Best practices for multi-factor authentication account recovery

Mar 21, 2025

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an essential safeguard for protecting sensitive information. However, as crucial as it is for security, the MFA recovery process can sometimes be a double-edged sword. If users lose access to their authentication method, they risk being locked out of their accounts. Therefore, a robust MFA recovery process should be a critical part of any authentication strategy.

Let’s walk through best practices for MFA account recovery to ensure your users can easily and securely regain access to their accounts.

Authentication requirements for account recovery

While traditional MFA methods provide excellent security, the MFA recovery process requires a slightly different approach. Recovery methods must be easily accessible, and memorable, and allow for a slower authentication process. Recovering an account isn't something most users would be required to do regularly.

The key requirements for a recovery system are:

Long-term memorability or access: Users need to easily retrieve their recovery method, even if they don’t use it regularly.
A slower authentication process is acceptable: Since account recovery is infrequent, a slight delay in authentication is fine as long as security is not compromised.
Widely usable: The recovery method must be accessible and practical for most users across different devices and locations.

The right balance is essential. Your recovery process should be secure enough to prevent unauthorized access but user-friendly enough to prevent frustration.

Plivo’s Verify API, which supports multiple channels like SMS and in-app push notifications, can be an excellent tool for ensuring users have quick, secure access to their recovery methods.

What are the options for account recovery?

Gone are the days of relying on security questions for account recovery. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has since recommended shifting away from these outdated methods due to their vulnerability. Today, the most reliable account recovery options involve using possession-based methods or account activity details.

1. Possession methods

Possession-based recovery methods are more secure than knowledge-based methods like security questions. Examples include:

Backup codes: These are typically one-time-use codes that can be generated during the initial MFA setup. Users should store these codes securely in case of device loss or other issues. While they may seem simple, they offer a solid layer of security.
Passkeys: A passwordless option that syncs private keys across devices, making it easier for users to recover their accounts without needing to remember complex passwords. Although passkeys are still being adopted, they offer a promising solution for both MFA and recovery.

Implementing these methods provides a secure fallback when users lose access to their primary authentication methods. Plivo’s Verify API can easily integrate into your system to deliver SMS-based recovery codes, offering both security and simplicity for users who need to regain access.

2. Account activity details

Another way to strengthen your recovery process is by leveraging account activity details. For example, asking users to confirm recent transactions or other identifiable actions can serve as a powerful recovery tool. These methods provide additional layers of security, helping to confirm a user's identity when primary credentials are unavailable.

How to strengthen your account recovery process?

To improve your account recovery process, consider the following recommendations:

Register additional authentication methods: Ensure that users register multiple recovery methods during account setup. This gives them options to access their account if they lose access to one method.
Design recovery processes based on data sensitivity: The higher the value of the data you're protecting, the more robust your recovery process should be. For sensitive services like financial applications, additional security layers are necessary.
Require successful MFA setup before new methods: Before enabling new MFA methods, ensure users have successfully completed the MFA setup process to avoid issues during recovery.
Prompt users about available recovery options: Regularly remind users of the backup methods available to them, particularly when logging in from new devices or after a password change.

Enhancing recovery process security

When enhancing your recovery process, keep these security measures in mind:

Implement waiting periods: For sensitive recoveries, a waiting period can act as a deterrent for unauthorized access attempts. This gives you time to review and confirm that the recovery request is legitimate.
Maintain MFA during recovery: Don’t deactivate MFA when users are trying to recover their accounts. This ensures that multiple authentication steps are still in place, preventing unauthorized access.

The MFA recovery process should always remain as secure as possible, even if it’s a bit slower than regular authentication. By adding layers of security, such as SMS or app-based MFA, you can ensure that both you and your users stay protected.

Simplify account recovery with Plivo’s Verify API

Plivo’s Verify API streamlines the MFA recovery process with secure, multi-channel options tailored to your business needs. By integrating Verify API into your authentication system, you can ensure users regain access efficiently while maintaining high-security standards.

Key features of Plivo’s Verify API:

Multi-Channel support: Deliver recovery codes through SMS, voice, or in-app push notifications. With support for global reach across 220+ countries, Plivo ensures reliable account recovery even in regions with strict messaging regulations.
Fraud prevention at no extra cost: Plivo’s built-in Fraud Shield detects and blocks fraudulent SMS activity, safeguarding your business from unnecessary costs and security breaches.
Zero compliance hurdles: Pre-registered sender IDs and templates eliminate regulatory paperwork, allowing you to go live instantly in key markets like the US, UK, and India.
Seamless integration: Plivo’s developer-first APIs and detailed documentation make it easy to integrate Verify API into your existing workflows. With sample code in popular languages like Python and Java, you can go live in one sprint.
Scalability: Whether supporting a small user base or scaling to millions of users, Plivo’s infrastructure ensures consistent and reliable performance, even during peak traffic.

Why choose Plivo?

Cost-Effective: Pay only for channel costs (SMS, voice, or WhatsApp) with no hidden fees or additional charges for verification or fraud prevention.
Proven performance: Achieve a 95% OTP conversion rate across multiple channels, ensuring seamless user recovery experiences.
Developer-Friendly: Cut implementation time by 90% with ready-to-use sample code and robust support from Plivo’s engineering team.

By leveraging Plivo’s Verify API, businesses can deliver a hassle-free, secure recovery experience while reducing support costs and protecting user data. Whether scaling globally or enhancing regional workflows, Plivo ensures your multi-factor authentication system remains intact during recovery, minimizing vulnerabilities and maximizing user satisfaction.

Take the next step with Plivo’s Verify API
Empower your business with a secure, cost-effective, and seamless account recovery solution. Whether you’re looking to improve OTP conversion rates, prevent fraud, or streamline user authentication, Plivo’s Verify API delivers the tools you need.

Get started today—integrate our Verify API in under a sprint and experience unparalleled reliability, global scalability, and expert support. Book a demo or request trial access now to see how Plivo can transform your account recovery process.