Authenticating to GitHub

Authenticating to GitHub using the browser

1. In the upper-left corner of your screen, select the GitHub Desktop menu, then click Preferences.

   

2. In the Preferences window, select Accounts.

   

3. To the right of "GitHub," click Sign In.

   

4. In the Sign in pane, click Sign in using your browser.

   

5. To authenticate to GitHub, type your GitHub.com credentials and click Sign in.

   

   Alternatively, if you were already logged in to GitHub, follow the prompts to return to GitHub Desktop to finish authenticating.

6. If you have configured two-factor authentication for GitHub, do one of the following:

   • If you set up 2FA via SMS, retrieve your 2FA code from an SMS message.
   • If you set up 2FA with a TOTP application, generate a 2FA code.

7. Return to GitHub. In the prompt, enter your 2FA code, then click Verify.

   

8. After GitHub authenticates your account, return to GitHub Desktop.

Authenticating to GitHub using your username and password

1. In the upper-left corner of your screen, select the GitHub Desktop menu, then click Preferences.

   

2. In the Preferences window, select Accounts.

   

3. In the Accounts pane, do one of the following:

   • To authenticate to GitHub, under "GitHub.com" click Sign In.
   • To authenticate to GitHub Enterprise, under "GitHub Enterprise" click Sign In.

4. To add a GitHub Enterprise account, type your credentials under "Enterprise server address," then click Continue.

   

5. To add a GitHub account, type your GitHub.com credentials and click Sign in.

   

6. If you have configured two-factor authentication for GitHub or GitHub Enterprise, do one of the following:

   • If you set up 2FA via SMS, retrieve your 2FA code from an SMS message.
   • If you set up 2FA with a TOTP application, generate a 2FA code.

7. Return to GitHub Desktop. In the prompt, enter your 2FA code, then click Sign in.