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Volt Auth Account Center: User Guide

Welcome to Your Security Dashboard

The Volt Auth Account Center is your dedicated hub for managing the security of your Volt Europa services account. This application manages your sign-in settings for all services protected by Volt Auth, which is the official identity system for Volt Europa.

FYI: Volt Auth is powered by the open-source solution Logto. You may see the name Logto referenced in system communications.

The purpose of Volt Auth is to gradually replace the "Sign in with Google" method, ensuring access control for all members, including those without a Google Workspace (volteuropa.org) account.

Volt Auth currently protects critical services like:
  • Haiilo
  • CiviCRM
  • Campa! App
  • Motion Tools (aka Antragsgrün)

You used this system to set your initial password and set up your first security method (either an Authenticator App or a Passkey) when you created your account.

What You Can Do Here

This center gives you full control over how you sign in, allowing you to strengthen your security by adding backup methods, changing your password, and managing your current security settings.

We're Here to Help: Security issues can be confusing, and you don't need to be completely locked out to reach out. If you're stuck or unsure about anything, we're happy to assist you. Contact the EUR Tech Helpdesk at help@volteuropa.org

Your Primary Identity

Which Email to Use

Quick Guide

Do you have a @volteuropa.org email address?

  • ✅ YES → Use your @volteuropa.org address to sign in
  • ❌ NO → Use your personal email address (the one in our membership database)

Your account is identified by your full email address. Always use this same address when signing in.

📧 Volt Europa Domain Account (@volteuropa.org)

If you have been issued an official @volteuropa.org email address, you must use it for all Volt Auth sign-ins. You cannot use your private email address if you have an official address.

Want to switch? If you wish to use your private email address exclusively and have your @volteuropa.org account permanently deleted (including mail, Drive, Calendar, Groups, etc.), contact the EUR Tech Helpdesk at help@volteuropa.org.

📧 External Domain Account (Personal Email)

If you don't have a @volteuropa.org address, use your personal email address that's on file with the Volt membership database—typically the email you provided when you signed up for membership (e.g., @gmail.com, @tuta.com, @proton.me, @mailbox.org, @posteo.de, etc.).

🔐 Important for @volteuropa.org Users

Volt Auth is an independent security system, separate from your Google Workspace account.

Key Differences:

  • Separate Passwords: Your Volt Auth password may differ from your Google Workspace password.
  • Separate 2FA: Authentication methods (Authenticator App or Passkeys) configured here only apply to Volt Auth services, not to your Google Workspace account.

Remember: All changes made here are instantly applied across every Volt service you use.

Getting Started

🚀 Signing In

  1. Navigate to the Volt Auth Account Center at the URL: https://auth.volteuropa.org/settings/
  2. Click the "Sign In" button.
  3. Enter your standard Volt credentials (your full email address and password) when prompted. Be sure to use the correct email as defined in "Your Primary Identity" above.
  4. Once signed in, you will see your profile information and your current authentication methods listed.

⏱️ Understanding Your Session

For your protection, your session has an automatic session timeout.

Session Timing: Your session remains active while you are using the app. After 13 minutes of inactivity, a warning message will appear notifying you that you will be signed out in 2 minutes. Click "Stay signed in" to easily extend your session, or simply let the countdown expire for an automatic, secure sign-out.

Adding Security Methods

Why 2FA Matters

Two-factor authentication adds a critical extra layer of security. After entering your password, 2FA requires a second verification step, ensuring your account remains safe even if your password is stolen.

You already have at least one method configured from when you created your account. This section shows you how to add additional methods or replace existing ones.

📱 Setting Up a New or Replacing an Authenticator App (TOTP)

If you want to replace your existing authenticator (e.g., lost your phone) or you chose a Passkey as your initial method and now want to add an authenticator app.

Note: You can only have one authenticator app configured at a time. If you already have one, using this process will automatically reset and replace it.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. In the authentication methods section, click "Set up Authenticator App". (If you have an existing app, first click the Reset button (🔄) next to it, confirm the action, and verify with your password to open the setup wizard.)
  2. A QR code will be displayed on the screen.
  3. Open your authenticator app on your phone or computer (recommended apps: Ente Auth, Proton Authenticator, or Bitwarden Authenticator).
  4. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app.
  5. If you cannot scan the code, click "Can't scan? Use manual entry" and copy the secret key provided, then paste it into your authenticator app.
  6. Enter the current 6-digit code shown in your authenticator app into the Account Center.
  7. Click "Verify & Enable" to complete the setup.

🔑 Adding a Passkey

If you initially chose an Authenticator App and want to add a Passkey for faster, passwordless sign-in, or if you want to add an additional Passkey for another device.

What are Passkeys? Passkeys provide secure authentication using cryptographic keys. They're faster than typing codes and more secure than passwords alone.

Type of Passkey Description
Platform Authenticators Passkeys built into your device (e.g., Windows Hello, Touch ID, Face ID, Android biometrics). Only works on that device.
Hardware Security Keys Portable keys (e.g., Yubikey or Nitrokey) that work across multiple computers via USB, NFC, or Bluetooth.
Cloud-Synced Passkeys Keys managed by password managers or platform services that sync automatically across your devices (e.g., Vaultwarden, Proton Pass, iCloud Keychain, Google Password Manager).

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. In the authentication methods section, click "Add a Passkey".
  2. Enter a descriptive name for the passkey (e.g., "Work Laptop" or "My iPhone").
  3. Click "Create Passkey".
  4. Your browser or device will immediately prompt you to authenticate. Follow the on-screen instructions (e.g., using your fingerprint, Face ID, or inserting a security key).
  5. Once created, the passkey will be listed in your methods.

Tip: Add multiple Passkeys for different devices, or ensure you have an Authenticator App set up as a backup method.

🔢 Managing Backup Codes

Backup codes are essential! They are one-time use codes that serve as a last resort to let you sign in if you ever lose access to all your other authentication methods (like losing your phone or security key).

Creating Backup Codes:

  1. Click the Create button (➕) next to "Backup Codes."
  2. Enter your password to confirm and generate the codes.
  3. Your backup codes will appear in a new window.
  4. Click "Copy All" to save them to your clipboard, or "Download" to save them as a text file.
  5. Securely store these codes (e.g., in a secure note, a password manager, or printed in a safe location).
  6. Click "Close". The Account Center will display how many codes you have remaining.

Regenerating Backup Codes:

  1. Click the Regenerate button (🔄) next to "Backup Codes."
  2. Confirm the action (this will immediately invalidate all your existing codes).
  3. New codes will be generated and displayed. Be sure to save the new set securely.

Editing & Removing Methods

✏️ Renaming Passkeys

  1. Click the Pencil icon (✏️) next to the Passkey you wish to rename.
  2. Enter a new, descriptive name.
  3. Press Enter or click outside the dialog to save the change.

Note: Authenticator Apps cannot be renamed. We recommend using one single authenticator app for all your accounts (both Volt and non-Volt services), such as Ente Auth, Proton Authenticator, or Bitwarden Authenticator.

🗑️ Removing Methods

Important: For your security, you cannot remove your last active authentication method. You must keep at least one 2FA method configured at all times.

  1. Click the Delete button (🗑️) next to the method you want to remove.
  2. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
  3. Enter your password to verify the action.
  4. The method will be removed immediately.

↻ Refreshing Your Methods

If you've made changes from another device or browser, click the Refresh button (↻) at the top of the authentication methods section to reload your current settings.

Changing Your Password

🔒 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Click "Change Password" in the password section. The form will expand.
  2. Enter your current password in the first field.
  3. Enter your new password in the second field.
  4. Re-enter your new password in the confirmation field.
  5. Click "Change Password" to submit.
  6. If successful, a confirmation message will appear. To cancel, click "Cancel".

Password Requirements: Your password must be at least 12 characters long and contain at least 3 of the following 4 character types: uppercase letters (A-Z), lowercase letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), or special symbols. Additionally, you will be prompted to choose a different password if your selection is found in known data breaches, ensuring you use a strong, unique, and safe password.

Recovery & Troubleshooting

🔓 Self-Service Password Recovery

Good News!

You have the ability to reset your password yourself. However, this process does not automatically reset your Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) methods.

Password Reset Steps:

  1. Navigate to the Volt Auth sign-in screen.
  2. Click "Sign In" and enter your full email address.
  3. Click "Forgot your password?" (This initiates the password reset).
  4. You will receive a 6-digit verification code via email. Enter this code when prompted.
  5. After the code is verified, you can set a new password.

Didn't receive the code? First, check your spam folder. If it's not there, the most likely reason is that the email address you entered doesn't exist in our database. This can happen if we have a different email address on file for you, or if your membership status hasn't been confirmed. Please contact the EUR Tech Helpdesk at help@volteuropa.org for assistance.

Post-Reset Sign-In: After setting a new password, when you attempt to sign in, you will still be prompted for a 2FA code. To successfully sign in, you must use one of the following methods:

  • A current TOTP code from your Authenticator App
  • Access to an active Passkey
  • One of your remaining Backup Codes

🆘 Emergency Full 2FA Reset

When You Need Helpdesk Assistance:

If you can't access any of your authentication methods—whether you've lost your Authenticator App, don't have any Passkeys set up, or never saved your Backup Codes—you won't be able to complete the sign-in process, even if you know your password.

In this situation, our helpdesk can perform a full 2FA reset to restore your access.

Contact the EUR Tech Helpdesk: help@volteuropa.org

🔧 Other Troubleshooting

Issue Solution
"Your session has expired" Your session timed out after 13 minutes of inactivity (plus a 2-minute warning). Simply sign in again to continue.
Can't scan the QR code Click "Can't scan? Use manual entry" below the QR code to find the secret key, and manually enter it into your authenticator app.
Error when adding or removing methods Ensure you entered your password correctly when prompted. If issues persist, try refreshing the page and signing in again.