One of the best ways to secure your Gmail account is with two-factor authentication. This article explains how to get this set up for your account and why it’s so important.

How to Turn on Gmail 2-Step Verification

Google makes this really easy. Here’s what to do to enable 2FA for Gmail from a desktop browser:

1. Sign in to your Gmail account and select your profile picture or icon.

2. Select Manage your Google Account.

3. Select Security from the left pane.

4. Select 2-Step Verification.

5. Select Turn on 2-step Verification.

6. Enter your phone number, then select Next.

7. Enter the verification code Google sent to your phone, then select Verify > Done

How to Turn Off Gmail Two-Factor Authentication

We don’t recommend disabling Gmail 2-step verification, but for those times when you need to, here’s how:

1. Select your profile picture or icon at the top right of Gmail, then select Manage your Google Account.

2. Select Security on the left, then scroll down the page and choose 2-Step Verification. Sign in to your Google account when asked.

3. Select Turn off 2-Step Verification.

4. Google shows a warning message asking you to confirm that you really want to disable 2-Step Verification. If you’re sure, select Turn off.

How to Set Up Alternate Verification Steps for Your Gmail Account

If you want to set up different forms of verification as a backup to a text message, Google provides several options. Here’s how to change the second form of verification:

1. Return to your Google account settings by selecting your profile image at the top followed by Manage your Google Account > Security > 2-Step Verification.

2. Scroll down to the Second steps section.

3. Pick any of the available options, which include Passkeys and security keys, Google prompt, and Authenticator. This is also where you can get backup codes for your Google account.

Why Use Gmail Two-Factor Authentication?

Your email account contains a lot of valuable information. It’s likely the account you use for everything, from your online banking to your social media accounts and potentially work-related tasks. 

Keeping all that information in one place is useful for you, but possibly dangerous, too. If a hacker finds your password, they can gain access to a lot of important information and wreck your online and offline identity.

Two-factor authentication adds a layer of security by necessitating more than just your password for account access. By demanding an additional item, such as your phone, during login, it effectively prevents access, even if someone knows your password.

How Gmail Two-Factor Authentication Works 

Depending on the 2FA method you chose during setup, Google will send you a code unique to your account. This might come via a text message to the number on file, a code in the Google Authenticator app, or a prompt on another device where you’re already signed in. Each code is only usable once and expires within minutes, so it’s very secure.