Security: password, authenticator app, passkeys, devices

Set or change a password, turn on two-factor sign-in, add passkeys, sign out other devices, and keep a recovery key.

Before you start #

Be signed in and online. Open the "User info" menu > "My account" > "Login & security" > "Security" (password, authenticator app, passkeys, signed-in devices).

Password #

  • "Set a password" or "Change password": type the new password twice and save. At least 10 characters.
  • Saving a password signs your other devices out ("Password saved; other devices were signed out").
  • Without a password you sign in with emailed codes ("Not set: you sign in with emailed codes"). A password sign-in always has a second step (authenticator app or emailed code).

Authenticator app (two-factor sign-in) #

  1. In "Authenticator app" press "Set up".
  2. Scan the code in your authenticator app, or type the key.
  3. Type the code the app shows and press "Turn on".

When it is on ("On: asked for at every sign-in"), every password sign-in asks for the app's code. "Turn off" makes emailed codes the second step again.

Passkeys #

  • "Add a passkey on this phone" adds a passkey on devices that support them (some builds say "Passkeys cannot be added from this build yet").
  • "Remove" deletes a passkey; it can no longer be used to sign in.

Linked logins #

"Link Google" links a Google login so that "Continue with Google" works at sign-in.

Signed-in devices #

"Signed-in devices" lists each device. "Sign out" signs that device out: it keeps its data but must sign in again to sync. "Sign out of this device" signs out the device you are on.

The Sign out section at the bottom of "My account" does the same in three rows: "This device", "Other devices" ("Sign out the other device" or "Sign out all n others") and "All devices" ("Sign out everywhere"). Your data stays saved.

Account PIN #

On a device without fingerprint, face or screen lock, switching accounts may ask for an account PIN of 4 to 10 digits that you choose ("Set your account PIN"; "Later" skips it until your next sign-in). Setting the PIN asks for your password when you have one.

Recovery key #

"My account" > "Data & storage" > "Recovery key" > "Create recovery key…" makes a key of 28 letters and digits, shown once. Write it down or save it in a password manager, apart from the device, and tick "I have saved it somewhere apart from this phone".

If the device's normal unlock no longer opens your data there, press "Use recovery key" on the locked screen, type the key and press "Open my data". It works also offline, but only on the device where it was made. "Replace recovery key…" makes a new one; the old one stops working at once.

Lock after leaving the app #

"My account" > "Lock after leaving the app" sets when the app locks your data again after you leave it.

Change email #

"My account" > "Change email": type the new address and your current password, press "Send link" and open the link in the email sent to the new address. Until then you keep signing in with the old one. See Your profile and public card.

Updated