On Twitter has YouTube announced that by the end of 2021, all Google accounts that use YouTube to publish videos will be required to enable two-factor authentication.
Two-factor authentication is not required to watch videos on YouTube. However, if you are a video creator and you upload videos to YouTube via YouTube Studio, you will need to set up two-factor authentication to continue using your Google account.
Two-factor authentication ensures that even if a malicious party gets hold of your Google account password, they cannot log in and manage your YouTube account. With two-factor authentication, you set up a secondary authentication method that works simultaneously with your administrator account password.
So when you enter a password, you also need to access the secondary means of authentication (usually a mobile) and verify that it is actually you logging in. In the event of a forced login or hack, the attacker will likely not have access to the second means of authentication and will not be able to access the sensitive data on your YouTube account.
Two-factor authentication generally works via Gmail (Google prompts). If you have installed this Gmail app on your Android or iOS device, Google will send a notification to your device. You must approve the login. Another way to use two-factor authentication is to install Google authenticator or another code generator. Code generators are apps that generate codes and require you to enter the code generated on your mobile while logging into YouTube.
However, by default, two-factor authentication will work via SMS. If a login attempt is made, an SMS code will be sent to your device that you must enter. So there are different ways of logging in with two-factor authentication. You can set the different ways to log in via two-factor authentication after activating two-factor authentication.
It is important to note that YouTube or YouTube studio does not offer two-factor authentication. Both login methods are linked to your Google account. So we are going to set up two-factor authentication on your Google account for YouTube.
Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for YouTube
Open the browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Make sure you are logged in with the Google account you use with YouTube.
Click on Security in the menu on the left.
Click Off at “2-Step verification”.
Click Get started to set up two-factor authentication on your Google account.
Enter your phone number to receive text messages or a phone call when receiving two-factor authentication codes. This verification is necessary to set up your device. Click Next.
You have received a code from Google by SMS or telephone call. Enter the code and click Next.
To enable two-factor authentication, click the “Turn on” button.
You have now successfully set up two-factor authentication on the Google account you use to manage YouTube. In addition to the SMS or phone call options to receive codes, you can use several ways to manage two-factor authentication.
To start with, I recommend that you save the backup codes. You need these codes to consult your account if you lose access to your telephone or telephone number. I would also set up a backup phone number.
Click on the desired method to accept two-factor authentication notifications. This can be done using Google prompts via the Gmail app. The authenticator app on your mobile or via a physical security key.
The next time you log in to a new device to manage YouTube, Google will ask you for the two-factor authentication code via your Google account.
I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!