Recovery codes are 10 single-use backup codes Biller Genie generates when you set up an authenticator app for multi-factor authentication (MFA). If you lose your phone, replace your device, or your authenticator app gets uninstalled, a recovery code lets you sign in and re-enroll without contacting support. They are the safety net that keeps MFA from locking you out of your own account.
What recovery codes look like
Each recovery code is a 10-character string formatted as five characters, a hyphen, then five more characters — for example A8K3F-7QM2N. Biller Genie issues 10 codes per user, all generated at the same time you complete authenticator setup.
- Single-use. Each code works exactly once. After you use it to sign in, that specific code is invalidated. You still have the other nine.
- Order-independent. You can use them in any order. Each one is equally valid.
- Account-wide. Your recovery codes are tied to your user, not to a specific device or browser. You can use them from any computer, in any browser.
Where you get your recovery codes
You see them exactly once, on the final screen of authenticator setup. The flow is:
- From Account Settings → User Profile, click Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.
- Scan the QR code in your authenticator app.
- Enter the 6-digit verification code from your app.
- On the success screen, Biller Genie displays your 10 recovery codes.
The recovery-codes screen gives you two actions: Copy to clipboard (drops all 10 codes onto your clipboard so you can paste them somewhere) and Download as text file (saves them as a plain .txt file). Use one or both before you close the page.
You only see your recovery codes ONCE
For security, Biller Genie does not store your recovery codes in a place we can show them to you later. If you close the setup page without saving them, you cannot retrieve them — you can only regenerate a fresh set (which invalidates the codes you missed). Always save them before navigating away.
How to sign in with a recovery code
Reach for a recovery code in any situation where your authenticator app is not available — lost phone, factory-reset device, app uninstalled, broken phone, traveling without your device, etc.
- Go to the Biller Genie sign-in page and enter your email and password as usual.
- On the screen that asks for your 6-digit code, click Use a recovery code instead.
- Type in one of your unused recovery codes and submit.
- You are signed in. The code you just used is now spent — cross it off whatever list you are keeping.
Once you are in, immediately set up the authenticator on a new device from your profile. While you are there, regenerate your recovery codes (see below) so you have a fresh set of 10.
Where to store your recovery codes
Recovery codes are as sensitive as your password. Anyone holding them can bypass MFA on your account, so treat them with the same care.
- Best: store them in your password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, Apple Keychain, etc.) as a secure note attached to your Biller Genie login. This is encrypted, searchable, and syncs across your devices.
- Also fine: print them on paper and keep the printout in a locked drawer or safe — your "break in case of emergency" envelope.
- Acceptable: save them in an encrypted file (BitLocker, FileVault, a password-protected ZIP) on a personal device.
Do NOT save recovery codes in...
your email inbox, a plain note app, your desktop, a shared cloud folder anyone in the company can read, a sticky note on your monitor, or anywhere else that does not protect them at the same level as your password. If recovery codes were stolen, an attacker with your password could sign in even with MFA enabled.
Regenerating your recovery codes
You can issue a fresh set of 10 codes at any time. The new set replaces the old set — any unused codes from the previous set stop working immediately. This is the right action to take if:
- You have used most of your codes and want a fresh 10.
- You suspect the codes were exposed (lost on paper, sent in a chat by mistake, stored somewhere insecure).
- You just used a recovery code to recover from a lost device and want to top up the set.
- An employee on your account has left and may have had visibility into the codes — though they would also need the password, regenerating is good hygiene.
How to regenerate
- Sign in to Biller Genie. You will need your authenticator app or an unused recovery code for the initial sign-in.
- Open your profile (click your name in the top-right corner → Profile).
- Find the Two-Factor Authentication section and click Regenerate Recovery Codes.
- Confirm. Biller Genie will display 10 fresh codes.
- Save them the same way you saved the original set — and discard the old set.
What if you have lost your authenticator AND your recovery codes?
This is the scenario recovery codes exist to prevent. If both are gone, Biller Genie cannot self-serve you back in — by design — because that would defeat the point of MFA.
Email support@billergenie.com from a business email address. Support will verify your identity using business information, recent invoice numbers, or a phone call with the primary account owner. Once verified, support resets MFA on your account, and on your next sign-in you re-enroll the authenticator from scratch. Plan on this taking up to a business day. As soon as you are back in, save your new recovery codes before you do anything else.
Frequently asked questions
How many recovery codes do I get?
Ten codes. They are issued together at authenticator-setup time, and you can regenerate to get a fresh set of 10 at any point.
Can I see how many recovery codes I have left?
Yes. Your profile page shows a Recovery Codes counter indicating how many unused codes remain. When the counter gets low, regenerate to top up to a fresh 10.
What happens to my codes if I disable MFA?
Disabling MFA invalidates all your recovery codes. If you ever re-enable MFA later, you will set up the authenticator again and receive a new set of 10 codes.
What happens if I regenerate codes by mistake?
The previous set is gone the moment you regenerate. There is no way to restore the old codes. Save the new set immediately.
Can I print recovery codes if I do not use a password manager?
Yes. The downloaded text file is plain text — open it, print it, and store the printout somewhere only you can access (a locked drawer at home, a safe). Shred any working copies that are not your final storage.
Are recovery codes the same across all my Biller Genie accounts?
No. Recovery codes are per-user. If you are a user on multiple Biller Genie accounts (for example, you manage two businesses), each account has its own MFA setup with its own 10 recovery codes. Keep them labeled clearly in storage.
Related articles
- Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication on Your Biller Genie Account — the parent guide that introduces MFA and the authenticator-app setup.
- Why Biller Genie Logs You Out (Session Security) — the 25-minute inactivity timeout.
- Changing Your Biller Genie Password — self-serve password reset.
- Completing Your Annual PCI Compliance — the broader payments-industry security context.