When you sign in to your Google Account, you can tap a notification on your phone to confirm it’s you.
You can use Google prompts to sign in:
- With your phone instead of a password
- In addition to your password when you turn on 2-Step Verification
You can get Google prompts on any eligible phone that’s signed in to your Google Account.
Step 1: Check phone compatibility
To get Google prompts, you need:
- An iPhone 5S and up.
- The Google app or the Gmail app.
Step 2: Sign in to a Google app
On your iPhone or iPad, sign in to the Smart Lock app , the Google app
Step 3: Turn on Google prompts
Select an option:
- Use your phone to sign in instead of a password.
- Use them as your second step for 2-Step Verification.
Important: If you sign in to another compatible phone, you automatically get Google prompts on that device until you sign out.
Step 4: Turn on push notifications
You can use prompts faster when you tap push notifications instead of opening the Google app or the Gmail app. When you sign in, tap the notification to go to the prompt.
Set up notifications
The first time you get a prompt, it will ask whether to turn on notifications. To turn on notifications, tap Turn on or follow the instructions below.
- On your iPhone, open your Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Choose the Smart Lock app
, Google app
, or the Gmail app
.
- Turn on Allow Notifications.
How Google prompts help protect your account
We recommend Google prompts instead of text message (SMS) verification codes to:
- Avoid phone number-based account hacking. Hackers may try to steal verification codes to help them break into accounts. Google prompts help protect against this method of account hacking by sending them more securely to only your signed in devices.
- Get more info about sign-in attempts. To help you spot suspicious activity, Google prompts give you info about the device, location, and time of the sign-in attempt.
- Block suspicious activity. If you didn’t try to sign in to your account, tap No on the notification to secure your account.
Use recommended devices & security features
If you need to sign in on a phone that isn’t yours, sign in from a private browser window. To sign out, close all private browser windows when you finish.
To help prevent others from using your device, use a passcode with your phone.
Fix problems
You got a prompt but did not sign in
If you did not try to sign in but got a prompt, someone may have tried to sign in without your permission.
On the "Trying to sign in?" prompt, tap No.
If we notice something different about how you sign in, like your location, we may ask you to take extra steps to confirm it's you. For instance, you might need to match a number shown on your computer screen with one on your phone screen.
You don't get a Google prompt
Important: To get prompts, make sure your phone is connected to the internet. You need Wi-Fi or cellular data turned on to get prompts.
If you try to sign in and don't get a prompt:
- On the sign-in screen, tap Resend.
- Confirm that you're signed in to your Google Account. Follow these steps, then try to sign in again.
- On your iPhone, open the Smart Lock app
- At the bottom, tap Sign in.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
- On your iPhone, open the Smart Lock app
You don't get a prompt notification
You get a "Request Expired" message
If your phone shows an expired or timed out prompt, there was an unsuccessful attempt to sign in to your Google Account.
If you did try to sign in to your account:
- On the sign-in screen, tap Resend.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in to your Google Account.
If you didn't try to sign in to your Google Account:
- Review sign in activity in your Google Account.
- If someone else tried to access your account without permission, we recommend you change your password.
Your phone isn't nearby or you can't use it
You might need to sign in a different way, like when:
- You don't have your phone.
- Your phone isn’t charged.
- Your phone is offline.
If you sign in with Google prompts instead of a password, you need to use your password instead.
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Tap Use password or other options.
- Choose one of the options.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
If you use Google prompts for 2-Step Verification, try to sign in by following these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Tap Try another way.
- Choose one of the options, and follow the on-screen steps.
Tip: The text in step 2 might be slightly different. The text may say, “I can’t do this,” or another message.
Your phone is lost or stolen
Sign out on a device you no longer use.
To recover your account:
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Tap I don’t have my phone.
- Choose one of the options, and follow the on-screen steps.