Using two-factor authentication ensures that you (and only you) have access to your Google Account.
In our increasingly digital world, maximizing the security of your online accounts is one of the most important things you can do, whether or not you own one of the most secure Android phones.
A strong password is a good start, but if you want to take it to the next level, you’ll need to use two-factor authentication. This adds another layer of privacy to your account, in addition to your password, you’re usually required to enter a random code every time you log into your account.
Your Google Account is probably one of the most important accounts you have, and thankfully setting up two-factor authentication for it is quick and easy, and it can be done in a few different ways. We’ll walk you through it all and show you how to enable 2FA on your Google account.
How to Set Up Google Prompt Two-Factor Authentication
Google allows you to use several two-factor authentication methods, but the default (and easiest) is Google Prompt. When you sign in to your Google Account on an unknown device, you’ll be prompted on your signed-in phone or tablet. Click the prompt to confirm that you are trying to log in, and you will be able to log in.
This is the two-factor method recommended by Google, and this is what the setup process looks like.
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Sign in to your Google Account myaccount.google.com on your computer.
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click Safety tabs on the left.
- click 2-step verification.
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click start using.
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enter your google password Confirm it’s you.
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click try it now
- tap Yes In the Google popup displayed on your phone/tablet.
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Confirm your phone number as a backup option in case the Google prompt doesn’t work.
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Enter the code texted to your number and click Next.
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click Open Enable two-factor authentication.
After doing all this, you can now do two-factor authentication on your Google account.
When logging into a trusted device, you’ll just enter your password as usual, but if you have a new phone or are trying to log in on a public computer, have your phone ready to confirm the Google prompt.
How to Set Up Google Authenticator Two-Factor Authentication
While the default Google Prompt is probably the best choice for most people, you can also set up two-factor authentication using Google’s Authenticator app. This is a free app to generate random codes for your two-factor login, and with your Google account, it can be used with any other app/website that supports two-factor apps.
Eager to start using this? Here’s what you need to do.
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exist 2-step verification the page we just visited, scroll down and click set up under Authenticator app.
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Select the phone you own and click Next (We use Android in this example).
For the next part, we’ll be moving from the desktop to our Android phone.
- Open Google Play Store.
- search “Google Authenticator.”
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tap Install.
- Open the app and tap start using.
- tap jump over in the lower left corner.
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tap Scan QR code.
- tap allow Grant camera access.
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Scan barcodes.
Finally, we go back to your computer to do all the work.
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click Next.
- enter code Displayed on the Google Authenticator app on your phone.
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click verify.
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click complete.
That’s it!
Just like that, you’ve set up two-factor authentication on your Google Account. Congratulations!
You can’t go wrong with either Google Prompt or Google Authenticator, so feel free to choose whichever works best for you. If you have many other apps/websites that also have two factors set up, Google Authenticator might be a better choice as it acts as a central place for all your codes.
I personally use Google Tips because it offers a little extra speed and convenience, which is great if you log in and out of your account a lot. It’s a matter of personal preference, so feel free to choose whichever you prefer. However, if you’re already using one of the best password managers, some of those services, like 1Password and LastPass, can also provide two-factor authentication codes for your account.
Update February 2022: These are still the exact steps to set up 2FA.
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