Add Google Authenticator as a Sign in Option

If you have set up two-step authentication for your school email account, you may have circumstances where you just aren't able to receive a text message to your phone in order to log in. In those cases, it is helpful to have a second method Google's Authenticator app can be used in situations where you have no or low quality wifi and no cell connection. This article walks through the steps to set up the Google Authenticator app on your SCC account.

Log in to your SCC email and click on the Google Apps menu (grid of dots) in the upper right corner of the page. On the Apps menu,  click on "Account".

You can log in to your account page directly by going to the account page log in.

Google apps window in gmail with arrow pointing to account icon

On your account page, click on "Security" in the main menu on the left.

arrow pointing to the security tab in a gmail account profile menu

On the security page, look for "You can add more sign-in options" in the "How you sign in to Google" box. Click on "Authenticator" under the additional sign-in options.

arrow points to the "Authenticator" option in the "more sign-in options" in the Gmail security pages

On the next page, click on "Set up authenticator".

"Set up authenticator" button

You'll now see a page with a QR code. You'll need to scan the code with an App on your Mobile device.

QR code pop-up window when setting up authenticator

Go to the App store of your mobile device. Search for and download the free "Google Authenticator" app.

Google Authenticator App listing

Once installed, open the the app and tap on the "plus" icon at the bottom of the screen. This will start set up for adding authenticator to your account.

plus icon in the authenticator app

Tap on the "Scan a QR code" option in the app. This will open your phone's camera. Point the camera at the QR code on your computer screen. Once scanned, a six-digit code should now appear on the app.

Arrow pointing to the "Scan a QR code" option in the authenticator app

Back to your computer screen, click "Next" below the QR code you just scanned.

QR code pop-up window again. This time an arrow points to the "Next" link

Enter the 6 digit code displayed on your mobile device into the correct text field that is currently displayed on your computer screen and click "Verify".

pop-up window with the code entry field for finishing authenticator setup

If entered correctly, your account will acknowledge that you've added authenticator as a sign-in option.

message that shows authenticator is set up for Gmail login

The next time you log in to your email, after entering the password you'll see the two-step verification screen. This time, click on "Try another way" at the bottom.

"Try another way" link

One of the other sign-in options on the next screen should be to get a code from Google Authenticator. Click on that option.

Option to "Get a verification code" from authenticator

Open your app and copy the six digit code into the field on your computer screen and click "Next". This will log you in!

The authenticator code entry window

The login codes in the Authenticator app change every few seconds -- You'll see the countdown timer next to the code -- so make sure you type the code in quickly. Otherwise, you'll have to try logging in with the new code that will appear on the app after the old one has expired.