What’s changing
We’re adding an option to use your iPhone as a security key for your Google Account. Security keys provide the strongest form of 2-Step Verification (also known as two-factor authentication or 2FA) to help protect your account against phishing, and are an essential part of the Advanced Protection Program for the enterprise. To use your iPhone as a security key, you need to install the Google Smart Lock app.Read more about this launch in our Security Blog post, or use our Help Center to learn more about security keys and 2-Step Verification. Also see our other announcement today - Use phones as security keys in the Advanced Protection Program.
Who’s impacted
Admins and end usersWhy you’d use it
2-Step Verification adds another layer to your account security, making it more resistant to phishing and account takeover attacks. By adding the option to use iPhones as a security key, we’re making the strongest form of phishing protection more accessible and convenient. As a result, we hope you’ll be able to implement Advanced Protection in your organization more quickly, while also minimizing user training and overall costs.We previously announced that you can use the security key built into your Android phone, in addition to physical security keys, including Google’s Titan Security Keys.
We also announced today that you can use phones as security keys in the Advanced Protection Program for the enterprise. We hope that these launches bring the added protection of security keys to more users, including making it easier to enrol in the Advanced Protection Program, and helps ensure that all users have access to more convenient forms of security.
Additional details
- The iPhone security key is enabled through the Google Smart Lock app.
- Installation of the Google Smart Lock app is only available on devices running iOS 10.0 and up.
- The security keys on iPhones are compatible with Bluetooth-enabled Chrome OS (version 79 and up), iOS, macOS, or Windows 10 devices with a Chrome browser.
Getting started
- Admins: If 2-Step Verification or Security Key Enforcement is turned on for an organization, iOS devices will be available as an option for security keys by default. Use our Help Center to see how to enforce the use of security keys in your organization.
- End users: Use the Help Center to see how to activate the security key on your phone or enroll in the advanced protection program.
Rollout pace
- This feature is available now for all users
Availability
- Available to all G Suite customers
Resources
- Admin Help Center: Deploy 2-Step Verification
- End user Help Center: Use your phone's built-in security key
- Apple App Store: Google Smart Lock app
- G Suite Updates blog: Use an Android phone as a security key for 2-Step Verification
- Security Blog: Have an iPhone? Use it to protect your Google Account with the Advanced Protection Program