Enable 2-Step Verification for Google (2024)

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Google - 2SV Main

Google 2-Step Verification

It's easier than you think for someone to steal your password. You are at increased risk if you use the same password on more than one site, you download software from the internet or you click links in email messages.

2-Step Verification can help keep bad guys out, even if they have your password. It is used to increase security by requiring you to provide "something you know" (a password) with "something you have" (a mobile phone).

How It Works

Whenever you sign in to Google, you'll enter your password as usual. Then, a code will be sent to your phone via text, voice call, or Google's mobile app. To keep things simple, during sign-in you can chose to not use 2-Step Verification again on that particular computer. From then on, that computer will only ask for your password when you sign in. When you or anyone else tries to sign in to your account from another computer, 2-Step Verification will be required.

If Your Phone Is Lost or Stolen

If you no longer have access to your phone, Google has outlined steps to regain access to your account at this site https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185834. You can use any of the backup options, sign in from a previously trusted computer, get a new phone from your carrier with the same phone number or fill in the Account Recovery form.

2. Google - 2SV Turn ON

Enable 2-Step VerificationYou will need to be at your computer with your smartphone nearby.

On Your Computer

1. Using your web browser, visit https://myaccount.google.com/security/signinoptions/two-step-verification.
2. Sign-in with your GMail address and password.
   

1. Enter or select your phone number, then select Next.
   

On Your Smartphone

1. Open your texting app, and view the message Google just sent you. It will have a special verification code for you, for the next step.
   

On Your Computer

1. Enter the code you just received on your phone, then select Next.
   

1. Select Turn On to enable 2-Step Verification.
   

1. You'll be shown your 2-Step Verification options, with a note at the top letting you know 2-Step Verification is ON.
   

3. Google - 2SV Enable Backup Options?

Enabling Additional Second Steps

1. Review your settings on the 2-Step Verification settings page.
2. You should set up at least one backup option so that you can sign in even if your other second steps aren't available.
3. Choose an option or stop if you are done.
4. The next time you sign in, you'll receive a text message with a verification code.

Backup Options:

4. Google - 2SV Resolved

Google 2-Step Verification Setup Complete!

2-Step Verification is now set up and your Google account now has added security. While this doesn't mean your account is completely immune to hacks, it will help safeguard it much more than a simple password would against attacks.

5. Google - 2SV Backup Codes

Google 2-Step Verification Backup Codes

1. Under Backup Codes, click SET UP.
   

1. If prompted, sign in to your account.
   

1. You may be prompted for a 2-Step Verification code. Fulfill the request and hit NEXT.
2. You may be brought back to the 2-Step Verification settings page. Under Backup Codes, click SET UP again.
   

1. Backup codes will be generated. These are one-time use passwords that can be used in case you lose access to your other 2SV methods.
   

1. Click DOWNLOAD to save the codes in a text file (Backup-codes-[emailaddress].txt).
   

1. Store this text file in a safe but accessible place.
2. You can select Print if you have a printer and want a physical copy.
3. Click CLOSE when done.

6. Google - 2SV More?

You can return to your Google account security page at any time to setup additional 2-Step Verification methods, or make other changes to your account security by visiting https://g.co/2sv in your browser.

7. Google - 2SV Google Prompt

Google Prompt SetupThe Google Prompt is often considered the easiest 2-Step Verification method.

When you access your Google account, a simple prompt will appear on your smartphone. You can choose Yes or No, to allow access from that device.

You will need to be at your computer with your smartphone nearby.

1. Under Google Prompt, select Add Phone.
   

1. If prompted, sign in to your account.
   

1. You may be prompted for a 2-Step Verification code. Fulfill the request and select Next.
2. You may be brought back to the 2-Step Verification settings page. Under Google Prompt, select Add Phone.
   

1. Select Get Started.
   

1. Locate your phone and click NEXT. If your phone was not detected then choose either Set up your Android phone or Set up your iPhone (5S or later).
   

8. Google - 2SV Android Google Prompt Setup

Google Prompt Setup for Android

On Your Computer

1. You'll be given a brief overview of the process.
   

On Your Android Smartphone

1. Open Settings on your phone.
   

1. Select Accounts.
   

1. Select Add account.
   

1. Select Google.
   

1. Enter your Gmail account address and then select Next.
   

1. Enter your Gmail password then select Next.
   

1. You may receive a 2-Step Verification code for this sign in, just as you will for every sign in on your Google account. Enter the code you receive, then select Next.
   

1. Read carefully, then agree to the Terms and Conditions to continue.
   

On Your Computer

1. Your phone should be listed now. Select Next.
   

1. You'll be asked to check for the prompt on your phone.
   

On Your Android Smartphone

1. Your Android phone will ask to verify you're trying to log in with your computer. Select Yes.
   

On Your Computer

1. Your computer will confirm everything is setup properly. Select Done.
   

9. Google - 2SV iPhone Google Prompt Setup

Google Prompt Setup for iOS

On Your Computer

1. You'll be given a brief overview of the process.
   

On Your iPhone

1. Open the App Store.
   

1. Select Search in the bottom right corner.
   

1. Type in Google for your search, then select Get for the Google app.
   

1. Select Open.
   

1. Select the person silhouette in the top-right corner.
   

1. Select Sign in.
   

1. The Google App will request permission to sign in, select Continue.
   

1. Enter your Gmail account address and then select Next.
   

1. Enter your Gmail password then select Next.
   

1. You may receive a 2-Step Verification code for this sign in, just as you will for every sign in on your Google account. Enter the code you receive, then select Next.
   

1. Read carefully, then agree to the Terms and Conditions to continue.
   

On Your Computer

1. Your phone should be listed now. Select Next.
   

1. You'll be asked to check for the prompt on your phone.
   

On Your iPhone

1. Your iPhone will ask to verify you're trying to log in with your computer. Select Yes.
   

On Your Computer

1. Your computer will confirm everything is setup properly. Select Done.
   

10. Google - 2SV Authenticator App

Google 2-Step Verification Authenticator AppThe Google Authenticator is a small app you can install on your smartphone to provide a single-use code you can use to sign-in to your Google account, similar to the code that is text-messaged to you, but instead it is available without having to wait for a text to arrive. Especially useful if your data or cell service is a bit slow or hit-or-miss near your computer.

You will need to be at your computer with your smartphone nearby to set this option up.

1. Select Setup under Authenticator App.
   

1. Select what kind of phone you have, then select Next.
   

11. Android: Install Google Authenticator

1. Launch the Play Store on your smartphone.
   

1. Select the search bar at the top.
   

1. Type in Google Authenticator, then select Google Authenticatorfrom the list.
   

1. Select Install.
   

1. Select Open to open the app.
   

12. Google - 2SV Android Authenticator Setup

Setting up Google Authenticator on Android

On Your Computer

1. Make sure you select Android, then Next.
   

1. Your computer will display a QR code to scan with your phone.
   

On Your Android Phone

1. Open Google Authenticator.
   

1. Select Begin.
   

1. A short tutorial will show you how you'll sign in using Google Authenticator. Select the Right arrow > at the bottom to review these pages, then select Done.
   

2. Select Scan a barcode.
   

1. Authenticator will ask for permission to use your camera. Select Allow.
   

1. Point your phone's camera at your computer screen, centering the QR barcode in the red lines.
   

1. A 6-digit code will be displayed on your Android phone that changes every 60 seconds or so.
   

On Your Computer

1. Select Next.
   

1. Enter the 6-digit code you see on your phone, then select Verify.
   

1. You may be prompted for your password to verify. Enter your password, then select Next.
   

1. You'll get conformation the Authenticator is setup properly. Select Done.
   

1. You'll see that Authenticator app will be listed as your default method of verification.
   

13. iOS: Install Google Authenticator

1. Open the App Store.
   

1. Select Search in the bottom right corner.
   

1. Type in Google Authenticator, and select Google Authenticatorfrom the list.
   

1. Select Get for Google Authenticator.
   

1. Select Open.

14. Google - 2SV iPhone Authenticator Setup

Setting up Google Authenticator on Android

On Your Computer

1. Make sure you select iPhone, then select Next.
   

1. Your computer will display a QR code to scan with your phone.
   

On Your Android Phone

1. Open Google Authenticator.
   

1. Select Begin Setup.
   

1. Select Scan barcode.
   

1. Authenticator will ask for permission to use your camera. Select OK.
   

1. Point your phone's camera at your computer screen, centering the QR barcode in the red lines.
   

1. A 6-digit code will be displayed on your Android phone that changes every 60 seconds or so.
   

On Your Computer

1. Select Next.
   

1. Enter the 6-digit code you see on your phone, then select Verify.
   

1. You may be prompted for your password to verify. Enter your password, then select Next.
   

1. You'll get conformation the Authenticator is setup properly. Select Done.
   

1. You'll see that Authenticator app will be listed as your default method of verification.
   

15. Google - 2SV Backup Phone

Google 2-Step Verification Additional Phones

1. Under Voice or text message, click ADD PHONE.
   

1. If prompted, sign in to your account.
   

1. You may be prompted for a 2-Step Verification code. Fulfill the request and hit NEXT.
2. You will be brought to the phone setup screen.
   

1. Pick your country in the drop down box.
2. Fill in your phone number in the space provided.
3. Choose Text message.
4. Click DONE.
5. You will now see an additional mobile phone in the 2-Step Verification settings screen under Voice or text message. The new number however will show up as Not verified.
   

1. In order to verify the phone, click the Edit symbol.
   

1. Click VERIFY.
   

1. Click NEXT.
   

1. A text message will be sent to your phone with a 6-digit verification code.
   

1. Enter the code in the space provided. If you didn't get one, click Resend.
   

1. Click DONE.
2. On the 2-Step Verification settings page, the phone you just added will show Verified.