Use a security key for 2-Footstep Verification

Security keys can be used with 2-Step Verification to aid you keep hackers out of your Google Account.

Important: If yous're a journalist, activist, or someone else at run a risk of targeted online attacks, learn about the Advanced Protection Programme.

Step ane: Go your keys

  • Use a compatible phone'south built-in security central
  • Buy Titan Security Keys from the Google Store
  • Guild a compatible security fundamental from a retailer you trust

Step 2: Add together a fundamental to your account

Make certain you're using the latest version of your browser or Bone. New registered keys no longer work on Android devices 8.0 and lower.

  1. Open a compatible browser, like Chrome.
  2. Enroll your security key. You might need to sign in.

Step 3: Sign in with your key

Security keys are a more secure second step. If you have other second steps prepare upward, use your security primal to sign in whenever possible. If a security key doesn't piece of work on your device or browser, you might see an choice to sign in with a lawmaking or prompt instead.

If you receive the error, "You lot demand to register this Security Key to your Google Business relationship before y'all can use it to sign in":

  1. Attempt to sign in with a different account.
  2. Update your Google Play service.
  3. To add the account in question, effort to sign in once more.

Tip: You lot'll be asked for your security key or some other second step any time you lot sign in from a new figurer or device.

With Bluetooth (BLE)

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open a Google app or a compatible browser similar Chrome, Firefox, Border, or Opera.
  2. Sign in to your Google Account if yous haven't already.
  3. Your device will detect that your business relationship has a security primal. Follow the steps to pair your device and cardinal.

After pairing, you tin sign in to your Google Account like you usually practice. If we need to make certain it's you, you'll be asked to printing the button on your key.

Fix issues with Bluetooth

Primal won't pair with phone or tablet

Make sure to:

  • Turn on Bluetooth on your device.
  • Add the cardinal to your account.
  • Employ the pairing steps above. You can't pair a key from your device's Bluetooth settings.
  • Update your device to the latest version of Google Play Services.
  • Temporarily plough on Location Services when you utilise your fundamental.
  • Keep your central and device close together.
  • Effort restarting your device.
  • Try turning Bluetooth off and back on.

Key won't go into pairing mode

Cheque if:

  • Your central is unplugged from your computer or charger
  • Your central is charged

Google Play Services error

  1. On your Android device, sign in with an account that doesn't use a security primal.
  2. Google Play Services should start updating automatically.
    • Make certain your device is connected to the internet.
  3. Sign back in to your Android device with the account that uses a security key.
  4. Follow the steps to sign in using your key with Bluetooth (BLE).

With Near Field Communication (NFC)

  1. On your Android telephone or tablet, open a Google app or a uniform browser like Chrome.
  2. Sign in to your Google Business relationship if you haven't already.
  3. Your device volition detect that your account has a security key. Follow the steps to sign in using your primal.

Fix problems with NFC

Make sure to:

  • Plow on NFC on your device
  • Add the key to your account
  • Remove anything that might exist blocking the NFC signal, like a example or sticker
  • Update your device to the latest version of Google Play Services
  • Try restarting your device
  • Endeavor turning NFC off and on again

Google Play Services error

  1. On your Android device, sign in with an account that doesn't use a security central.
  2. Google Play Services should start updating automatically.
    • Brand certain your device is connected to the net.
  3. Sign back in to your Android device with the account that uses a security cardinal.
  4. Follow the steps to sign in using your key with Virtually Field Communication (NFC).

With USB

  1. Open up a compatible browser like Chrome.
  2. Sign in to your Google Business relationship. Your device will detect that your business relationship has a security key.
  3. Connect your key to the USB port in your device. You may need a USB adapter
  4. If yous see a message from "Google Play services," tap OK. If not, move on to step 5.
  5. Plow on your primal:
    • If your key has a gold disc, tap it.
    • If your key has a golden tip, tap and then printing it.
    • If your fundamental has a push, press it.
    • If your primal has none of these features, yous may need to remove and reinsert it. This blazon of cardinal turns off after each employ.

Organize your security keys

You can manage your security keys under your 2-Pace Verification settings. There, you'll find a list of the keys you've added, from the most recent to the oldest. You'll likewise find more info such every bit the key's name, the date it was added, and the date it was last used. The key's name defaults to "Security Key" unless you choose a custom proper noun.

Y'all besides accept the choice to edit each security key'southward proper noun or to delete it.

Rename your security keys

Side by side to each security key, click on the pencil icon Edit to edit its proper noun. This means that if y'all take multiple security keys, you can better identify them with a custom proper name.

When you click on the pencil icon Edit, a prompt asks you to type a custom proper noun for your security key. You tin can choose a name upwardly to 20 characters in length.

Remove your security keys

Next to a security key, click on the trash bin icon Delete to remove it so that it's no longer connected to your Google Business relationship. When y'all remove your security key, you lot'll be asked for confirmation. Yous may also need to sign in to your Google Account again.

Unable to use security key

If yous're unable to use your security key, you tin generate a security code to utilise 2-step verification:

  1. With your other device that's signed in to your business relationship, go to m.co/sc.
  2. To get your security code, follow the instructions on screen.

Lost security key

If your security key is lost, you can follow these steps to get back into your account and protect it. Choose the right steps for yous depending on whether you've set some other 2d step like:

  • Verification codes
  • Google prompts
  • Backup codes
  • A dissimilar security key you've added to your account
  • A registered estimator where you previously chose not to be asked for a verification code

Related resources

  •  Gmail Security and Privacy Settings

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