Setting up 2-Step Verification for Gmail

All Google accounts must now use 2-Step Verification. There are several authentication options available: backup codes, a Google prompt, an authenticator app, a backup phone, or a security key. This guide uses an authenticator app – specifically, the Duo Mobile authenticator app, but you could use any authenticator app. They all pretty much work the same way. Whichever authentication method you choose will give you a fresh verification code any time that Google needs one from you to verify that you're really you.

Instructions:
    1. Sign in to Google: https://accounts.google.com/signin
    2. Open the https://myaccount.google.com/security page.
    3. Go to the "Signing in to Google" section.
    4. Click on "2-Step Verification".
    5. Click "GET STARTED".
    6. Enter your Google account password at the prompt.
    7. Make sure your device is displayed or click "Don't see your device?" and follow the instructions if it isn't.
    8. Click "CONTINUE".
    9. Make sure your phone number is displayed or type it in if it isn't.
    10. Choose whether to get a text or a phone call
    11. Click "SEND" (or, if a text or phone call won't work, click "USE ANOTHER BACKUP OPTION").
    12. Enter the 6-digit code you received on your phone or click "Resend" if you didn't receive one.
    13. Click "NEXT".
    14. Click "TURN ON".
    15. Click the arrow button at the top of the Google screen to get back to the Security page on Google.
    16. Click "Authenticator app" on Google.
    17. Tap the Duo icon on your phone.
    18. Click "+ Set up authenticator app" on Google.
    19. Click "Scan a QR code" on Google.
    20. Tap your Gmail account in Duo on your phone if it exists or tap "Create an account" in Duo on your phone and choose or add your Gmail account to Duo (steps for doing that are not included here).
    21. Point your phone's camera at the screen so Duo can automatically scan the QR code.
    22. Tap "Show passcode" in Duo on your phone.
    23. Click "Next" on Google.
    24. Type the 6-digit code you were given by Duo into Google.
    25. Click "Verify" on Google.
    26. Sign out of Google.

Now any time you need to provide a verification code for this Gmail account, you can open Duo Mobile on your phone, tap your Gmail account, copy the 6-digit code it gives you, and paste it into Google.