Pi Network Launches New Two-Factor Authentication Process

On March 13, 2025, Pi Network introduced two-factor authentication, or 2FA, to ensure Pioneers’ accounts and Pi coins are safe. This feature is directly tied to moving Pi from the enclosed mining app to the Open Network mainnet blockchain. What is this feature, and how does it help with Pi migration? 

Two-factor authentication is an extra layer of security. For Pioneers on the mining blockchain, 2FA helps confirm that the Pi Wallet you’re sending your Pi to belongs to you. It does this by linking your account to a trusted email address only you control.

With this in mind, Pioneers must complete 2FA before their Pi can move to the Mainnet blockchain. This step protects your Pi and ensures it goes to the right place. Without 2FA, your migration might not finish, or you could lose access to your Pi later.

How to Set Up a Trusted Email for 2FA

To use 2FA, you need a trusted email address. Here’s how it works:

• If you already have a trusted email linked to your Pi account, you can use it to start 2FA.
• You'll need to add one if you don’t have one yet. The Pi mining app will ask you to do a “liveness check.” This is a quick step to prove you’re a real person and the email belongs to you.
• Only Pioneers who have passed KYC (Know Your Customer) verification, or at least tentative KYC, can now add a trusted email.

Your trusted email is super important because it is also used to recover your account if you forget your password or lose access. So, pick an email you own and can always get into. If you use a random email you don’t control, you won’t be able to finish 2FA or recover your account later. That could stop you from migrating your Pi or getting it back if something goes wrong.

How 2FA Works for Wallet Confirmation

Once your trusted email is set up, here’s what happens:

• After a mining session, you might see a prompt asking you to complete 2FA in the app. Pioneers will also get an email from “[email protected]” about it.
• You can also start 2FA yourself through the Mainnet Checklist in the app.
• In the 2FA screen, you’ll confirm your migration wallet (the one your Pi will go to).
• After that, you’ll get an email to verify everything. Follow the instructions to finish.

NOTE: Only trust emails from “[email protected].” Other emails could be scams trying to trick you into giving away your info.

What Happens If You Don’t Complete 2FA?

When you migrate your Pi to the Mainnet, there’s a 14-day waiting period before it’s final. During this time, your Pi is locked and can’t be used. This waiting period is there for safety reasons, like ensuring everything is correct before it’s permanent.

If you migrated your Pi in the last few weeks (but are still in the 14-day period) and haven’t done 2FA, your Pi might get sent back to the mining app. This is a safety feature to protect your account. Once you complete 2FA, your Pi will go back into the migration process, and you’ll get the same amount, or maybe a little more if you’ve mined extra since then.

If you finish 2FA before the 14-day period ends, your Pi won’t be returned, and the migration will continue as planned.

Details About Pi Returns

Here’s what you need to know if your Pi gets sent back:

• The 14-day waiting period is expected. It gives Pi Network time to double-check that your Pi is safe and going to the correct wallet.
• If your Pi is returned, it might appear in your “Unverified Balance” instead of your “Transferable Balance” in the app. Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean you’re losing Pi. The app just shows a rough estimate of your balance. When you migrate again after 2FA, you’ll get the full amount you had before or slightly more.
• Returns like this can lower the total amount of Pi in circulation for a little while. However, the supply will adjust as Pioneers finish 2FA and migrate again.

Why These Features Exist

Pi Network uses 2FA and the return process to keep your Pi safe. Blockchain transactions can’t be undone once they’re final, and your Pi Wallet is “noncustodial,” meaning you only control it, not Pi Network. These extra steps ensure your Pi ends up with you, not someone else.

What You Should Do Now

If you’ve completed all the steps on the Mainnet Checklist and are waiting for your Pi to migrate, here’s your action plan, as obtained from the protocol’s blog:

1. Add a trusted email if you haven’t already done so.
2. Watch for prompts in the app or emails from “[email protected]” to complete 2FA.
3. Finish 2FA as soon as you can to avoid delays or returns.

These steps will help ensure your Pi moves to the Mainnet blockchain smoothly and stays secure. It’s all about protecting what you’ve earned as a Pioneer.