How to Activate Gmail Two-Step Authentication

As part of our feature on two-step authentication, and why you should enable it and use it today, we mention Google as one of the companies that offer this security enhancement. Here is a step-by-step guide for adding two-step authentication to your Gmail account.

Step #1: Turn On Two-Step Verification in Gmail

1. Open your Google account.
   
2. Your account page will open. In the left navigation menu, click “Security.”
   
3. On the Security page, scroll down to the “Signing in to Google” section and select “2-Step Verification.”
   
4. On the 2-Step Verification page, click “GET STARTED.”
   
5. Verify it’s you changing the settings by entering your password on the verification page (if prompted). Click “Next” to continue.
   
6. On the 2-Step phone confirmation page, select “CONTINUE” to confirm your phone for 2-Step authentication/verification.
   
7. A verification prompt gets sent to your phone.
   
8. In the verification prompt on your phone, click “YES.”
   
9. On the 2-Step backup options page, confirm or change the phone number and whether you want to receive texts or calls. Click “SEND” when finished.
   
10. A page loads prompting you to confirm that it works. Enter the verification number that was sent to your phone, then click “NEXT.”
    
11. The next page prompts you to turn on 2-Step Verification. Click “TURN ON” to activate the feature.
    
12. A confirmation window will appear, showing that you successfully added 2-Step Verification, and it offers a button to turn it off.