You Can Now Use Your Android for 2FA on iOS

Google and Apple may be bitter rivals, but just occasionally Android and iOS can work together to keep us all safer. Which is what has happened thanks to Google expanding its new 2-Step Verification method (2SV) to include iOS.

In April 2019, Google unveiled its new 2SV method. This enables you to use your phone as a physical security key. However, at launch, the method required you to be using Google Chrome, and wasn’t compatible with iOS devices. Until now.

How to Use Google’s 2-Step Verification on iOS

In a post on the Google Security Blog, Google says you can now “use your Android phone to verify your sign-in on Apple iPads and iPhones”. As previously mentioned, on Chrome OS, macOS, and Windows 10 devices, Google utilizes the Chrome browser.

Things work a little differently on iOS devices. Rather than the Chrome browser, Google utilizes the Smart Lock app. However, once everything has been set up, you’ll be able to use an Android device to verify it’s you trying to log in to Google on an iOS device.

First, you need to add the security key to your Google account:

1. Add your Google account to your Android phone.
2. Make sure you’re enrolled in 2-Step Verification.
3. Visit the 2SV settings and click “Add security key”.
4. Choose your Android phone from the list of devices.

Now you can start using your Android phone as a security key:

1. Make sure Bluetooth is switched on on both devices.
2. Sign into your Google account on iOS using Google Smart Lock.
3. Check your Android phone for the notification.
4. Follow the instructions to confirm it’s you signing in.

Download: Google Smart Lock for iOS

Useful for People With Android and iOS Devices

This will obviously be limited to people who own and use both Android and iOS devices (which is possibly more common than you think). However, if that applies to you then you now have an extra security option open to you. Which surely can’t be a bad thing.

With every month that passes staying safe online seems to get tougher. Using tools such as Google’s 2SV method can help keep you safe. And if you want to learn more about security in a fun way, here are the security tips you can learn from The Avengers.

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