Set up two-step verification
About two-step verification
When you set up and activate your Square account, you’ll be asked to enable two-step verification. Two-step verification is a tool that provides an extra layer of security for your Square account, protecting your account from unauthorised access.
You have two options for two-step verification:
Receive an SMS message
Use an authentication app
Once you set up your first verification method, you can select a backup method, either through an authentication app or an additional mobile number.
Before you begin
You can set up two-step verification from your Square Dashboard.
To set up two-step verification, you need a mobile phone number or an authentication app like Google Authenticator for iOS or Android, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy. You can only use one authentication app at a time.
If you don’t want to enter a verification code every time you sign in to the Square app or Square Dashboard, select Remember this device for 90 days. Every 90 days, you’ll need to sign in with a verification code. You can choose this option again once the 90 days are up.
Set up two-step verification
You can set up two-step verification in your Square Dashboard.
- Sign in to your Square Dashboard and select Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security.
- Under Two-step verification, select Enable. Add your primary mobile phone number and select Continue.
- You’ll receive a verification code via text. Enter the verification code in your Square Dashboard and select Verify.
- Download an authentication app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy.
- Sign in to your Square Dashboard and select Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security.
- Under Two-step verification, select Enable > Use another method.
- Select Authentication app > Next.
- Open your authentication app and scan the barcode.
- Select Next in your Square Dashboard.
- Enter the verification code generated in your authentication app.
- Select Verify.
If the QR code is not scanning from your authentication app, select Can’t scan the QR code? to manually enter a key code.
Enable two-step verification for team members
In addition to setting up two-step verification for yourself, you can set up two-step verification for team members on their own devices. Each time they sign in, they need their passcode and a verification code.
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 two-step verification after reading the email, they’ll be required to do so the next time they sign in to their Square account.
Any new team members you add will see a two-step verification setup when they create a new team member account.
To enable two-step verification for team members:
Sign in to your Square Dashboard and click Settings > Account & Settings > My business > Security.
Under Business two-step verification, toggle on Two-step verification for team members.
Add more two-step verification phone numbers
Once you enable two-step verification, you can add additional phone numbers or a different authentication app to access your Square account. To do so:
Sign in to your Square Dashboard and click Settings > Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security.
Under Two-step verification, click Manage two-step verification.
To add a new verified phone number to your account, select Add phone number and continue through the verification process.
Disable two-step verification
For account security, we recommend keeping two-step verification enabled on your account to help prevent fraud and unauthorised activity.
If you have enabled two-step verification for team members, you need to disable it first. To disable two-step verification for your team:
Sign in to your Square Dashboard and click Settings > Account & Settings > My business > Security.
For Business two-step verification, toggle off Two-step verification for team members.
To disable two-step verification for your business:
Sign in to your Square Dashboard and click Setting > Account & Settings > Personal Information > Sign in and security.
Under Two-step verification, click Manage two-step verification.
To remove a verified phone number, click Remove.
To disable two-step verification for your account, click Turn off two-step verification.
Enter the verification code you received via SMS message or on your authentication app, then click Verify.
Click Turn off to confirm.