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.
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
- Tap Google
Manage your Google Account.
- At the top, tap Security.
- Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You may need to sign in.
- Under "Backup codes," tap Continue
.
- 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
- Find your backup codes.
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Tap Try another way.
- Tap Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes.
- 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.