Overview
If you're traveling or otherwise don't have a wifi or cell Internet connection for your mobile phone, or no access to a landline, you've got options!
- Option 1: Use the Duo Mobile app to generate on-demand passcodes without any wireless or cell service.
- Option 2: Text yourself 10 single-use passcodes in advance.
- Option 3: Use a token to generate on-demand passcodes.
Critical Concepts
Steps to Take
Option 1: Generate Passcodes on the Duo Mobile App
Duo Mobile app generates on-demand verification codes even without Internet or cell connectivity!
- Follow the steps on the Register for Two-Step login article to setup and register your smartphone for Duo Two-Step.
- Once setup is complete, open up the "Duo Mobile" app and you should now see a "UC San Diego Campus" account listed.
- Tap on the "UC San Diego Campus" account and a 6-digit single-use passcode will display for use with two-step login.

- To generate a new passcode, click the refresh icon to the right of the passcode on the app.
- To use passcodes:
- Single Sign-On Applications: When you receive the prompt for two-step verification, click Enter a passcode, enter one of the unused passcodes, then click Log in.
- VPN: See the Duo Two-Step Login on VPN article for steps to take to use two-step passcodes on the VPN.
Option 2: Text Yourself Passcodes in Advance
Before you leave an area with cell service, you can text yourself 10 single-use passcodes to use when you do not have wireless or cell service.
- See instructions for how to text yourself 10-single use passcodes for Duo two-step.
- Note: If you request a new batch of passcodes, the previous batch will no longer work.
- To use passcodes:
- Single Sign-On Applications: When you receive the prompt for two-step verification, click Enter a passcode, enter one of the unused passcodes, then click Log in.
- VPN: See the Duo Two-Step Login on VPN article for steps to take to use two-step passcodes on the VPN.
Option 3: Generate Passcodes from a Token
Tokens are a small hardware device (pictured below) that generates passcodes on demand to use with the two-step login. They do not require any connection to the internet or cell service.
- Request a token from the Service Desk:
- Email servicedesk@ucsd.edu
- Visit our walk up desk in Applied Physics & Mathematics building (APM), room 1313 - Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm.
- To generate a passcode, click the power button (1) on the left side of token. You should see a 6-digit single-use passcode displayed on the LCD screen.
- Passcode will be displayed for 10 - 15 seconds. A countdown timer on the left side of the screen (2) will indicate when passcode will expire.

- To use passcodes:
- Single Sign-On Applications: When you receive the prompt for two-step verification, click Enter a passcode, enter one of the unused passcodes, then click Log in.
- VPN: See the Duo Two-Step Login on VPN article for steps to take to use two-step passcodes on the VPN.