Use your Android phone's built-in security key

When used as part of 2-Step Verification, security keys offer stronger protection against hackers breaking in to your account with stolen information like passwords or verification codes. In a few minutes, you can set up your compatible Android phone's built-in security key to help you securely sign in on a nearby computer.

Requirements

To sign in on a computer using your Android phone's built-in security key, you need:

  • An Android phone running Android 7.0 or up. Learn how to check and update your Android version.
  • A computer that has:
    • Bluetooth
    • The latest version of a compatible browser like Chrome
    • The latest version of a compatible operating system like Chrome OS, Mac OS, or Windows

Step 1: Add the security key to your Google Account

  1. Turn on 2-Step Verification and add a verification method like Google Prompts.
    • If you already use 2-Step Verification, you can move on.
  2. On your Android phone, go to myaccount.google.com/security.
  3. Under "Signing in to Google," select 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
  4. Scroll down to "Set up an alternative second step."
  5. Select Add Security Key and then Your Android phone and then Turn on.

Step 2: Use your Android phone's built-in security key

  1. On your computer, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your settings or preferences.
  2. On your computer, sign in to your Google Account with your username and password.
  3. Check your Android phone for a notification.
  4. On your Android phone, double-tap the "Are you trying to sign in?" notification.
  5. Follow the instructions to confirm it’s you signing in.

Fix problems

If you’re having trouble using your Android phone's built-in security key, try these tips.

Bring your devices closer together

For your Android phone's built-in security key to work, it needs to be close to the device you’re trying to sign in on. Try putting your Android phone and the device you're trying to sign in on side by side.

Turn on Bluetooth on both devices

To use your Android phone's built-in security key, turn on Bluetooth in the settings for:

Turn on Location Services on your Android phone

For Bluetooth to work properly, turn on location settings for your Android phone. After you sign in, you can turn location settings off.

Check the device requirements

To use your Android phone's built-in security key, make sure:

Sign in without a security key

You can sign in using other verification methods you’ve set up.

  1. Sign in to your Google Account with your username and password.
  2. Under "Verify your identity with google.com," select Cancel and then Try another way.
  3. Choose the verification method you’ll use to sign in.
  4. Follow the instructions on your screen to finish signing in.
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