Sign in with your phone instead of a password

Instead of typing your password each time you sign in to your Google Account, you can get a prompt sent to your phone.

Tap the notification from Google to confirm, and you'll be signed in quickly and securely. If your phone isn't nearby, you can select "Use your password instead" on the sign-in screen.

Set up your phone

You'll need the following to sign in to your Google Account:

To start signing in with your phone, follow these steps.

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app Settings app and then Google and then Google Account.
  2. At the top, tap Security.
  3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
  4. Under "Tired of typing passwords?," tap Add Google prompt.
  5. Follow the steps on the screen.
    • Your phone: When you choose a phone for signing in, choose the phone that you use regularly and always carry with you. Avoid using shared devices or old devices that you leave at home or at work.
    • Screen lock: If you don't have a screen lock, tap Add a screen lock. Follow the steps on the screen.

When you sign in to your Google Account, you'll get a "Trying to sign in?" prompt sent to your phone.

Sign in with your phone

  1. When you sign in, enter your email address or phone number.
  2. Tap Next. You'll see a reminder to check your phone.
  3. Unlock your Android phone.
  4. On the "Trying to sign in?" prompt, tap Yes.

Details about signing in with your phone

Change which phone you use to sign in

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app Settings app and then Google and then Google Account.
  2. At the top, tap Security.
  3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
  4. Under "Google prompt," tap Add phone.
  5. Follow the steps on the screen.
  6. After your new phone is added, next to your old phone, tap Delete Delete.

Stop signing in with your phone

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open your device's Settings app Settings app and then Google and then Google Account.
  2. At the top, tap Security.
  3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
  4. Under "Google prompt," next to your phone, tap Delete Delete.

Use only recommended devices

Use a phone that you use regularly and always carry with you. Avoid setting up shared devices or old devices that you leave at home or at work.

Signing in with your phone is safe

Signing in with your phone is an easy and secure alternative to using your password. Strong passwords have a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, often making them difficult to remember and type, especially on small screens.

To sign in with your phone, you need to turn on screen lock. This security feature helps prevent anyone else from unlocking your phone and using it to sign in to your Google Account.

Turn on screen lock

To sign in with your phone, you need to turn on screen lock on your Android. Settings may vary depending on your Android phone.

  1. On your Android phone, open the Settings app Settings app.
  2. Under "Personal," tap Security and then Screen lock.
  3. Follow the steps on the screen.
You might need to take extra steps to sign in

If we notice something different about how you're signing in, you'll need to take an extra step or two to confirm it's really you. For instance, you might need to match a number between screens or enter your password.

Fix problems

Your phone isn't listed

If your phone doesn't show up in the "Your phone" section of the setup process:

  1. Make sure you're using a compatible device.
  2. On your Android phone, open the Settings app Settings app.
  3. Tap Accounts and then Add account and then Google.
  4. Follow the steps on the screen to sign in.
  5. Go back to the "Add Google prompt" step. Select Try again, then choose your phone.

Your phone isn't nearby or you can't use it

In some cases, you might need to use your password to sign in, including when:

  • You don't have your phone with you
  • Your phone is out of battery
  • Your phone is offline

When events like this happen, go to the sign-in screen. Select Try another way to sign in and then Enter your password.

Your phone is lost

Screen lock helps protect your phone in case it's lost or stolen. Even if someone else has your device, that person can't unlock it to sign in to your account.

Even though your phone has this security feature, we recommend that you follow these steps to make your account more secure:

  1. On another device, go to the Recently used devices section of your Google Account.
  2. Select the lost device.
  3. Next to "Account access," choose Remove.
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