Google Authenticator Help
Getting started
Google Authenticator
- How to download Google Authenticator
- Unable to use Google Authenticator in Russia
- Codes from Google Authenticator not working
- Codes from Google Authenticator not working after phone reset
- Setting up Google Authenticator for multiple accounts
- Setting up Google Authenticator on multiple devices
- Can't download Google Authenticator on a BlackBerry device
- More about Google Authenticator
Lost phones
Getting started
Who should use 2-step verification
2-step verification is currency feature that is recommended for anyone who has a cell phone. It only takes a few minutes to set up and can save you the possible agony of having to deal with a hijacked account.
Google Authenticator
How to download Google Authenticator
Read Google's instructions on setting up Google Authenticator for your Android device, iPhone, or BlackBerry device.
Unable to use Google Authenticator in Russia
Verification codes generated by Google Authenticator depend on the phone having the correct time settings. Even though the time displayed on your phone might be correct, since the end of Daylight Saving Time in Russia many phones have not used the correct time offset from UTC, which is what Google Authenticator uses to get the time.
To fix this, do the following:
- Change your phone settings so that it doesn’t automatically set your time.
- Set the time offset to UTC+4 if you are in Moscow (or choose the Dubai or Abu Dhabi time zone).
- Set your local time.
Codes from Google Authenticator not working
Each code is only valid for a short period of time. Try using a new code.
In addition, make sure the time on your phone matches the time on your computer and the server. If you have an Android device, you can sync the time on your Google Authenticator app with that of Google’s servers by following these steps:
- Go to the main menu on the Google Authenticator app
- Click Settings
- Click Time correction for codes
- Click Sync now
You can also add your account again on your Google Authenticator app, verifying that you correctly entered your secret key.
Codes from Google Authenticator not working after phone reset
If you recently reset or wiped your phone, the Google Authenticator app might not be able to generate valid codes. To get your Google Authenticator app working again, you will need to delete your account from the app, and add your account to the app again using the QR code or Secret you printed or wrote down when setting up 2FA on your account. (You did print the QR code or write down the secret, right?)
- Open the Google Authenticator app on your phone.
- Delete your account from the app.
- Press and hold the account you want to delete, then tap Delete on the dialog box that pops up.
- Rescan your QR Code that you printed when setting up 2FA or input manually the secret that you wrote down.
Setting up Google Authenticator for multiple accounts
Google Authenticator can issue codes for multiple accounts from the same smartphone. However, every account needs a different secret key, which you will get by going through the setup process on each account. Simply repeat the setup process for any additional accounts, using the same Google Authenticator app.
Setting up Google Authenticator on multiple devices
You can set up Google Authenticator so that you can generate verification codes from more than one device, simply scan the QR Code on each of your individual devices.
Can't download Google Authenticator on a BlackBerry device
Make sure your BlackBerry device is configured for US English -- you might not be able to download Google Authenticator if your device is operating in another language.
More about Google Authenticator
Learn more about the Google Authenticator open source project.
Lost phones
Getting back into your account after losing a phone
If you lose a your phone and can no longer get into your account you can request a reset. Note that resests have a 30 day wait period to prevent abuse from hackers.
Currency measures to take if your phone is lost but you still have account access
If you lose a phone that was authorized with an application-specific password, we recommend revoking its application-specific password so no one can access your account from that device. Visit the profile page and revoke your current secret.