2-step verification is a tool that provides an extra layer of security for your Square Account, protecting your account from unauthorised access.
How It Works
With 2-Step Verification, you and your employees will be asked to enter a verification code each time you sign in to your Square Account.
Install Google Authenticator to generate codes using your iOS or Android device. You can use the Google Authenticator app to receive codes even if you don’t have an internet or data connection.
If you don’t want to enter a verification code every time, select “Remember this device for 30 days” in your Square Dashboard. Every 30 days, you’ll be asked to sign in with a verification code.
Note: Only select the option to “Remember this device for 30 days” from a computer or device that you own or control. Don’t set this option on public devices. To cancel a 30 day session, reset your Square account password.
Set Up 2-Step Verification
Turning on 2-Step Verification for an account will automatically require all employees to set up the feature and use it to log in to the account. To enable 2-Step Verification:
- Sign in to your online dashboard and navigate to Account & Settings.
- Click Activate 2-Step Verification.
- Follow the prompt to download the Google Authenticator app on your device
- Use your device to scan the QR code or manually enter the one-time set up code.
- Click Verify.
Employees and 2-Step Verification
Although employees will always be required to use 2-Step Verification to sign in to the online Dashboard, an administrator can allow employees to skip the 2-Step Verification step to sign in to your Square app. Making it optional for employees to access your Square app isn’t suggested, as it will reduce the security of your account, but the option is helpful if an employee can’t download the Google Authenticator app.
To manage 2-Step Verification settings for the Square Point of Sale app, follow the steps below:
Go to your online Dashboard and click “Enable for All Employees.”
Set your permissions by selecting “Require employees to use 2-Step Verification” or “Allow employees to skip 2-Step Verification.”
Click Save.
Note: This feature applies to all employees and can’t be made optional for a select few.
If you’re running into trouble using 2-step verification, review these troubleshooting tips.
New Employees
If you enable 2-Step Verification on your account, new employees will automatically see 2-Step Verification setup when they create a new employee account.
Existing Employees
After 2-step verification is enabled on an account, existing employees will receive an email with instructions on how to complete setup. If employees don’t turn on 2-step verification after reading the email, they’ll be required to do so the next time they try to sign in to the Square Account, unless the account administrator set the option to skip this step.
Edit or Disable 2-Step Verification
Account administrators can change the 2-Step Verification settings of an account. To do so:
- From Account & Settings on the online Dashboard, click Change 2-Step Verification Settings.
- Update your settings or click Disable 2-Step Verification to remove the feature entirely for you and all employees.