When And Why To Use Google Security Code
If the 2-Step Verification is enabled, Google sends you a prompt on your device, asking you to confirm the login activity. So why use the security code feature? Well because the prompt is dependent on the internet.

If your device isn’t connected to the internet, you’ll not receive the prompt and hence you can’t log in. However, the security code feature works regardless of an internet connection. You can use it, whether your mobile device is online or offline.
Login to Google Using a Security Code From Android Device
When signing in from a different location than usual (say a different computer or browser), you can use your Android device to generate a security code to sign into Google.
However, to use this feature the following two conditions need to be fulfilled.
- The 2-Step Verification for your Google account should be enabled.
- The Android device must have the same Google account as you’re trying to log in with.
Step 1: Log in to your Google account as per usual. Enter the email address and password.
Step 2: On the 2-Step Verification page, select Try another way from the bottom.

Step 3: Here, select ‘Use your phone or tablet to get a security code (even if it’s offline)‘.

On the next page, you’ll be prompted to enter the security code from your Android device. Here’s how to get them.
Step 4: Open Settings app. Go to Google and tap Manage your Google Account.
Step 5: Here, select the Security tab from the top bar. Scroll down to ‘How you sign in to Google‘.



Step 6: Select Security Code from the options.
Step 7: Enter the security code into Google’s prompt and tap Next to sign into your account.

Bonus: Login To Google Account Without a Phone
So what happens when you don’t have access to your smartphone? Say, the battery died out or the phone is stolen, or your kid won’t return it to you. Or for whatever reason, you can’t sign into your Google Account with 2-Step Verification.
Well, for such scenarios Google has incorporated a contingency plan, dubbed as the backup codes. If you have generated these backup codes in advance, you can log in to your Google account without a phone.
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Last updated on 28 August, 2024
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