Pairing Your Phone and Browser

Pairing connects your phone to the FactorCat browser extension. Once paired, the extension can send approval requests to your phone, and approved codes fill in automatically. This is what makes the push approval flow work.

What “paired” means

When your phone and browser are paired:

• The extension knows which phone to send approval requests to
• Your phone knows to trust requests from that extension
• Auto-fill works — approve on your phone, code fills in your browser
• Factor metadata syncs between devices

Pairing happens once. After that, the connection persists across browser sessions, app restarts, and device reboots.

Same-account auto-linking (easiest)

If you sign in to FactorCat with the same account on both your phone and the browser extension, they link automatically. No QR code needed.

1. Sign in on your phone (Google, Apple, or email)
2. Install the extension for Chrome or Firefox
3. Sign in to the extension with the same account
4. Done — the devices recognize each other and pair automatically

This is the default path and works for most users. If you signed in with Google on your phone and Google on the extension (same email), you’re paired.

QR sign-in pairing

If auto-linking doesn’t work (different auth methods with different emails, or you want to pair an additional device), use QR pairing:

1. Open the extension or web dashboard — it shows a QR code on the pairing screen
2. Open the FactorCat mobile app
3. Tap the Scan button (or use the pairing option in Settings)
4. Point your phone’s camera at the QR code on screen
5. The devices complete a secure handshake and link

The QR direction is always screen → phone — you scan from the screen with your phone, not the other way around. This keeps the flow consistent whether you’re pairing from the extension or the web dashboard.

Verifying the pair works

After pairing, test the connection:

1. Visit any site where you have a factor stored (or visit a test site with 2FA)
2. Reach the MFA input field
3. Your phone should receive a push notification
4. Tap Approve — the code fills in your browser

If the notification arrives and auto-fill works, you’re set. If not, see Troubleshooting: Pairing failed.

Troubleshooting pairing issues

Common problems and fixes:

• Different accounts — make sure you’re signed in with the same account on both devices. Check the account email in the extension settings and the mobile app’s Settings screen.
• Auto-linking didn’t trigger — close and reopen the extension to force a fresh device check.
• QR code won’t scan — make sure the QR is fully visible on screen and your phone camera has a clear view. Try adjusting screen brightness.
• Still not working — sign out of both devices and sign back in. This resets device registration and forces a fresh pairing.

For more help, see Troubleshooting.

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Once paired, your next step is to add factors if you haven’t already, or try the push approval flow on a site where you have 2FA set up.