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. Go to your Google Account.
2. On the left, click Security.
3. Under "Signing 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 think your backup codes were stolen or you run out of codes, 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.