How to Enable 2FA on Google

Here’s a step-by-step guide to enabling two-factor authentication (or two-step verification) on your Google Account, along with instructions on how to use it once set up. This feature strengthens your account’s security by adding an extra step when logging in. This will prevent an imposter from logging in to your account even if they’ve stolen your username and password.

Step 1: Enable Two-Step Authentication

To enable two-step verification on your Google Account, follow these steps:

• Sign in to your Google Account
  • Go to myaccount.google.com and enter your username (email address or phone number) and password.
• Go to Security Settings
  • Once logged in, click on your profile picture or initial in the top right corner, then select Manage your Google Account.
    
    
• Navigate to the Security section
  • In the menu on the left, click Security.
    
• Find Two-Step Verification
  • Scroll down to the How to sign in to Google section, then click 2-Step Verification is off.
    
• Start setup
  • If you already entered your phone number when creating your account, click directly on Turn on 2-Step Verification, otherwise click on Add phone number, and add your mobile number.
    
• Complete activation
  • You will receive confirmation that two-step verification is now active on your account. Click Done.
    
• Create your backup codes.
  • The next screen confirms that your account is protected and presents you with additional options for the second step. Click Get backup codes.
    
  • On the next page, click Get backup codes.
    
• Download your backup codes.
  • Click Download codes. Copy them onto a secure device, print them, and keep them in a safe place. They will allow you to log in if you lose access to your phone or your primary method.
    

Step 2: Use Two-Step Authentication

Once enabled, here’s how two-step verification works when you log in:

• Log in as usual
  • Go to a Google login page (e.g., gmail.com) and enter your username and password as usual.
• Provide the secondary verification code
  • After entering your password, Google will ask for a confirmation of your phone number:
    
  • You will receive a code via SMS or a call to the registered number.
  • Enter this code on the login page.
    
• Log in to your account
  • If the code is correct, you will be logged in to your Google account.
• New Devices or Browsers
  • Each time you log in from a new device or browser, this two-step verification process will be required, which increases security in the event of a suspicious access attempt.

Updating Methods

Regularly check that your phone number is up to date in your security settings.