Google seems to have started to require two-factor authentication

Google appears to have begun mandating two-factor authentication for some users. The company said last month that it would enable 2fa for everyone by default and now seems to be doing so.

According to AndroidPolice, there are several users on Reddit who now indicate that Google has enabled two-step verification for users who did not have it. It seems to be about users who have turned off 2fa in the past or have previously indicated that they do not want it, for various reasons. The company previously warned users via email that 2fa would be enabled automatically.

Users being transferred must specify one of their devices to enable 2fa. A prompt will then appear on that device to confirm that they are logging in. Google also refers to alternatives such as SMS or a top app such as Google Authenticator.

Google said last month that it would set up two-step verification for 150 million accounts before the end of the year. These are accounts of users that are relatively easy to transfer to 2fa, because, for example, they have already set up a recovery option in case users lose their phone.