SMS/Voice setup
You’ll first need to set up your phone number to receive codes via SMS text message or voice call. If you have a smartphone, you can later download an app that allows you to generate codes without text messages and even without cell service.
In order to receive codes, you must use a mobile carrier that supports text or automated voice messages from Google. 
Standard messaging rates will apply.
To set up 2-step verification:
- Sign in to your Google Account and go to the 2-step verification settings page.
- From the drop-down menu, select the country where your phone is registered, and enter your phone number in the box.
- Choose whether you’d like to receive your codes by text or by voice call. You can always change this later.
- Enter your phone number, then click Send verification code to receive a code on your phone. We recommend you use a mobile phone number as opposed to a landline or Google Voice number.
- Enter the code from the text or voice message into the box, then click Verify.
- Next you’ll be asked whether you want to trust the computer you are using. If you check the box, you won’t need to enter a code to sign on with this computer again. Don’t check this box if you are using a public computer or a device that you don’t regularly use to sign in.
- Click Turn on 2-step verification to finish the process! You’ll be automatically taken to your account settings page.
If you set up 2-step verification using SMS text message or Voice call and also want to be able to generate codes using the Android, iPhone or a Blackberry, you can use the Google Authenticator app to receive codes even if you don’t have an Internet connection or mobile service.
To set this up, first you need to complete the SMS/Voice setup. Then, go to the 2-step verification settings page and click on Android, Blackberry, or iPhone, then follow the directions for your type of phone explained below.
If you want to turn on 2-step verification and own a smartphone, we recommend you use the Google Authenticator app -- a mobile application available on Android devices, iPhones, and BlackBerry devices -- to generate verification codes. The application doesn't require an Internet connection, mobile service, or a data plan to generate verification codes.
Android devicesRequirements
To use Google Authenticator on your Android device, you must have version 1.5 or later.
Downloading the app
- Visit Google Play.
- Search for Google Authenticator.
- Download and install the application.
Setting up the app
- If you haven’t already, complete the SMS/Voice setup and enroll your account in 2-step verification using your phone number. You can add the Google Authenticator app only after you’ve already enrolled using your phone number.
- On your computer, go to the 2-step verification settings page and click on Android.
- On your phone, open the Google Authenticator application.
- Press the plus icon.
- To link your phone to your account:
- Using QR code: Select Scan account barcode (label 1a). If the Authenticator app cannot locate a barcode scanner app on your phone, you might be prompted to download and install one. If you want to install a barcode scanner app so you can complete the setup process, press Install (label 2a) then go through the installation process. Once the app is installed, reopen Google Authenticator, point your camera at the QR code on your computer screen.
- Using secret key: Select Manually add account (label 1b), then enter the email address of your Google Account in the box next to Enter account name (label 2b). Next, enter the secret key on your computer screen into the box under Enter key (label 2c). Make sure you've chosen to make the key Time based (label 2d) and press "Save."
- To test that the application is working, enter the verification code on your phone (label 3) into the box on your computer next to Code, then click "Verify."
- If your code is correct, you will see a confirmation message. Click "Save" to continue the setup process. If your code is incorrect, try generating a new verification code on your phone, then entering it on your computer. If you’re still having trouble, you might want to verify that the time on your phone is correct
or read about common issues.
Requirements
To use Google Authenticator on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, you must have iOS 3.1.3 or later. In addition, in order to set up the app on your iPhone using a QR code, you must have a 3G model or later.
Downloading the app
- Visit the App Store.
- Search for Google Authenticator.
- Download and install the application.
Setting up the app
- If you haven’t already, complete the SMS/Voice setup and enroll your account in 2-step verification using your phone number. You can add the Google Authenticator app only after you’ve already enrolled using your phone number.
- On your computer, go to the 2-step verification settings page and click on iPhone.
- On your phone, open the Google Authenticator application.
- Tap the plus icon.
- Tap Time Based (label 1).
- To link your phone to your account:
- Using QR code: Tap "Scan Barcode" (label 2a) and then point your camera at the QR code on your computer screen.
- Using secret key: In the box next to Account (label 2b), enter the email address of your Google Account. Then, enter the secret key on your computer screen into the box next to Key (label 2c) and tap "Done" (label 2d).
- To test that the application is working, enter the verification code on your phone (label 3) into the box on your computer next to Code, then click "Verify." The clock icon on your phone (label 4) will let you know how much time is left before the verification code expires and a new one is generated.
- If your code is correct, you will see a confirmation message. Click "Save" to confirm. If your code is incorrect, try generating a new verification code on your phone, then entering it on your computer.. If you’re still having trouble, you might want to verify that the time on your phone is correct or read about common issues.
Requirements
To use Google Authenticator on your BlackBerry device, you must have OS 4.5-6.0. In addition, make sure your BlackBerry device is configured for US English -- you might not be able to download Google Authenticator if your device is operating in another language.
Downloading the app
You'll need Internet access on your BlackBerry to download Google Authenticator.
- Open the web browser on your BlackBerry.
- Visit
- Download and install the application.
Setting up the app
- If you haven’t already, complete the SMS/Voice setup and enroll your account in 2-step verification using your phone number. You can add the Google Authenticator app only after you’ve already enrolled using your phone number.
- On your computer, go to the 2-step verification settings page and click on Blackberry.
- To link your phone to your account, open the Authenticator app menu and select Manual key entry (label 1).
- Enter the email address of your Google Account below "Enter account name" (label 2).
- Enter the secret key on your computer screen next to "Enter key" (label 3), select Time based from the drop-down menu (label 4) and press Save (label 5).
- To test that the application is working, enter the verification code on your phone (label 5) into the box on your computer next to Code, then click "Verify."
- If your code is correct, you will see a confirmation message. Click "Save" to continue the setup process. If your code is incorrect, try generating a new verification code on your phone, then entering it on your computer. If you’re still having trouble, you might want to verify that the time on your phone is correct or read about common issues.
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