Google Authenticator set up guide

Step-by-step guide for setting up the Google Authenticator app.

1. Download the app from the App Store or the Google Play Store

2. Log into your Google account online accounts.google.com

3. Select the Security tab from the left hand menu

4. Scroll down to the Signing in to Google section

5. Click on > to the right of 2-step verification

6. Select Get Started

7. Enter your password when prompted

8. Check that your device is showing. If it is select Continue then jump to step 11 below. If your device isn't showing, go to step 9 for Android phones or step 10 for iPhones

9. If you have an Android phone and it isn't showing, return to the Settings page, select Accounts, then Add Account. Select Google and sign in. Now go to step 11

10. If you have an iPhone and it isn't showing, Go to the Google app on your phone and sign in with your Google account

11. Configure the back up option - just in case you lose your phone one day.

12. Select Send

13. A verification code will be sent to that phone number

14. Enter the code and select Next

15. Select Turn on when prompted

16. If prompted to log in again, do so and for 2-step verification select Turn on

17. Your all set - and much more secure too!

Here's how you add more websites to the app

1. Log into the website (Facebook in this example) and open the security settings

2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (Use Authentication App in this Facebook example)

3. You should see a QR code or a unique code pop up on the screen

4. Open Google Authenticator on your phone

5. Click the + sign at bottom right

6. Select Scan QR Code at bottom right

7. Hold your phone up to the QR code on the website and scan it or manually enter the code (Allow your camera access if prompted)

8. This will automatically establish a connection between the website and the app

9. On the website, enter the one time code showing in the app

10. Agree or approve if you are prompted

11. You're all done! And a lot more secure now too.

Next time you log in to the website have your phone handy and use the one-time password code that appears in Microsoft Authenticator to authenticate your log in. 

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