How to fix reauthentication_needed: Reauthentication required for security-sensitive actions in Supabase

SupabaseINTERMEDIATEHIGH

Supabase requires reauthentication before allowing users to change their password or email address. This security measure prevents unauthorized account modifications when the Secure password change or Secure email change options are enabled.

What this error means

Supabase Auth enforces reauthentication for sensitive operations to protect user accounts from unauthorized changes. When you attempt to update a user's password or email and the Secure password change or Secure email change settings are enabled, the system requires the user to verify their identity first. This happens when a user's session is older than 24 hours or when these security features are configured. The error occurs because Supabase doesn't allow these critical changes without confirming the user's identity.

How to fix "reauthentication_needed: Reauthentication required for security-sensitive actions"

1Call reauthenticate() to send an OTP

First, send a reauthentication challenge to the user. This will send an OTP (one-time password) to their confirmed email or phone number:

javascript

const { data, error } = await supabase.auth.reauthenticate();

This sends a nonce to the user's email address. If they don't have a confirmed email, it goes to their confirmed phone number instead.

2User receives and enters the OTP

The user will receive an email with a 6-digit OTP code (also called a nonce). They need to enter this code into your application's reauthentication form.

3Call updateUser() with the nonce parameter

After the user provides the OTP, use it as the nonce parameter when updating the password or email:

javascript

const { data: result, error } = await supabase.auth.updateUser({
  password: newPassword,
  nonce: otpFromEmail,
});

For email changes, include the nonce similarly:

javascript

const { data: result, error } = await supabase.auth.updateUser({
  email: newEmail,
  nonce: otpFromEmail,
});

4Verify the operation succeeded

Check for errors after the updateUser() call. If successful, the user's password or email has been updated:

javascript

if (error) {
  console.error('Update failed:', error.message);
} else {
  console.log('Update successful');
  // User is now logged out - they need to sign in again
}

Note that after a password change, the user is automatically logged out and must sign in again with the new password.

5Implement a complete reauthentication flow

For a production application, create a dedicated reauthentication modal or page:

typescript

// Step 1: Initiate reauthentication
async function startReauth() {
  const { error } = await supabase.auth.reauthenticate();
  if (error) console.error('Reauthentication failed:', error);
  // Show OTP input form to user
}

// Step 2: Submit OTP and update password
async function confirmReauthAndUpdatePassword(otp: string, newPassword: string) {
  const { data, error } = await supabase.auth.updateUser({
    password: newPassword,
    nonce: otp,
  });
  if (error) console.error('Password update failed:', error);
  else {
    console.log('Password updated. User must sign in again.');
    // Redirect to login page
  }
}

How to fix reauthentication_needed: Reauthentication required for security-sensitive actions in Supabase

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How to fix "reauthentication_needed: Reauthentication required for security-sensitive actions"

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