When you sign in to your Google Account, you can tap a notification on your phone to confirm it’s you.
You can use Google prompts to sign in:
- With your phone instead of a password
- In addition to your password when you turn on 2-Step Verification
- When you try to recover your account
Even if you haven’t turned either of these settings on, Google might also ask you to tap a notification to help confirm it’s you signing in.
You can get Google prompts on any eligible phone that’s signed in to your Google Account.
Step 1: Check phone compatibility
To get Google prompts, you need:
- An iPhone 5S and up.
- The Gmail app
, YouTube app
, Google app
, Photos app
, Ad Words app, or the Smart Lock app
.
Step 2: Sign in to a Google app
On your iPhone or iPad, sign in to the Gmail app 
.
Tip: If you're already signed in to one of these apps, you don't need to download another one.
Step 3: Turn on Google prompts
Select an option:
- Use your phone to sign in instead of a password.
- Use them as your second step for 2-Step Verification.
Important: If you sign in to another compatible phone, you automatically get Google prompts on that device until you sign out.
Step 4: Turn on push notifications
You can use prompts faster when you tap push notifications instead of opening the Gmail app .
Set up notifications
The first time you get a prompt, it will ask whether to turn on notifications. To turn on notifications, tap Turn on or follow the instructions below.
- On your iPhone, open your Settings.
- Tap Notifications.
- Choose the Gmail app
- Turn on Allow Notifications.
How Google prompts help protect your account
We recommend Google prompts instead of text message (SMS) verification codes to:
- Avoid phone number-based account hacking. Hackers may try to steal verification codes to help them break into accounts. Google prompts help protect against this method of account hacking by sending them more securely to only your signed in devices.
- Get more info about sign-in attempts. To help you spot suspicious activity, Google prompts give you info about the device, location, and time of the sign-in attempt.
- Block suspicious activity. If you didn’t try to sign in to your account, tap No on the notification to secure your account.
Use recommended devices & security features
If you need to sign in on a phone that isn’t yours, sign in from a private browser window. To sign out, close all private browser windows when you finish.
To help prevent others from using your device, use a passcode with your phone.
Fix problems
You got a prompt but did not sign inIf you did not try to sign in but got a prompt, someone may have tried to sign in without your permission.
On the "Trying to sign in?" prompt, tap No.
If we notice something different about how you sign in, like your location, we may ask you to take extra steps to confirm it's you. For instance, you might need to match a number shown on your computer screen with one on your phone screen.
Important: To get prompts, make sure your phone is connected to the internet. You need Wi-Fi or cellular data turned on to get prompts.
If you try to sign in and don't get a prompt:
- On the sign-in screen, tap Resend.
- Confirm that you're signed in to your Google Account. Follow these steps, then try to sign in again.
- On your iPhone, open the Gmail app
- At the bottom, tap Sign in.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
- On your iPhone, open the Gmail app
, YouTube app , Google app , Photos app , Ad Words app, or the Smart Lock app You get a "Request Expired" message
If your phone shows an expired or timed out prompt, there was an unsuccessful attempt to sign in to your Google Account.
If you did try to sign in to your account:
- On the sign-in screen, tap Resend.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in to your Google Account.
If you didn't try to sign in to your Google Account:
- Review sign in activity in your Google Account.
- If someone else tried to access your account without permission, we recommend you change your password.
You might need to sign in a different way, like when:
- You don't have your phone.
- Your phone isn’t charged.
- Your phone is offline.
If you sign in with Google prompts instead of a password, you need to use your password instead.
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Tap Try another way.
- Choose one of the options, and follow the on-screen steps.
If you use Google prompts for 2-Step Verification, try to sign in by following these steps:
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Tap Try another way.
- Choose one of the options, and follow the on-screen steps.
Tip: The text in step 2 might be slightly different. The text may say, “I can’t do this,” or another message.
Sign out on a device you no longer use.
To recover your account:
- Sign in to your Google Account.
- Tap I don’t have my phone.
- Choose one of the options, and follow the on-screen steps.
Related resources
Fix problems
If you don’t have access to the phone that receives prompts, sign in another way:
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Try another way or another message like I can’t do this.
- Choose one of the options.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
Important: To get prompts, make sure:
- Your phone is connected to the internet with Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- Your phone has the latest version of Google Play services.
- The “Do Not Disturb” setting is turned off.
If you try to sign in and don't get a prompt on your phone:
- Try again:
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Resend.
- To sign in to your Google Account, follow the on-screen instructions.
- It can take a few seconds for your phone to receive the prompt.
- If that doesn’t work:
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Try another way or another message like I can’t do this.
- Choose one of the options.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
If your phone shows an expired or timed out prompt:
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Resend.
- To sign in to your Google Account, follow the on-screen instructions.
Fix problems
Your phone is lost, stolen, or unavailableIf you don’t have access to the phone that receives prompts, sign in another way:
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Try another way or another message like I can’t do this.
- Choose one of the options.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
Important: To get prompts, make sure:
- Your phone is connected to the internet with Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- The “Do Not Disturb” setting is turned off.
If you try to sign in and don't get a prompt:
- On your iPhone, open the Gmail app
- Try again.
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Resend.
- To sign in to your Google Account, follow the on-screen instructions.
- It can take a few seconds for your phone to receive the prompt.
- If that doesn’t work:
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Try another way or another message like I can’t do this.
- Choose one of the options.
- To sign in to your Google Account, follow the on-screen instructions.
If your phone shows an expired or timed out prompt:
- Return to the sign-in screen on this device.
- Tap Resend.
- To sign in to your Google Account, follow the on-screen instructions.