • Google Authenticator
     • Microsoft Authenticator
     • Authy
     • Auth0 Guardian 
     • Other apps like 1Password or LastPass will work if they support TOTP codes.
2. Email
3. SMS (availability varies by region)

6. Click "Save changes.

7. Review member accounts in your “Account Overview & User Tab”. You will see if 2FA has been enabled under the “2FA” column. 

How to reset 2FA for users in BioRender if you are an administrator

Reset 2FA for an individual user

1. Go to your “Account Overview and Users” tab.
2. Find the user whose 2FA needs to be reset.
3. Click the 'more options' menu represented by "..." next to the user's name.
4. Select "Reset 2FA".
5. Confirm the reset when prompted.

Members will be prompted to set up 2FA the next time they log in after it's enabled.

2FA 30-day exemption (expired)

The extended deadline for 2FA set up for organizational admins was April 18th, 2026. As a result, 30-day exemptions are no longer available.

All paid users and group subscriptions are now required to complete 2FA setup to access their accounts. If you have not yet enrolled in 2FA, you will be prompted to do so at login before continuing.

If you’re experiencing issues completing 2FA setup, please contact BioRender Support for assistance.

How to use 2FA if you’re a member of a team or organization

When your Admin has enabled 2FA, you'll complete the setup the next time you sign in with their chosen, preferred method (Authenticator app, SMS, Email).

Logging in with 2FA for the first time

1. Navigate to your log in page (If 2FA has been enabled for your account, proceed to step 2).
2. If you are part of an organization or team, your authentication method will become available. 

3. If a specific authentication method is not visible, it means the option has been disabled or excluded by your administrator.

• Authenticator app (recommended)
• SMS (if available)
• Email 

4. Follow the prompts to complete setup.

5. Enter the verification code to secure your account (example below is for email authentication).

6. Once the verification has been completed, you'll receive an email your account is now protected.

Next time you log in

Check your preferred application that you chose (such as Google Authenticator, SMS, or email) for your code. Add your code in to gain access to your account.

Recovery code 

If it is your first time setting up 2FA, you will be prompted to save your recovery code. We recommend copying it and keeping it somewhere safe.

How to manage 2FA in BioRender as an individual user (not linked to a group or organizational license)

After March 18, 2026, you will be prompted to sign in with 2FA.

Logging in

1. Navigate to your log in page.
2. A note to secure your account will pop up on attempt of your log in.

3. Set up your 2FA.

• Authenticator app (recommended)
• SMS (if available)
• Email 

4. Follow the prompts to complete setup.

5. Enter the verification code to secure your account (example below is for email authentication).

6. Once the verification has been completed, you'll receive an email your account is now protected.

Next time you log in

Check your preferred application that you chose (such as Google Authenticator, SMS, or email) for your code. Add your code in to gain access to your account.

Changing your preferred method

If you would like to change your 2FA method, please contact our support team.

Why BioRender requires two-factor authentication

2FA helps secure the scientific work created on the platform. This change supports industry-standard security and compliance expectations across research, organizational, and team environments.

Frequently asked questions

I wasn’t prompted to set up 2FA yet - should I be concerned?

Please check your email (and junk mail folder) to see where you are in the phased rollout.

I can’t access my 2FA method anymore. What should I do next?

Contact your Admin or BioRender Support for help restoring access. 

If I am not on a team or organization license and need to change my 2FA, what should I do?

Contact our support team for assistance.

Can I choose which method to use for 2FA?

Yes. You can select from the available options if they are available for your region. If you do not see a specific method available, it is not an option at this time. 

If you are on a Team or Organizational license, your Admin will have set the preference: authenticator app, email, or SMS (where supported).

Can an organization require users to use a specific authenticator app, such as Microsoft Authenticator?

Administrators can require the use of an authenticator app as the 2FA method. For example, an organization may choose to allow only the “Authenticator app” option.

However, BioRender does not support restricting users to a single specific authenticator app, such as only Microsoft Authenticator. Any compatible app that supports standard TOTP codes can be used to complete setup.

Are there any authenticator apps that are restricted or not supported?

For OTP-based multi-factor authentication, BioRender supports any standard TOTP authenticator app that complies with RFC 6238.

Commonly used and fully compatible apps include Auth0 Guardian, Authy, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator. All of these apps are available on iOS and Android.

Because BioRender uses the industry-standard TOTP protocol, other compatible apps such as 1Password, LastPass, or any authenticator that supports QR code scanning or manual key entry will also work. There is no restriction to a specific authenticator app, as long as it supports standard TOTP codes.

How can I manage my lab of rotating team members / students now that 2FA is required?

We understand lab teams change frequently. Here’s how BioRender is designed to support that securely.

Each team member should have their own BioRender login. When a lab member leaves, simply remove them as a member (Settings > Members). Adding a new lab member is easy: Invite them from the Members panel, and they’ll set up their own 2FA on first login.

2FA makes this transition more secure: when a lab member is removed, they immediately lose access, and you don’t have to worry about a shared login being used by someone no longer in your lab.

How can multiple people administer the BioRender account for our org? 

For security, each admin should have their own individual BioRender login. BioRender supports multiple admins per organization.

You can invite each person who needs admin access as a separate admin, each with their own login and 2FA setup. That way your PI and lab manager each have their own secure credentials, and neither has to share a device. It also gives you a clear audit trail of who made which changes.

Need help?

1. Email: support@biorender.com
2. Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app on the bottom right-hand corner.