Google Cloud Platform 2FA Setup Guide
Google Cloud Platform supports app-based two-factor authentication (2FA). Turning it on adds a second layer of protection, so a stolen password alone can't unlock your Google Cloud Platform account.
A Google Cloud Platform account can hold your files and backups of everything else, so protect it with 2FA. Besides an authenticator app, Google Cloud Platform also offers SMS text codes, phone-call codes, a proprietary app and security keys. An authenticator app (TOTP) is usually the best balance of security and convenience — and it's safer than SMS codes, which can be intercepted through SIM-swap attacks. For the strongest protection, Google Cloud Platform also supports hardware security keys.
2FA methods Google Cloud Platform supports
- SMS text message
- Phone call
- Authenticator app (TOTP)
- Proprietary app
- Security key (U2F / WebAuthn)
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Download Authenticator App - Novaz
Install Authenticator App - Novaz from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and open it — you'll use it to scan Google Cloud Platform's QR code and generate your 6-digit sign-in codes.
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Sign in to Google Cloud Platform and open your Google Cloud Platform account security settings.
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Turn on two-factor authentication and choose the authenticator-app option.
Look for "Authenticator app", "Authentication app", or "TOTP" rather than SMS.
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Scan the QR code with Authenticator App - Novaz.
Open Authenticator App - Novaz, tap add, and point your camera at the QR code Google Cloud Platform displays. Can't scan? Enter the setup key manually instead.
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Enter the 6-digit code to confirm.
Type the code Authenticator App - Novaz generates to verify and link your Google Cloud Platform account.
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Save a way to recover your account.
If Google Cloud Platform shows backup or recovery codes, store them somewhere safe, away from your phone. If it doesn't, check how Google Cloud Platform recovers accounts (support, an admin, or another sign-in method) before you need it.
Menu names on Google Cloud Platform can change — the official Google Cloud Platform 2FA documentation ↗ always has the exact, current path.
How to recover your Google Cloud Platform account
If you lose access to your authenticator and Google Cloud Platform gave you backup or recovery codes when you turned on 2FA, sign in with one of them; keep them somewhere safe, away from your phone. Not every service issues codes. If Google Cloud Platform doesn't, or you didn't save them, use Google Cloud Platform's account-recovery or support process (or ask your admin, for a work account) to get back in.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Google Cloud Platform work with authenticator apps like Authenticator App - Novaz?
- Yes. Google Cloud Platform supports TOTP authenticator apps, so you can generate its two-factor codes in Authenticator App - Novaz.
- Is Google Cloud Platform two-factor authentication free?
- Yes. Enabling authenticator-app 2FA on Google Cloud Platform is free — you only need the free Authenticator App - Novaz.
- What if I lose access to my Google Cloud Platform 2FA codes?
- If Google Cloud Platform gave you backup or recovery codes during setup, sign in with one of them. If it didn't, or you didn't save them, use Google Cloud Platform's account recovery or contact its support (or your admin, for a work account), then add the account to Authenticator App - Novaz again.
- Should I use an authenticator app or a security key on Google Cloud Platform?
- Google Cloud Platform supports both. An authenticator app like Authenticator App - Novaz is free and works on any phone; a hardware security key adds phishing resistance. You can enable both.
Generate your Google Cloud Platform codes in Authenticator App - Novaz
Free, offline, and encrypted. One tap for every 6-digit code.
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