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Google Backup Codes: What to Know and How to Use Them
Can't get codes via email, text, or voice call? Try this method instead
By Coletta Teske Whitehead Coletta Teske Whitehead Writer Central Washington University Coletta Teske is a Lifewire writer focusing on consumer electronics. She has 30 years' experience writing for Adobe, Boeing, Microsoft, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 26, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Email Yahoo! Mail Gmail What to Know
Print/Download Codes: In Google Account, choose Security > Show Codes. Sign in, scroll down, select Show Codes > Download or Print.Sign in with backup codes: On 2-Step Verification screen, choose Try another way > Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes. Enter codes. When you secure your Google account with two-factor authentication (2FA), you'll enter a code to complete the sign-in. You can get this code from a text message, a voice call, the Google Authenticator app, or a security key. There may be times when you don’t have your phone or a security key with you. For these situations, you can print a list of Google backup codes and keep it in a safe place only you know about, and then sign in with your backup codes. We show you how to do so using any device. How to Print or Download Google Backup Codes
After setting up your Google account with 2FA, print or download a set of backup codes. Sign in to your Google account and select Security. Under Signing in to Google, choose 2-Step Verification. Sign in and choose Next. Scroll down to the Backup codes section and select Show Codes. Select Download to save a text file containing the codes, or select Print to print the codes. If you download the backup codes from your Google account, save them somewhere safe. Also, change the default name to something less obvious than the default backup-codes file name. If your backup codes are lost or you've used all the codes, select Get New Codes. You'll have a new list of codes to work with and the old set of backup codes will become inactive. How to Sign In With Backup Codes
When you need to use a backup code to sign in to your Google account, find your list and follow these steps: Sign in to any Google service, be it Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or another Google service. When the 2-Step Verification screen appears, scroll down and select Try another way. Select Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes. Enter a backup code, then select Next to log in. When you use a code, it cannot be used again. Be sure to cross it off your list. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Stop Someone From Accessing Your Phone Remotely How to Set Up a New Android From an Old Phone How to Turn on Gmail Two-Factor Authentication How to Recover a Forgotten Gmail Password How to Turn on Google Two Factor Authentication 10 Popular Accounts That Should Have Two-Factor Authentication Enabled How to Turn on Two-Factor Authentication on Facebook How to Set Up a New Android Phone How to Secure Your Gmail With Two-Step Authentication How to Use Two Step Verification (2FA) in WhatsApp How to Run a Google Security Checkup How to Change Your Facebook Password How to Use the Microsoft Authenticator App How to Set up and Use the Google Duo Chat App How to Sync Google, Outlook, and iPhone Calendars How to Set Up and Use Microsoft 365 MFA Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies