Gmail: MFA Activation Guide

Date: March 12, 2025 Author: SLYFER Cybersecurity Team

Activating MFA on your Gmail Account In Under 10 Steps

A picture of a digital envelope

Multi-Factor Authentication is an extra security layer that requires a second verification step in addition to your password. This additional factor—often a one-time code sent to your mobile device or generated by an authentication app—ensures that even if your password is compromised, your account remains protected.

Without any time to waste, let's get started on how to activate MFA on your Gmail account. Just follow the steps below.

  1. Go to Google.com
  2. While signed in, click on the circular google account on the top right corner.
    3. A google account icon
  3. Then, select Manage your Google Account from the pop-up window.
    4. A picture showing the manage your account button
  4. On the left side of the screen, select the Security option.
    5. A picture showing the security option under account settings
  5. Under the How you sign in to Google menu, select 2-Step Verification. You may be asked to provide your password again for verification purposes.
    6. A picture showing the 2-Step Verification option.
  6. Click on the Turn on 2-Step Verification button.
    7. A picture showing the turn on two factor authentication button
  7. A pop-up prompt will request for a phone number. Enter your phone number here.
    8. A picture showing the prompt requesting for a phone number
  8. After entering your phone number you will then receive a code to input into the prompt
    9. A text message showing the code provided to set up MFA A picture showing the code input into the prompt
  9. After verification, you will then see a prompt telling you that 2-Step Verification is turned on.
    10. A picture showing 2-Step Verification activated

Congratulations!🎊 You have successfully activated 2-Step Verification on Google/Gmail and have increased your account's security.