Turn on 2-Step Verification for your Google Workspace account

Turn on 2-Step Verification in your Google Account at myaccount.google.com, so signing in needs your password plus a second step on your phone.

Turn it on (staff)

1. Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with your work email.
2. Select Security & sign-in.
3. Under How you sign in to Google, select Turn on 2-Step Verification.
4. Follow the steps on screen. Choose Google prompts (tap Yes on your phone) or an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator.
5. Back on the 2-Step Verification page, under Backup codes select Continue, then Get backup codes. Print or download the 10 codes and keep them somewhere safe. Each code works once.

Google prompts work best when your work account is signed in on your phone. See set up Gmail on your phone. Outlook users sign in through Google, see Google Workspace in Outlook.

Why you should not ignore the reminders

When your company enforces 2-Step Verification, you see reminders each time you sign in. Miss the enforcement date and you may be unable to sign in until your admin gives you a backup code. If you forgot your password as well, see forgot your Google Workspace password.

For admins

1. In the Admin console, go to Security > Authentication > 2-step verification.
2. Tick Allow users to turn on 2-Step Verification.
3. Under Enforcement, choose On or Turn on enforcement from date. Set a New user enrollment period for new staff.

To help a locked-out user, go to Directory > Users, select the user, then Security > 2-step verification > Get Backup Verification Codes. Send them one code. This option only appears if 2-Step Verification is enforced for your company or the user had already turned it on.

Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at +60 16-916 3324.

Common issues

Why am I locked out after my company turned on 2-Step Verification?

Your admin may have enforced 2-Step Verification before you set it up. Ask your company admin for a backup code to sign in, then set it up straight away.

I lost my phone. How do I sign in?

Use one of your saved backup codes. If you have none, your admin can get a backup code for you from the Admin console.

Can I use SMS instead of the Google prompt?

Yes, if your admin allows it. Google prompts or an authenticator app are more secure, so use those when you can.

Related articles

• Forgot your Google Workspace password? How to get back in
• Reset a staff member's Google Workspace password in the Admin console
• Sign in to Google Workspace for the first time