Two-factor authentication protects our sites, our clients, and our peace of mind. We all know we should use it, yet the extra steps can slow us down. If you manage one site, it feels like a small hassle. If you oversee dozens of sites, it can become a significant burden.
The problem is friction. Traditional 2FA makes us stop, grab our phone, unlock an app, find the corresponding account, and then type a six-digit code before it changes. That grind keeps many people from turning it on. Good news, we can keep 2FA and lose the friction.
In this guide, we walk through a simple setup that keeps the strong security of 2FA while removing the pain of code juggling on a phone. We show the exact tools and steps we use, including a tiny upgrade in Bitwarden that pays for itself immediately.
Why Two-Factor Authentication is Essential for Securing Your WordPress Site
Two-factor authentication adds a second check on top of your password. After you enter a username and password, you confirm with a time-based code. That extra step blocks most account takeovers. It is not fancy; it just works.
2FA is super important for securing your WordPress website because it closes the door on simple attacks. Passwords get reused, guessed, or phished. A second factor reduces that risk in a big way. It prevents hackers from logging in even if they guess your password.
Our Experience With Two-Factor Tools and the Switch That Saved Our Sanity
We have used a mobile authenticator app for years. It works, but the workflow adds up. We would look down at our phone, unlock it with Face ID, scroll to the right account, watch the code timer, and type the numbers before they changed. That was fine on one or two sites. Managing 50, 75, or 100 sites became a challenge.
A recent conversation on X (formerly Twitter) sent us looking for a cleaner 2FA setup that lived inside our browser. We considered 1Password ‘s built-in authenticator that’s part of their Individual plan ($36 per year) and then checked Bitwarden, which we were already using for password management. However, we found the same feature inside Bitwarden’s Premium plan for 1/3 the price ($10 per year) of 1Password.
The pivotal moment came when we upgraded to Bitwarden Premium for the built-in authenticator. We removed the manual process of gathering one-time codes from phones with the Bitwarden browser extension. Now the two-factor codes appear right where we are logging in. No context switching. No manual typing. Just a click to apply the current code, and you’re in!
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Easier 2FA in WordPress
We use the free Two-Factor plugin (WP.org), then store and auto-apply the codes with the Bitwarden browser extensions.
Install and Activate the Two-Factor Plugin
We use the free Two-Factor plugin (WP.org), built by the WordPress team.
Enable 2FA for Your Admin Users
Now turn it on for your admin accounts. We recommend enabling 2FA on all administrative users across your sites.
Steps to enable 2FA for WordPress accounts:
- Go to Users, then open the user profile you want to protect.
- Scroll to the Two-Factor Options section.
- Tick the checkbox for Enable Authenticator App.
- Click Update User to save changes.
- Return to the Two-Factor Options section to view the QR code and the verification field.
Integrate Bitwarden in the Browser for Auto-Apply Codes
Bitwarden Premium includes an authenticator that reads a QR code and then generates time-based codes inside the extension. Once linked, Bitwarden shows the current code right where you are logging in and lets you “send” it into the form.
Steps to connect your WordPress user to Bitwarden:
- Open the Bitwarden browser extension.
- Find or create the entry for your site and user, then click Edit.
- Click the camera icon in Bitwarden to capture the QR code that the Two Factor plugin shows. It will detect and store the secret automatically.
- Click Save in Bitwarden.
- Back in WordPress, enter the current code from Bitwarden into the Authentication Code field and click Verify.
- Click Update User one more time to be safe.
That is it. You moved your one-time code from your phone app into your browser!
Pro Tip: We do not use the full auto-login feature of BitWarden, which fills out the username and password and logs us in without a click. We allow Bitwarden to autofill the username and password, and then we click Login ourselves. This small step reduces risk without adding hefty friction.
Testing Your New 2FA Setup: A Smooth Login Flow
Now let’s confirm it works and enjoy the improved experience.
- Log out of your WordPress site.
- On the login screen, use Bitwarden to autofill your username and password. Click Login.
- WordPress will prompt for the authentication code.
- Bitwarden will show the current 2FA code in the extension. Click to apply it into the field.
- You’re in!
When This Solution Saves the Most Time
- Agencies and in-house teams with many installs.
- Freelancers who jump between client sites each day.
- Anyone who audits plugins or updates themes across a stack of sites.
On one site, it feels like a small boost. Across 50 or 100 sites, it adds up to hours every month. It also reduces mental load. We stop breaking focus to find a code on a different device.
Common Questions We Hear
- Is this secure enough for admin accounts? Yes, you still use a second factor. You are just storing your time-based codes inside a protected password manager instead of a phone app.
- Do I need to enable this for every user? Start with admin users. Extend to editors and other roles as needed.
- What if I already use 1Password? You can stay with it and set up its built-in authenticator. The idea is the same.
Final Recommendations: Eliminate 2FA Friction and Boost Security
Turn on 2FA for all admin accounts today. Keep the Two-Factor plugin in WordPress, then store and apply codes with Bitwarden Premium in your browser. This setup keeps strong protection while removing the grind of phone-based codes. If you manage many sites, the time savings and focus boost are huge.
We started with a simple goal: reduce friction without giving up This approach delivers both strong protection and convenience. Try it today to maintain your sanity.