In this guide, we will show you how to set up Google Authenticator on your Android phone. In the modern era, much of our information is stored on our social media accounts and email accounts. All these accounts are under threat from hackers, so it is wise to set up two-factor authentication. Also known as 2FA, it is a process that allows web services to confirm your login attempts across different devices using a second method, acting as an additional layer of security.
Using two-factor authentication does not provide you complete protection from hackers, but it sure is a great way to keep your private and sensitive information safe from abusers. If you use 2FA, you will get a verification link or code whenever you try to login into your account from a new device. You will need to enter the given code or proceed to the link to verify your login. Also, certain applications can be used to verify your login attempts. One such app is Google Authenticator and here, we will show you to set up Google Authenticator on your Android phone.
Google Authenticator
One of the most popular authenticator applications for Android devices is the Google Authenticator application. So if you want to use an authenticator application on your Android device, then we advise that you use the Google Authenticator application. If you want to set up the authenticator on your device, you can refer to the method provided later in the guide. But before you proceed, you have to download the app on your device. You can grab the app from the link provided below.
Download: Google Authenticator
Why Should You Use an Authenticator App?
When it is so easy to just click on a link or copy a code from an email or an SMS, why should you use an Authenticator app? Well, these apps are much safer to use and can be used to display and manage all of your codes. Third-party apps and services can access your texts and emails, so using Authenticator apps is a good idea. These apps create new 2FA codes after short intervals.
Also read: Use WhatsApp for Two-factor authentication on Instagram
How to Set up Google Authenticator on Your Android Phone
After the authenticator application is installed on your device, open the app and make your way past the introduction screen. Once done, follow the steps given below to set up Google Authenticator on your Android phone:
- First up, you are required to set up your account. This can be done by scanning a setup code or by entering a setup key. Setup keys are provided on the setting pages of online services.
- Then to set up two-factor authentication for your account, log in and proceed to the Settings page of the online service. From Settings, you are required to enable the 2FA option, which will be present in the security section.
- Then find the Authenticator app option on the page and select it.
- Once done, you will be able to see a QR code that needs to be scanned on the Authenticator app.
- Now, you will receive a 6-digit code that you need to enter on the online service in order to enable Google Authenticator.
The process to set up Google Authenticator on your Android phone is the same for all of the online services. You can follow the same steps for multiple services and add them to the authenticator app. All of your connected accounts will be listed inside the application with all of their passcodes. Next to the passcodes, there will be a timer that shows the time left until the passcode is changed.
So that was it from our side on how to set up Google Authenticator on your Android phone. We hope that you found this guide helpful. Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
