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When signing in to a Gmail or Google account, Google may sometimes require an additional verification step. If you cannot use your usual verification method, such as your phone, SMS, or Google Authenticator, you can use a Backup Code instead.

Backup Codes are part of Google's 2-Step Verification system and can be especially useful when accessing an account from a computer or browser where another verification method is not available.

What Are Gmail Backup Codes?

Google Backup Codes are one-time verification codes that can be used as an alternative to your normal 2-Step Verification method.

Each Backup Code is an 8-digit code, and Google normally provides a set of 10 Backup Codes.

For example:

1234 5678 2345 6789 3456 7890 ...

Each code can be used only once.

After a Backup Code has been successfully used to sign in, that specific code becomes inactive and cannot be used again.

How to Set Up Gmail Backup Codes

Before creating Backup Codes, make sure 2-Step Verification is enabled on your Google account.

Step 1: Open Your Google Account

Go to your Google Account and open the Security section.

Then find:

How you sign in to Google → 2-Step Verification

You may need to sign in again to access these settings.

Step 2: Find Backup Codes

Inside the 2-Step Verification settings, look for Backup codes.

Click Continue.

Google will then display the Backup Codes available for your account.

Step 3: Save Your Backup Codes

Google allows you to:

• View your Backup Codes
• Download the codes
• Print the codes
• Generate a new set of codes
• Delete the existing codes

It is recommended to store them somewhere secure because anyone who has access to your Backup Codes may be able to use them as a second verification method when signing in.

How to Use a Backup Code

When you sign in to your Gmail account and Google asks for a verification method, you can select:

Try another way

Then select:

Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes

Enter one of your unused Backup Codes and complete the login process.

For example:

Google Login      ↓ 2-Step Verification      ↓ Try another way      ↓ Enter one of your 8-digit backup codes      ↓ Enter an unused Backup Code      ↓ Login completed

If you are using Gmail through a browser-based automation tool, the Backup Code is used for the Google verification step during the browser login process. It does not replace the Google account password.

How Many Times Can a Backup Code Be Used?

This is one of the most important things to understand.

One Backup Code can only be used once.

For example, if Google gives you 10 Backup Codes:

After using Code 1, it cannot be used again.

If you still have other unused codes, you can use another one when Google asks for a Backup Code.

Therefore, one set of 10 Backup Codes can provide up to 10 successful verification uses, assuming each code is used once.

What Happens When All Backup Codes Are Used?

If you have used all your Backup Codes, you can generate a new set of 10 codes from your Google Account's 2-Step Verification settings.

You can also generate a new set before using all the existing codes.

However, there is an important point:

When you generate a new set of Backup Codes, the previous set automatically becomes inactive.

So you should not generate a new set while expecting the old codes to continue working.

Can I Reuse an Old Backup Code?

No.

Once a Backup Code has been used successfully, it becomes inactive.

For example:

Backup Code: 1234 5678 
First use:  ✅ Valid Second use: ❌ Invalid

You need to use another unused Backup Code instead.

Backup Codes vs. Other Google Verification Methods

Backup Codes are only one of the verification methods available for Google accounts.

Depending on your account and security settings, Google may also use:

• Google Authenticator
• SMS verification
• Phone verification
• Security keys
• Passkeys
• Other Google verification methods

Backup Codes are particularly useful as a fallback when your normal verification method is unavailable.

Important Security Tips

Backup Codes should be treated as sensitive account security information.

Do not share your Backup Codes publicly.

Google states that it will ask for a Backup Code when signing in, and you should not provide your codes to someone who asks for them through email, chat, or other messages.

If you believe your Backup Codes have been exposed, lost, or used up, generate a new set. Creating a new set automatically invalidates the previous set.

Using Gmail Backup Codes with Browser-Based Sending

For users who access Gmail through a browser-based email sending solution, Backup Codes can be useful when Google requires an additional verification step during login.

The important thing to remember is:

Backup Codes are one-time verification codes, not permanent login codes.

If a Gmail account has 10 unused Backup Codes, you have 10 individual codes available. Once a code has been used, that specific code cannot be reused.

This makes it important to keep track of which codes have already been used.

Quick Summary

How many Backup Codes do you get?
Usually 10 codes per set.

How many times can one Backup Code be used?
One time only.

What happens after using a code?
That code becomes inactive.

Can you get more codes?
Yes. You can generate a new set of 10 codes.

What happens to the old codes after generating a new set?
The old set becomes inactive.

Do you need 2-Step Verification?
Yes. Backup Codes are part of Google's 2-Step Verification system.

Can Backup Codes replace the Gmail password?
No. They are used as an alternative second verification step when signing in.