2-Step Verification
2-step verification is a tool that provides an extra layer of security for your Square Account, protecting your account from unauthorised access. All you’ll need is a mobile phone number and an authentication app like Google Authenticator for iOS or Android, Microsoft Authenticator or Authy.
Note: Only one authentication app at a time can be used for 2-step verification. For example, you’re unable to use both Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator for two-step verification associated with one singular account. You can, however, add multiple phone numbers to provide more options when receiving the verification code.
How It Works
With 2-step verification, you will be asked to enter a verification code in addition to your password each time you sign in to your Square account. Once enabled for yourself, you can choose to require it for your team. By doing so, each team member associated with your Square account will need to enable their own verification methods.
If you don’t want to enter a verification code every time you sign in to the Square app or dashboard, select ‘Remember this device for 90 days’. Every 90 days, you’ll be asked to sign in with a verification code. This option can be re-enabled again once the 90 days are up.
Note: Only select the option to ‘Remember this device for 90 days’ from a computer or device that you own or control. Don’t set this option on public devices.
Set Up 2-Step Verification
Enabling 2-step verification will give you the option to receive a text message or use an authentication app for an added layer of security when logging in. To get started:
Enable text messaging:
Go to Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security from your online Square Dashboard.
Under 2-step verification, click Enable. Add your primary mobile phone number and click Continue.
You’ll then receive a verification code via text. Enter the verification code in the field on your dashboard and click Verify.
Enable an Authentication App
Download an authentication app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or Authy.
Go to Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security from your online Square Dashboard.
Under "2-step verification," click Enable > Use another method.
Select Authentication app > Next.
Open your authentication app, then scan the barcode. Click Next.
Enter the verification code generated by your authentication app.
Click Verify.
Note: If the QR code is not scanning from your authentication app, click Can't scan the QR code? to manually enter a key code.
If you’re having trouble using two-step verification, review these troubleshooting tips.
Team Members and 2-Step Verification
In addition to enabling 2-step verification for yourself, you can enable 2-step verification for team members on their own devices. A verification code will be required in addition to a password each time they sign in.
Important to note
Once 2-step verification for team members is enabled, the option to Disable 2-step verification for yourself will disappear unless you toggle the setting for team members off.
If you choose not to enable 2-step verification, team members will still have the option to enable the feature on an individual basis. They can follow the same steps above to enable it via the online Square Dashboard at any time.
Enable Business 2-step verification
To enable 2-step verification for team members:
Go to Account & Settings > Business information > Business security from your online Square Dashboard.
Under "Business 2-step verification," toggle on 2-step verification for team members.
When you enable this setting:
Existing team members will receive an email with instructions on how to complete the setup. If team members don’t enable 2-step verification after reading the email, they’ll be required to do so the next time they log in to their Square account.
New team members will automatically see a 2-step verification setup when they create a new team member account.
Important to note
If you choose to disable 2-step verification for team members after previously enabling it, 2-step verification will remain active for all team members who previously enrolled. Those team members will now see an option to Disable 2-step verification for themselves and will have to manually opt out if they so choose.
Once enabled, this feature applies to all team members and can’t be made optional for a select few. Team members logging in for the first time will see the option to set up 2-step verification in all Square apps, but please note that once set up, 2-step verification will need to be managed from the online Square Dashboard.
Disable Two-Step Verification
Account owners and Full-Access team members can change the 2-Step Verification settings of an account.
To disable 2-step verification:
Go to Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security from your online Square Dashboard.
Under ‘2-step verification’, click Manage 2-step verification.
To remove a verified phone number, select Remove next to the phone number in question.
To disable 2-Step Verification for your account, click Turn off 2-step verification.
Enter the verification code you received via text message or on your authentication app, then click Verify.
Click Turn off to confirm.
Note: If you have enabled 2-step verification for team members, ensure that you go to Account & Settings > Business information > Business security, then disable 2-step verification for team members. Once you've disabled team member verification, you can complete the steps above.
Update 2-Step Verification Phone Numbers
Once you enable 2-Step Verification, you can add additional phone numbers or a different authentication app in order to access your Square account. To do so:
Go to Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security from your online Square Dashboard.
Under ‘2-step verification’, click Manage 2-step verification.
To add a new verified phone number to your account, select Add 2-step verification phone number and continue through the verification process.
Learn more about protecting your Square account information.
Add a Secure Contact Method
In instances where Square detects unusual activity on your account and needs to contact the account holder, you can add an additional secure contact method to your Square account as a backup contact method. Adding a secondary contact method enhances account security and helps you access and recover your account, if needed. To do so:
Go to Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security from your online Square Dashboard.
Select Add phone number or Add email address, depending on which contact method you prefer.
Provide your contact details and select Continue to go through the verification process. You will be required to provide the verification code sent to your device.
If not enabled, toggle on Enable 2-step verification > Done.
If you ever need to update any of the secure contact methods for your account, go to Account & Settings, select Manage ways to verify that it’s you, proceed through the verification process and update the phone number or email address in question. Once your secure contact method is verified, you can also add it as a 2-Step Verification contact method.