Sign in with app passwords

Tip: App passwords aren’t recommended and are unnecessary in most cases. To help keep your account secure, use "Sign in with Google" to connect apps to your Google Account.

An app password is a 16-digit passcode that gives a less secure app or device permission to access your Google Account. App passwords can only be used with accounts that have 2-Step Verification turned on.

When to use app passwords

Tip: iPhones and iPads with iOS 11 or up don’t require app passwords. Instead use “Sign in with Google.”

If the app doesn’t offer “Sign in with Google,” you can either:

• Use app passwords
• Switch to a more secure app or device

Create & use app passwords

Important: To create an app password, you need 2-Step Verification on your Google Account.

If you use 2-Step-Verification and get a "password incorrect" error when you sign in, you can try to use an app password.

1. Go to your Google Account.
2. Select Security.
3. Under "Signing in to Google," select 2-Step Verification.
4. At the bottom of the page, select App passwords.
5. Enter a name that helps you remember where you’ll use the app password.
6. Select Generate.
7. To enter the app password, follow the instructions on your screen. The app password is the 16-character code that generates on your device.
8. Select Done.

If you’ve set up 2-Step Verification but can’t find the option to add an app password, it might be because:

• Your Google Account has 2-Step Verification set up only for security keys.
• You’re logged into a work, school, or another organization account.
• Your Google Account has Advanced Protection.

Tip: Usually, you’ll need to enter an app password once per app or device.

Why you may need an app password

Tip: Don’t create an app password unless the app or device you want to connect to your account doesn’t have “Sign in with Google.”

When you use 2-Step Verification, some less secure apps or devices may be blocked from accessing your Google Account. App passwords are a way to let the blocked app or device access your Google Account.

App passwords revoked after password change

To help protect your account, we revoke your app passwords when you change your Google Account password. To continue to use an app with your Google Account, create a new app password.

Tip: If the app offers "Sign in with Google," we recommend you use that feature to connect the app to your Google Account.

Forgot your app password

Every app password can only be used once. You can generate a new app password anytime.

If you lost a device that uses app passwords:

1. Go to your Google Account.
2. At the top, tap Security.
3. Tap App passwords and revoke the app passwords from your lost device. You may need to sign in again.

You still can’t sign in

If you use a non-Google app and can't sign in, the app's sign-in process might not be secure. Try to update to the latest version of the app and use "Sign in with Google," if it’s an option.

Tip: You can also switch to a more secure app.

Fix problems with Microsoft Outlook

• Use "Sign in with Google":
  • Try to sign in to Outlook with your Google Account user name. Make sure you have the latest version of the Outlook app or program.
• Use an app password:
  • If your Google Account has 2-Step Verification turned on and you can’t use "Sign in with Google," you can use an app password.