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.

How It Works

With 2-Step Verification, you and your team members will be asked to enter a verification code each time you sign in to your Square Account.

Instal 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 team members to set up the feature and use it to log in to the account. To enable 2-Step Verification:

1. Sign in to your online dashboard and navigate to Account & Settings.
2. Click Activate 2-Step Verification.
3. Follow the prompt to download the Google Authenticator app on your device
4. Use your device to scan the QR code or manually enter the one-time set up code.
5. Click Verify.

Team Members and 2-Step Verification

Although team members will always be required to use 2-Step Verification to sign in to the online Dashboard, an administrator can allow team members 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 Team Members.”
Set your permissions by selecting “Require team members to use 2-Step Verification” or “Allow team members to skip 2-Step Verification.”
Click Save.

Note: This feature applies to all team members 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 Team Members

If you enable 2-Step Verification on your account, new team members will automatically see 2-Step Verification setup when they create a new team member account.

Existing Team Members

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:

1. From Account & Settings on the online Dashboard, click Change 2-Step Verification Settings.
2. Update your settings or click Disable 2-Step Verification to remove the feature entirely for you and all employees.