13

Is it possible to use application-specific passwords on Google without going through all the hassles of the 2-step verification authentication?

What if I don't want to tie myself to a phone number on a PSTN, but still want to have some application-specific passwords?

6
  • That's not possible. Jan 20, 2014 at 4:36
  • 2
    @Sathya, why not?
    – cnst
    Jan 20, 2014 at 4:37
  • 4
    because it isn't supported. because app-specific passwords get flagged on your Google account only when you enable 2fA. Also, if you have a smartphone, you can install the Authenticator app, allowing for 2fA code generation, without the need for a data plan or for a constant phone number Jan 20, 2014 at 4:56
  • 7
    I still haven't seen any explanation for this policy anywhere except "because that's how it works". What is the reason for this decision by Google?! Isn't it obvious that app-specific passwords are valuable on their own so you don't have give your password to every app? Sep 20, 2016 at 13:04
  • 1
    It is indeed very stupid these two features are linked like that. My guess: Google wants to push you to use 2fa.
    – tcurdt
    Jul 25, 2018 at 23:58

1 Answer 1

9

I was able to work around this by turning on 2-step verification, setting up app passwords, then turning 2-step verification back off. When you turn it off, it asks if you want to clear verification data. I said no; I don't know whether that matters. After turning it off, the app passwords link is still available, and my applications still login fine.

7
  • Sounds great! I haven't tested this, but doing a +1 for you as you're a new user, and it sounds like this might indeed work. If someone else could confirm or deny this claim, that'd be great!
    – cnst
    Jul 17, 2014 at 18:19
  • 3
    I suspect Google may have disabled this workaround this week. I had been using it successfully until now. Can anyone confirm? Dec 4, 2015 at 17:11
  • 4
    Can confirm. I used to have an app-specific password like this from a few months ago. Today I tried to add a new app-specific password, and when I turned off 2-step verification (the last step in this process), the app passwords page says "The setting you are looking for is not available for your account." and the app-specific passwords do not work anymore. Dec 11, 2015 at 14:44
  • As of 2019 this workaround seems to be working again. After creating the app-specific password and turning off 2-step verification, I still see "App Passwords" in the security page (so far, at least for an hour an counting).
    – Jimmy He
    May 14, 2019 at 1:32
  • 3
    I can also confirm this does not work anymore as of 2020/05, what a shame. Jun 7, 2020 at 22:11

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.