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Use an Android phone as a security key: How to do it (Update: Unlock iPhones)
August 14, 2025
Update, July 08, 2025 (5:55 PM ET):The “How To” article below gives you instructions on how to use an Android device as a 2FA tool on computers running Chrome OS, Windows 10, or macOS. However, now you can use an Android device to unlock, of all things,an iPhone.
It’s more likely that people will use this new functionality to unlock other iOS devices, such as iPads, but if you happen to carry around both an iPhone and an Android phone, you’re able to use the latter to unlock the former.
The instructions below will also work for iOS devices but with one small change: you need to use theGoogle Smart Lock iOS appinstead of using a computer to visit a web address. Other than that, the steps and functionality are similar.
Original article, August 16, 2025 (04:00 AM ET):Two-factor authenticationis a key way to help ensure your online accounts remain secure.Googlehas offered this solution for years now, but it’s stepping things up by letting you use your Android phone as a hardware security key of sorts.
Currently, users with two-factor authentication can receive web-based notifications, emails, or a call on their phone, allowing them to quickly refuse or grant account access. But cyber-criminals can (and have) skirted these alerts to steal account credentials.
Read:Android security review 2018 —Huge boost in device security updates
One alternative is to buy a hardware security key fob that uses Bluetooth, NFC or USB connectivity to authenticate account access. And Google’s latest solution is a similar, hardware-based approach that’s actually based on the prominentFIDO2standard.
The Mountain View company will let you use any Android 7.0 Nougat phone or better, as these devices all have the required security key tech. Google also requires a ChromeOS/Mac/Windows 10 computer with Bluetooth, and a compatible browser (i.e. Chrome).
To enable the functionality on your Google account, you’ll need to do the following:
To use the feature on your computer, Google says you simply need to follow the instructions below:
Interestingly, a Google GIF showsPixel 3users holding down on the phone’s volume-down button to confirm access. Check it out below.
It’s a very handy addition overall, and should go a long way to ensuring that your Google account is as secure as can be. We also hope this security key technology spreads to other websites and services in the near future, as it could drastically reduce cases of account breaches.
NEXT:New Google laptops and tablets said to be coming with productivity in mind
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