Google now offers the possibility of using a security key integrated into your Android smartphone to validate the connection to a Google service from a computer.
Android smartphones can now be used as a security key to connect to Google services, for users who have activated two-factor authentication. The smartphone thus serves as a security key when you sign in to your Google account from a computer or tablet.
However, you must have a device running Android 7.0 or higher, a computer with a Bluetooth connection, and use the latest version of Google Chrome to establish your connection.
More secure than the classic double authentication requiring the sending of an SMS or a notification to another device, it also simplifies the process since as long as the Android smartphone is connected to the PC via Bluetooth, it is done automatically without that the user does not have to intervene.
1. Download the latest version of Chrome
Before you dive headlong into activating a security key on your smartphone, you will need to make sure that you have the latest updated version of Google Chrome on your computer, equipped with a Bluetooth module.
The use of an Android smartphone in the two-step validation process is, in fact, only functional from the latest version of Google’s web browser.
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2. Activate two-step verification
If you haven’t already done so, you’ll first need to enable two-step verification in your Google Account.
To do this, go to the page dedicated to your Google Account from your PC.
In the left menu, click Security, then in the Sign in to Google section, click Two-step verification.
If you have already enabled two-step verification, go directly to step 3.
The page offers a tutorial on how to Protect your Account with Two-Step Verification, click Start, confirm your identity by logging back into your account, and click Next.
By default, Google offers you to configure Two-Step Verification by entering your phone number to get your codes by SMS or phone call.
Enter your number and choose one of the methods offered to obtain your activation codes and click on Next.
After obtaining your validation code, enter it in the field provided and click on Next
Then validate the activation of the Two-step validation by clicking on Activate.
Now, when you log into your account on a new device, you will need to enter the activation code you receive by SMS to complete the connection.
There are other methods for two-step validation. In addition to the code received by SMS, it is also possible to opt for Google prompts. These allow you to authenticate your connection by sending a simple notification to your smartphone that you just need to open to authorize the connection.
But it is possible to simplify the two-step verification process even further by adding a security key to your Google Account. Keep this window active and go to the next step.
3. Add your Android smartphone as a security key
Scroll through the options provided until you reach the Configure a second different step section and then, in Security key, click Add a security key.
In the window that opens, select your Android smartphone.
The following window explains that a security key will be installed on your mobile terminal. Validate by clicking on Add then on OK.
4. Confirm the connection to Google services using your smartphone
Your smartphone does not need to be paired with your computer for the passkey validation to work. Just make sure Bluetooth and location are turned on and your two devices are close to each other.
From now on, each time you try to initiate a new connection to a Google service from Chrome on your computer, Google will use your smartphone’s security key to validate your connection.