How to Set up Alternate Second Steps for Google 2-Step Verification

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Introduction

Alternate second steps help ensure that you can always access your account. There may be times when you do not have your primary second step (most often a cell phone). In these cases, you can use an alternate second step to sign in.

Set Up Alternate Second Steps
Sign In with Alternate Second Steps
Available Second Steps

How to Set Up Alternate Second Steps

Please follow the steps below to update your Google 2-Step Verification information.

Visit https://myaccount.google.com/security and sign in to your UAH Google account
Scroll down to the section labelled How you sign in to Google
If you'd like to add an additional phone number for Google 2-Step Verification, select the arrow icon (>) next to Voice or text message. If you'd like to add a new second step for Google 2SV, select your new authentication method under the Add more second steps to verify it's you section.
Follow the prompts to finish setting up your new second step for Google 2SV

How to Sign In Using Alternate Steps

Need to log in using one of your second steps? Simply select Try another way at sign-in to select one of your alternate authentication methods.

Available Second Steps

Click a step below to expand each section.

2-Step Verification phones

Adding a 2-Step Verification phone allows you to receive sign-in codes to your phone number. You can add multiple 2-Step Verification phones to your account.

You can choose to receive sign-in codes via text message or voice call. For example, faculty and staff with a dedicated office phone could add their office number to receive sign-in codes via voice call.

To add an additional phone number, select Add a backup 2-Step Verification phone and follow the prompts to confirm you can receive sign-in codes.

Google prompts

Google prompts is similar to Duo Push, one of the authentication methods available for Duo MFA. When you sign in to a new device or browser, Google can send a confirmation prompt to mobile devices where you're already signed in.

Any Android phone signed in to your Google Account will receive Google prompts.

To receive Google prompts on iPhone (5S and up) or iPad, you must be signed in to your Google account on one of the following apps:

Gmail
YouTube
Google
Photos
Ad Words
Smart Lock

Please note that this authentication method requires a network connection on the mobile device where you intend to receive the prompts.

Important: If you receive a sign-in prompt when you are not trying to sign in to your Google account, tap No, don't allow.

Learn more about Google prompts at Google Account Help.

Google Authenticator app

Google Authenticator is an app that generates a six-digit code you can enter during sign-in. This authentication method works even if your mobile device is offline.

Tip: Did you know you can use Duo Mobile in place of Google Authenticator? Learn how to set up Duo Mobile for Google 2-Step Verification.

To get started with the Authenticator app, download the Google Authenticator app from the App Store or Google Play. Then in your Google account 2-Step Verification settings, select + Set up authenticator.

Learn more about Google Authenticator at Google Account Help.

Backup codes

Backup codes are 8-digit codes that you can print out and keep with you in case you lose access to other second steps. Each backup code can only be used once. You can generate a new set of codes or delete your current codes at any time.

To generate a set of 10 backup codes, select + Get backup codes. To generate a new set of codes, select the refresh () icon. To delete your current codes, select the trash () icon.

Learn more about backup codes at Google Account Help.

Don't see your preferred authentication method? Learn about all of Google's supported second steps.

Still Need Help?

If you need help completing these steps or experience an issue along the way, please contact the OIT Help Desk.

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Details

Article ID: 134776

Created

Wed 10/13/21 9:41 AM

Modified

Mon 4/29/24 12:15 PM

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