Now you can use your phone as a physical security key and we show you how

Google is now offering a new technique to let users securely log into different Google apps and services like Gmail, G Suite, Google Cloud and more. Well, with the help of this new method, any Android phone running Android Nougat or higher can be used as a physical security key, which further eliminates the need for spending your hard-earned money on Google’s Titan Security Key dongle. We show you how.

Google’s new security method to let users use their Android phone as a security key is essentially an improvement over its existing two-factor authentication. All you need to do is connect your Android phone to a Google Chrome browser on a Bluetooth-enabled desktop or laptop.

With this new method, Google is looking to overcome previous hurdles and shortages with 2FA and prevent phishing attacks that compromise your online login credentials. Over the years, Google has come up with different methods to make two-factor authentication a much-needed thing on the internet. For example, Google uses SMS verification codes, Google Prompt, Google Authenticator, etc.

However, SMS verification has its own weakness that’s why it’s always recommended to use authenticator apps. Earlier, we showed how you can enable Facebook two-step verification (2FA) using Google Authenticator and other FIDO-based apps like Authy and Microsoft Authenticator.

Google recommends every user to use their phone as a physical security key, especially “journalists, activists, business leaders, and political campaign teams who are at risk of targeted online attacks.” This new Google security method is similar to Google prompt. But it makes it mandatory for your Android phone and computer to be in physical proximity.

How to activate your phone as a security key

Before you proceed, ensure that you have a phone running Android Nougat or higher. Also, ensure that you have Google Chrome browser installed on your Bluetooth-enabled Chrome OS, macOS or Windows 10 device.

1. Log into your Google account from your Android phone and turn on Bluetooth.
2. Go to myaccount.google.com/security using Chrome on a second device of yours.
3. Tap “two-step verification.”
4. Select the option to choose your security key.
5. Select your phone from the list of devices.