---
title: Pairing your PingID desktop app
description: "To set up PingID desktop app for secure authentication, you need to register or 'pair' PingID desktop app with your account."
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:ug_pid_pairing_pid_desktop_app
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/ug_pid_pairing_pid_desktop_app.html
revdate: May 7, 2024
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result:
  result-3: Result:
  result-4: Result:
  related-links: Related links
---

# Pairing your PingID desktop app

To set up PingID desktop app for secure authentication, you need to register or 'pair' PingID desktop app with your account.

## Before you begin

* Install the PingID desktop app. This is often done by your administrator. For instructions on how to install it yourself, see the relevant tab in this section for Mac or Windows.

## About this task

After you have paired your device and authenticated successfully, you can also use the app to authenticate when accessing your VPN, or a Windows login machine using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), if required.

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | If you already have a device paired with your account and your organization allows you to pair more than one device, you can add the PingID desktop app as an authentication method in the **My Devices** page. For more information, see [Adding and reordering devices](../managing_your_devices/pid_ug_adding_and_reordering_devices.html). |

## Steps

1. Sign on to your account or app and when you see the registration window, click **Start**.

   ![A screen capture of the Registration window showing the Start button.](_images/gak1668088907565.png)

   You'll see the **Add a New Device** window, showing the QR code.

   ![A screen capture of the Add New Device window showing device options available for you to add.](_images/lcz1668089066706.png)

2. In the **Add a New Device** window, click **Desktop**.

   ### Result:

   The **Desktop Setup** window opens, displaying a **Pairing Key**.

   ![A screen capture of the Desktop Setup window displaying the Pairing Key](_images/yhy1590308896785.png)

3. Launch the PingID desktop application, and in the **Pairing Key** field enter the pairing key from step 2 and then click **Pair**.

   ![A screen capture of the PingID desktop app window, showing the Pairing Key field.](_images/desktopApp1_8_pairing.png)

4. (Optional) If you want to create a user profile, before you enter the pairing key, click ![A screen capture of the Add Profile button](_images/desktopApp1_8_add_profile_button.png), enter a name for the profile, and then click **Create**. The Desktop app shows the name of the profile and the **Pairing Key** field.

   ### Result:

   A one-time passcode (OTP) generates. If you are prompted to create a PIN code, see step 4.

5. If your organization requires you to create a PIN code:

   1. In the **Enter PIN** field, enter a PIN code. Click **Next**.

      ![A screen capture of the Create PIN window requesting a 6-digit PIN entry.](_images/fdq1564020930639.png)

      |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
      | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
      |   | The PIN code must be either 4 or 6 digits, as specified, and include more than 2 different digits if the PIN length is 4 digits, or 3 different digits if the PIN length is 6 digits. Digits must not be in ascending or descending sequence. For example, 1111, 123321, 8787, and 765432 are not allowed. |

   2. Re-enter the PIN code when prompted. Click **Done**.

      ### Result:

      An OTP is generated.

      ![A screen capture of the OTP with the Copy or Refresh options.](_images/desktopApp1_8_otp.png)

6. The next time you sign on to your account or app using a web browser, use the PingID desktop app to authenticate:

   1. Launch the PingID desktop app to generate an OTP.

   2. Copy the OTP.

   3. Paste the OTP into the **Authentication** field in your browser.

   4. Click **Sign On**.

      ![A screen capture of the Authentication window requesting the one-time passcode with the Sign On or Change Device option.](_images/ods1634207821639.png)

      ### Result:

      The green checkmark appears indicating your successful authentication. Your browser redirects to the portal or app you need to access.

## Related links

* [Authenticating using PingID desktop app](pid_ug_auth_using_desktop_intro.html)