Sign in with backup codes

If you can’t sign into your Google Account with your normal 2-Step Verification, you can use a backup code for the second step. Create backup codes to use in case you lose your phone, change your phone number, or otherwise can't get codes by text, call, or Google Authenticator.

Important:

• To use backup codes, make sure 2-Step Verification is on.
• After you use a backup code to sign in, that code becomes inactive.
• You can get a new set of 10 backup codes whenever you want. When you create a new set of codes, the old set automatically becomes inactive.
• Do not share your backup codes with anyone. Google never asks for a backup code other than at sign in.

Create & find a set of backup codes

To store your backup codes somewhere safe, like where you keep your passport or other important documents, you can print a copy of them.

1. Go to your Google Account.
2. On the left, click Security.
3. Under "How you sign in to Google," click 2-Step Verification. You may need to sign in.
4. Under "Backup codes," click Continue .
5. From here you can:
   • Get backup codes: To add backup codes, click Get backup codes.
   • Create a new set of backup codes and inactivate old ones: To create new codes, click Refresh .
   • Delete your backup codes: To delete and automatically inactivate your backup codes, click Delete .
   • Download your backup codes: Click Download Codes .
   • Print your backup codes: Click Print .

Tips:

• If you lose or run out of codes, or if you think your backup codes were stolen, you can create a new set. To create a new set of codes, click Refresh .
• When you create new codes, your old set automatically becomes inactive.

Find your lost backup code

Search your computer for: Backup-codes-username.txt with your username. For example, if your username is google123, search for: Backup-codes-google123.txt. You'll need the codes downloaded to your computer for this to work.

Sign in with a backup code

1. Find your backup codes.
2. Sign in to your Google Account.
3. Click Try another way.
4. Click Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes.
5. Enter one of your unused backup codes.

Tip: As each code can be used only once, you might want to mark the code as used.