How to Enable 2-Step Verification for Google Workspace (Including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Gmail, etc.)

Recommended Prerequisites: Have a Google app (Gmail, Google Search, YouTube, etc.), that your @lynchburg.edu account is and will remain logged into, installed on a mobile device (a cell phone is preferred since can be online when WiFi is not available). When using a Google mobile app, 2-Step verification can be setup as a push notification (vs a text message with a code or a phone call). In this context, using a Google app for 2-Step Verification is referred to as Google Prompt.

  1. Using a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) navigate to https://accounts.google.com
  2. If you are already logged into your @lynchburg.edu account, continue to Step 4.
  3. If you are not logged into your @lynchburg.edu account, enter your full university email address in the text box labeled Email or phone and then the account password when prompted for it.Google Account Sign-in Page
  4. Once logged into your @lynchburg.edu account (click the profile picture in the top right to confirm you are logged into your @lynchburg.edu account) and on the account Home page, click Security on the left-side toolbar.Google Account Home Page - Security Highlighted in the Left Sidebar
  5. On the Security page, look for the section titled How you sign in to Google. In this section, click 2-Step Verification.
  6. On the 2-Step Verification page, review the important information about 2-Step verification and then click the Get started button.
  7. The Let’s set up your phone page should now be displayed; here is where you will set how you would like to receive the  2-Step verification information, e.g. a code that will need to be entered when logging into your @lynchburg.edu account. You will have the option to use a phone number (for text messages or phone calls) or use a mobile app/Google Prompt.
  8. If you would prefer a text message or a phone call, please enter your phone number and select Text message or Phone call. After clicking Next, you should then get a text message (or phone call) with a code from Google. Enter this code on the website when prompted.
  9. If you would prefer to use an app, click Show more options and select Google Prompt. If you selected Google Prompt and no devices are shown on the next page, your @lynchburg.edu is not signed into a Google mobile app
  10. If you choose to use Google Prompt, you will then be asked to enter a phone number (text or phone call) as a backup to Google Prompt. Once the phone number and text message or phone call has been selected, you should then get a text message with a code in it. Please enter this code on the website when prompted. 
  11. After submitting the code and it being accepted, the 2-Step Verification confirmation page is now displayed. Click the TURN ON button to finalize the setup process.