Mobile login & first-time setup

This guide covers: Install the app, Log in, Enable Face ID / Touch ID, Two-factor authentication, and Complete onboarding (personal info, address, federal W-4, state withholding, direct deposit, review).

Install the app

What it does: Gets the Payrollix Employee app onto your iPhone or iPad.

Where: Apple App Store → search for Payrollix.

Steps:

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Search Payrollix. Tap Get to install.
3. Tap Open when the install finishes.
4. The app shows a purple gradient header with the Payrollix logo and the subtitle Employee Portal (or Client Portal if you toggle the role switch).

Who: Any employee whose employer uses Payrollix.

Notes: The app is iOS only today — there is no Android build in the App Store. If you have an Android phone, use the web portal at /employee-portal from your mobile browser instead.

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Log in

What it does: Signs you in with the email and password your employer used to set up your account.

Where: App → Login screen (/(auth)/login).

Steps:

1. Open the app. Make sure the Employee segmented toggle at the top of the form card is selected (not Client).
2. Type your work email in Email and your password in Password.
3. Tap Sign In.
4. On success the app drops you on the Home tab (/(tabs)). The first time you sign in and onboarding is incomplete, you are routed into the onboarding flow instead.

Who: Any employee.

Notes: If your password is wrong the app shows a Login Failed alert. Tap Forgot password? above the Sign In button to start a reset — the app calls /api/employee-portal/forgot-password and shows a Check your email confirmation regardless of whether the address exists (so attackers can't enumerate accounts).

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Enable Face ID / Touch ID

What it does: Lets you sign in with biometrics next time instead of typing your password.

Where: Right after your first successful login → Enable Face ID? sheet modal. Or any time from Profile tab → Account → Face ID Login toggle.

Steps:

1. After the first successful sign-in, the app pops a centered modal: Enable Face ID? (or Touch ID on older devices). Tap Enable.
2. iOS shows its system Face ID prompt. Look at the device to enroll.
3. The app confirms with Face ID login has been enabled.
4. Next time you open the app, the Sign In with Face ID button appears below the OR divider. Tap it to sign in without typing your password.

Who: Any employee on a Face ID- or Touch ID-equipped iPhone/iPad.

Notes: iOS only. The biometric type is detected automatically — the button reads Face ID on FaceID phones and Touch ID on TouchID phones. To turn it off later, go to the Profile tab → toggle off Face ID Login and confirm. Some sensitive actions (changing direct deposit, updating your W-4) require a biometric step-up confirmation even when you are already signed in.

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Two-factor authentication

What it does: Asks for a 6-digit code from your authenticator app after you enter your password.

Where: App → Verification code screen (/(auth)/2fa), triggered automatically if your account has TOTP enabled.

Steps:

1. After tapping Sign In, if your account has TOTP enabled the app routes you to the Verification code screen.
2. Open your authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password, etc.) and find the Payrollix entry.
3. Type the 6-digit code into the field. The keypad is a number pad.
4. Tap Verify. On success you land on the Home tab.

Who: Any employee whose account requires 2FA.

Notes: Employee/client TOTP enforcement is being rolled out — if your employer has not turned it on yet, you'll skip this screen and land on Home directly. If the screen ever shows Two-factor not available yet, tap OK and you'll be sent back to the login screen.

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Complete onboarding (6 steps)

What it does: Collects the personal, tax, and bank info Payrollix needs to pay you and file your taxes correctly. Runs the first time you sign in and is required before your first payroll.

Where: Onboarding flow at /(onboarding)/personal-info → address → federal-w4 → state-withholding → direct-deposit → review. The header shows Step X of 6 and a progress bar that fills as you go.

Steps:

1. Step 1 — Personal Information (personal-info.tsx). Fields: First Name · Last Name · Date of Birth (YYYY-MM-DD) · Social Security Number (masked as you type, format XXX-XX-XXXX) · Phone Number (optional). Tap Next.
2. Step 2 — Home Address (address.tsx). Fields: Street Address · City · State (2-letter code, e.g. CA) · ZIP Code. Tap Next.
3. Step 3 — Federal W-4 (federal-w4.tsx). Pick a Filing Status radio (Single, Married filing jointly, or Head of household). Toggle Multiple jobs or spouse works if it applies. Enter the optional Adjustments fields: Dependents Amount, Other Income, Deductions, Additional Withholding. Tap Next.
4. Step 4 — State Tax (state-withholding.tsx). If you live in a state with no income tax (AK, FL, NV, NH, SD, TN, TX, WA, WY) the app shows a green does not have a state income tax banner — just tap Next. Otherwise fill State Filing Status, State Allowances (if your state uses them), and Additional State Withholding. You can tap Skip to defer.
5. Step 5 — Direct Deposit (direct-deposit.tsx). Either toggle Skip for now (you can add a bank account later from the Pay tab), or enter Bank Name, pick Account Type (Checking / Savings), Routing Number (9 digits), and Account Number (up to 17 digits). Tap Next.
6. Step 6 — Review & Confirm (review.tsx). The app shows a card for each section you just completed (Personal Information, Address, Federal W-4, State, Direct Deposit). Read each card. Toggle the yellow I confirm that the information provided above is accurate and complete switch — this also opts you into electronic W-2 delivery. Tap Complete Onboarding. The app shows Welcome! Onboarding complete! and drops you on the Home tab.

Who: Newly hired employees the first time they sign in.

Notes: Each step calls /api/employee-portal/onboarding/<step> and saves immediately, so you can quit and return — your work persists. Your SSN is encrypted before it leaves the phone. If you skip direct deposit in Step 5, you'll still get paid (paper check or whatever default your employer has) until you add an account later from Profile → Direct Deposit.

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Related: Login & 2FA on the web · Accept an invitation · Mobile profile, W-4 & password.