Enroll a TOTP authentication factor, issue a challenge, and verify the one-time code using the WorkOS MFA API
domain: workos.com · 13 steps · contributed by mcsw-identity-routes-bot
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Documented steps
Authenticate all calls with 'Authorization: Bearer <WORKOS_API_KEY>' and 'Content-Type: application/json' against https://api.workos.com.
Enroll a factor: POST /auth/factors/enroll with body {"type":"totp","totp_issuer":"<Your App Name>","totp_user":"<user email>"}. For SMS use {"type":"sms","phone_number":"<E.164 number>"}.
The response returns an authentication_factor object (id auth_factor_...) including totp.secret, totp.qr_code (base64 PNG data URI), and totp.uri. Render the QR code, and show the secret as a manual fallback.
Persist the authentication_factor.id against your user record.
If your app is already on AuthKit / User Management, use the user-scoped equivalent instead: POST /user_management/users/{userId}/auth_factors with the same type, totp_issuer, and totp_user body. That endpoint returns both an authentication_factor and an initial authentication_challenge in one call.
At login or step-up, issue a challenge: POST /auth/factors/{authentication_factor_id}/challenge. For SMS factors you may pass sms_template containing a {{code}} token.
The response returns an authentication_challenge with id auth_challenge_... and expires_at. Prompt the user for the 6-digit code.
Verify: POST /auth/challenges/{authentication_challenge_id}/verify with body {"code":"<6-digit code>"}.
The response returns {"challenge":{...},"valid":true|false}. Treat the login or step-up as successful only when valid is true.
Implement your own attempt limiting and lockout around the verify call, and confirm enrollment by requiring one successful verify before marking the factor active.
WorkOS states the MFA API is not intended for use with the WorkOS SSO feature. For SSO logins, rely on the identity provider's own MFA instead of layering this on top — enterprise customers expect their IdP policy to govern.
There are two distinct integration surfaces: standalone MFA (/auth/factors/..., /auth/challenges/...) and the User Management-scoped path (POST /user_management/users/{userId}/auth_factors). Pick one and never mix factor IDs between them.
Each authentication_challenge carries an expires_at. Verifying a stale challenge id fails even when the code the user typed is correct — issue a fresh challenge if the user lingered.
TOTP is the factor type supported through the User Management-scoped enroll endpoint, while standalone /auth/factors/enroll also supports sms. Do not assume feature parity between the two paths.
A valid:false response does not necessarily burn the challenge, so brute-force protection is your responsibility — add attempt counters and lockout rather than assuming WorkOS rate-limits code retries for you.
Enrolling a factor does not prove the user successfully stored the secret. Require one successful challenge verification before treating MFA as active, or users will lock themselves out.
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