To set an app password, follow these steps:
-
Go to your Google Account: Access your Google Account settings. This is usually done by clicking on your profile picture in a Google service (like Gmail or YouTube) and selecting "Manage your Google Account."
-
Navigate to Security: On the left navigation panel of your Google Account page, select Security.
-
Find App Passwords: Within the Security section, locate the "Signing in to Google" panel. Choose "App passwords." You might be asked to re-enter your password for security reasons. If you don't see the "App passwords" option, it might be because:
- You haven't enabled 2-Step Verification. App passwords require 2-Step Verification to be turned on.
- Your account is through work, school, or another organization, and your administrator has disabled app passwords.
- 2-Step Verification may not be turned on for your particular account type
-
Select the App: At the bottom of the "App passwords" page, click "Select app" and choose the app you want to use with the app password from the dropdown menu. If your app isn't listed, select "Other (Custom name)."
-
Select the Device: Click "Select device" and choose the device you're using the app on from the dropdown menu. If your device isn't listed, select "Other (Custom name)."
-
Generate the App Password: Click "Generate." A 16-character app password (a string of letters and numbers) will be displayed in a yellow box.
-
Use the App Password: Copy this app password and paste it into the password field of the app you're trying to connect to your Google Account. It's important to note that this password is not your regular Google Account password.
-
Done: Click "Done" after you've successfully used the app password.
Important Considerations:
- 2-Step Verification is Required: App passwords only work if you have 2-Step Verification enabled on your Google Account.
- One App Password Per App/Device: You'll generally need a separate app password for each app and device combination that requires access to your Google Account.
- Revoking App Passwords: You can revoke app passwords at any time by going back to the "App passwords" page and clicking the "Revoke" button next to the app password you want to disable. Revoking an app password will immediately prevent the app and device it's associated with from accessing your Google Account.
- Security: App passwords are a more secure way to allow apps to access your Google Account than using your regular password. They limit the app's access and can be easily revoked if needed.
- Custom Names: If you select "Other (Custom name)" when selecting the app or device, make sure to give it a recognizable name, so you can easily identify and manage the app password later.
In summary, creating app passwords lets you grant specific applications secure access to your Google account, all while keeping your main account password safe.
