2-Step Verification For Your OPS Google Account
What is 2-Step Verification? 2-Step Verification is a security setting that requires you to verify it's you when signing into a new device for the first time.
You will only be prompted for 2-Step verification when you are signing into your OPS Google Account on a new device for the first time. If you use the device regularly, there is an option to not be asked for 2-Step verification again on that device or computer.
There are two methods for the initial set up of 2-Step Verification. Both options do require your cell phone. One using your phone number, the other being an app you install and sign into with your OPS Google account.
Option 1 - Text message/phone call with a verification code. Google will text or call the number you provided with a code that you need to enter when prompted for 2-Step Verification.
Option 2 - Google Prompts - When prompted for 2-Step verification you get a notification sent to your phone where you can approve or deny the sign in. Here is an example of what Google prompts look like.
Please note:If you are already signed into your OPS Google account on your phone you will be defaulted to Google prompts as your 2-Step Verification method.
Open the Google Chrome browser on your computer.
Before starting the setup of 2-Step Verification, if you sign into Google Chrome with your personal Google account make sure you are signed out of it and signed into your OPS Google account.
Once signed into your OPS Google account, in Google Chrome open a new tab. In the top right of the screen next to the Google waffle, click your initial.
- After clicking your initial, a small menu will appear. Click the “Manage your Google Account” button.
- After clicking the “Manage your Google Account” button, it will bring you to a new page. On this page, click the “Security” option on the left side menu.
- A new page will appear showing you recent security activity and other information. Scroll down the page until you see the section titled “How you sign in to Google”. Click 2-Step Verification.
After clicking 2-Step Verification you will be shown some information about the importance of it. Click the blue “Get Started” button. You may need to scroll down to see the “Get Started” button.
Please click the link below for the setup guide for the method you would like to use. Note that if you are signed into your OPS Google account on your phone already, you will be defaulted to Google Prompts unless you sign out of your account on your phone. If you want to use Google Prompts and are already signed in on your phone, please go to page 11 and start from there.
Text messaging/phone call setup
Text Message/Phone Call Setup
- If you choose to use the text message/phone call option, enter your cell phone number in the box next to the American Flag. Choose which method you would like to receive the code and click next in the bottom right corner.
- Enter the verification code sent to your phone in the box and press the next button.
- If you entered in the code correctly you will get a message saying it worked and to turn on 2-Step Verification. Click turn on.
- You have now turned on 2-Step Verification and are all set! After clicking turn on you will be brought to your 2-Step Verification overview page in your Google account. You can click the back arrow at the top middle of the screen or close the tab all together.
Google Prompts Setup
- To use the Google Prompt method you need to be signed into your OPS Google account on your cell phone.
These are the steps to sign into your OPS Google account based on your device type.
Android users: Go to the settings app on your phone, scroll to the “Accounts and backup” setting. In accounts and backup, choose “Manage accounts”. Press add account and then use the Google option. Follow the prompts to sign into your OPS Google account.
iPhone users: Download and sign into one of these Google apps with your OPS Google account. Google Smart Lock, Gmail, Google Photos, Youtube or Google app. If you need to download one of these apps we recommend Google Smart Lock.
These next steps are how to set up Google Smart Lock on your iPhone.
- Download and open the Google Smart Lock app on your iPhone and press continue on the first screen that pops up. On the next screen you will get a pop up at the bottom half of your phone screen. If you are signed into any personal Google accounts on your phone, they will be listed here already. Click where it lists your email address. It will open up a new page.
- Click on the “Add another account” option to be brought to the sign in page where you sign in with your OPS Google account. After signing in, you will be brought back to this page. Click on your OPS Google account.
- After selecting your OPS Google account on the screen above, you will then be brought back to the original prompt. It should now list your Oxford Public Schools account in the center. If it is not, retry the steps above. Press continue if your school account is listed here.
- You will then be prompted to allow Bluetooth. Bluetooth is only required for using NFC devices for verification. We are not using those, so you can say no to Bluetooth. You will then be prompted to enable notifications. You need to allow notifications for 2-Step Verification to work. After enabling notifications you will see this screen. ONCE YOU SEE THIS SCREEN PRESS CLOSE IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER.
After pressing close in the top left corner you will be brought back to the Google Smart Lock app home screen. You are now all set on the phone side and can go back to the computer to continue enabling 2-Step Verification.
Back on your computer at the 2-Step Verification setup screen, click the “Show more options” button. Click the Google prompts option.
You will be brought to a screen that should list your cell phone model. If your phone is listed here you can click continue. If your phone is not here, make sure you are signed into your OPS Google account on your device with the steps on page 7.
- After clicking continue there are two possible screens you will be brought to. One screen will have a list of backup codes that looks like this. If you get this screen, you need to download these codes and save them. We also recommend printing them and keeping them in a safe place. If you can’t access your device to accept/deny the Google prompt then one of these codes will be the only way you can login until you can access your device again.
If you did not get the screen with the backup codes, please scroll down to page 13 for your next steps.
Once you’ve downloaded and printed the backup codes, press next. You will be brought to the final page to turn on 2-Step Verification. Review your settings and press turn on when you are done.
After clicking turn on, 2-Step Verification has now been enabled for your account and you are all set! You will be brought to your 2-Step Verification overview page in your Google account. You can click the back arrow at the top middle of the screen or close the tab all together.
The other screen you may get is to use your cell phone number and receive verification codes via text or phone call as a backup option. Enter the cell phone number in the box and choose how you want to receive the codes. Click the send button.
Note that if you get this screen and do not want to use your cell phone number as a backup option, you can click the “Use another backup option” at the bottom of the page and will be given the option to use backup codes as a backup option. The directions for setting this up start at the bottom of page 10.
- After entering your number and pressing send you will then be brought to another screen. Enter the code that was sent to your phone via text or phone call and press next.
If you entered the code correctly you will get a message saying to turn on 2-Step Verification. Click turn on.
After clicking turn on, 2-Step Verification has now been enabled for your account and you are all set! You will be brought to your 2-Step Verification overview page in your Google account. You can click the back arrow at the top middle of the screen or close the tab all together.
