Why you might want to turn off two-step verification
Two-step verification adds a second security check when you sign into Google — usually a code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Turning it off means you'll only need your password to log in. Most people keep it on because it stops someone who steals your password from accessing your account, but you might disable it if you've lost access to the phone number or authenticator app you set up, or if you're moving to a different device and want to reconfigure everything from scratch.
Before you disable it, understand that your account becomes easier to break into. If someone guesses or steals your password, they can access your email, files, photos, and anything else linked to that Google account. You can always turn two-step verification back on later if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- You turn off two-step verification in your Google Account settings under Security, not in Gmail or any other Google app.
- You need to sign in with your password and pass one final verification step before Google lets you disable it.
- If you've lost access to your phone or authenticator app, you may need to use a backup code or recovery email instead of the usual verification method.
- Disabling two-step verification takes effect when ready, and you'll only need your password to sign in from that point forward.
How to disable two-step verification if you still have access to your phone
Go to myaccount.google.com in your web browser and sign in with your password. On the left side of the page, click Security. Scroll down until you see the section labeled How you sign in to Google, and look for 2-Step Verification. Click on it.
You'll see a button that says Turn off. Click it. Google will ask you to verify your identity one more time — usually by sending a code to your phone number or asking you to open your authenticator app and enter the current code. Do that, and then confirm that you want to turn off two-step verification. Once you click the final confirmation, it's disabled.
What to do if you don't have access to your phone or authenticator app
If you've lost your phone or can't access the authenticator app you set up, you can't complete the verification step that Google requires before turning off two-step verification. In this case, you have two options: use a backup code, or use your recovery email address.
When you first set up two-step verification, Google gave you a list of backup codes — usually eight codes printed on a piece of paper or saved in a file. If you still have one of these codes, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security, find 2-Step Verification, and click Turn off. When Google asks for verification, select the option to enter a backup code instead of using your phone, and type in one of the codes you saved.
If you don't have a backup code, look for the option to verify using your recovery email address — the backup email you set up when you created your Google account. Google will send a verification code to that email. Check that inbox, copy the code, and enter it on the verification screen. After that, you can turn off two-step verification.
Turning off two-step verification on a phone or tablet
The process is the same on a phone or tablet, but the layout looks different. Open a web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge), go to myaccount.google.com, and sign in. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner, then tap Security. Scroll down to How you sign in to Google and tap 2-Step Verification.
Tap Turn off, complete the verification step with your phone or backup code, and confirm. The setting takes effect right away, even though you're on a mobile device. The same backup code and recovery email options work on mobile as they do on a computer — if you don't have your phone, you can still use a saved backup code or ask Google to send a code to your recovery email.
What happens after you disable two-step verification
Once two-step verification is off, you can sign into your Google account with just your password on any device. You won't receive codes on your phone or be asked to open an authenticator app. This change is when ready — there's no waiting period.
If you change your mind later, you can turn two-step verification back on by going to the same Security page and clicking Turn on next to 2-Step Verification. Google will walk you through setting it up again, and you can choose whether to use your phone number, an authenticator app, or both.
Why Google asks you to verify before turning it off
Google requires one final verification step before letting you disable two-step verification because it's a security feature. If someone broke into your account but didn't know your password, they couldn't turn off two-step verification without that extra code. This protects you even if your account is partially compromised. The verification step proves that you actually have access to your phone or backup codes, which means you're the real account owner.
This is why losing your phone and your backup codes at the same time creates a real problem — Google has no way to know if you're the real owner trying to regain control, or an attacker trying to lock you out. That's when you need to use Google's account recovery process, which takes longer but works even when you've lost all your backup methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable two-step verification if I've been locked out of my account?
If you can't sign in at all, you'll need to use Google's account recovery process instead. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery, enter your email address, and follow the steps to prove you own the account. Once you regain access, you can disable two-step verification through your Security settings.
Will disabling two-step verification affect my other Google services like Gmail or Drive?
No. Two-step verification is a setting on your Google Account itself, not on individual apps. Turning it off affects how you sign in everywhere — Gmail, Drive, YouTube, and any other Google service — but it doesn't change anything about those services themselves.
What if I lost my backup codes and don't remember my recovery email?
You'll need to use Google's account recovery process. Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and answer security questions or provide other proof that you own the account. This process can take a few days, but it's the way to regain access if you've lost all your backup methods.
Is it safe to disable two-step verification?
It's less safe than keeping it on, because a stolen password is enough to break into your account. If you disable it, use a strong, unique password that you don't use anywhere else. Consider turning two-step verification back on once you've resolved whatever problem made you disable it in the first place.