Sign in with backup codes

If you lose your phone or otherwise can't get codes by text, call, or Google Authenticator, you can use backup codes to sign in to your Google Account.

Important:

• Once 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.
• To use backup codes, 2-Step Verification must be on.

Create & find a set of backup codes

To store your backup codes somewhere safe, you can print a copy of your backup codes.

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
2. Tap Google Manage your Google Account.
3. At the top, tap Security.
4. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You may need to sign in.
5. Under "Backup codes," tap Continue .
6. From here, you can:
   • Get backup codes: To add backup codes, tap Get backup codes.
   • Create a new set of backup codes and inactivate old ones: To create new codes, tap Refresh .
   • Delete your backup codes: To delete and automatically inactivate your backup codes, tap Delete .
   • Download your backup codes: Tap Download Codes .
   • Print your backup codes: Tap Print .

Tips:

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

Find your lost backup code

Search your Android device 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 the device you're using for this to work.

Sign in with a backup code

1. Find your backup codes.
2. Sign in to your Google Account.
3. Tap Try another way.
4. Tap 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.