Why is Google using YouTube instead of text for 2-step verification for this forum?

[MplsCustomer]

Why is Google now using YouTube instead of sending a text message to one's cell phone with a verification code when signing onto this Google Nest Community on a mobile device? There is no mention anywhere on my Google account about using YouTube for 2-step verification.

On the Google Account Help forum, a question was posted about this in January 2022, but was unanswered and locked: https://support.google.com/accounts/thread/145719755/2-step-verification-is-asking-me-to-use-youtube...

In searching via Google, there seems to be no information whatsoever on this.

And why does Google identify an iPad as a "Mac device" after this verification is performed?

[nannvn]

This is still happening to me.

[MplsCustomer]

@nannvn 

There has been no comment, response, or acknowledgment  from Google since this issue was first posted in January 2022.

[Thiago0J]

any news?

I'm from Brazil and I'm having the same problem.

It's asking to open youtube and type the code, but nothing appears

[Thiago0J]

I found a temporary solution.

you need to access the device in question that is with youtube and log off.

At least with me, when I did that, it sent SMS to the registered cell phone again.

need to test why you made the device default in two step verification.

[Azarco]

Hey folks,

This channel is for troubleshooting Google devices. It is best to report this with YouTube support for better assistance. If you need help with your Google Home/Nest devices, please do not hesitate to reply as I'll be locking this thread after 24 hours.

Best,

Alex

[MplsCustomer]

@Azarco 

This is an issue with how a user get authenticated when the user first accesses THIS Google Nest Community on a mobile device. It is NOT a YouTube issue.

[Azarco]

Hey MplsCustomer,

Is it also happening when you're using a different Google Account? Do you still have a problem setting up your Google devices?

Thanks,

Alex

[MplsCustomer]

@Azarco 

I only use one Google account to access this forum.  It occurred once on my iPhone and once on my iPad the first time I logged onto this forum on those devices; in those two cases, the two-step verification used YouTube instead of my phone number which I thought was very strange, and totally undocumented anywhere.  I do NOT have any problem setting up Google devices.

[Valhalla]

It's happening when I'm trying to sign into my gmail account.  Just happened yesterday.

[Dan_A]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to follow up if you've all reported this to YouTube support since this channel is for troubleshooting Google devices. If you need help with your Google Home/Nest devices, please do not hesitate to reply as I'll be locking this thread after 24 hours.

Thanks,

Dan

[MplsCustomer]

@Dan_A 

This has nothing whatever to do with YouTube support. When signing onto THIS Google Nest Community forum on an iPad, Google uses YouTube for 2-step authentication, even though there is NOTHING on my Google account about using YouTube for this.

Six months after posting this, Google Nest Support has still not responded with why they do this.

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

I'm chiming in to ensure you've got the answer you're looking for. Feel free to let us know if you have more questions about this.

Regards,

Dan

[MplsCustomer]

@Dan_A

There has been no answer at all from Google Nest as to WHY, when signing onto THIS Google Nest Community forum on an iPad, Google uses YouTube for 2-step authentication, even though there is NOTHING on my Google account about using YouTube for any authentication on my account.

[Jiselle]

I’m having the same issue as well ! I was wondering if I was being hacked ! 

[Colton81]

Do you even read the post or do you just see “YouTube “ and automatically assume it’s about YouTube? 

[Jiselle]

maybe because they haven’t solved the issue or responded helpfully ! 

[Bnb]

I think everyone found his post very helpful. At least we all know this is a widespread issue and not someone attempting to hack us. 

[Jiselle]

Exactly and up to now google has not responded smh 🤦🏻‍♀️ 

[T_D]

I too would like an answer to this question.  I have signed out of my YouTube acct on my device (iPad) and even deleted the app, but gmail still shows verifying by clicking on the iPad YouTube app as the default option for 2-step verification.  I would prefer to be able to set default to texting my mobile as it was previously.

[dlarvinatx]

I think this may be an issue with mac/ios devices logging into google...I'm having the same issue

[Valhalla]

I'm trying to log into my gmail account on my PC laptop.  Always sent a text in the past for 2 step verification, and suddenly yesterday sent me to YouTube.  Nothing in my security settings about YouTube.  Why do they keep locking the thread when there are not any answers??  

[Ssza]

So, it goggle required to verify via YouTube and send 2-digit code to there. If I can’t receive. What should I move forward for login to Google?

[TAC_2008]

I recognize that this is a "Nest" forum, but I had this same issue trying to log into my work Chrome account on an "unrecognized device" yesterday.  I had recalled seeing earlier this year that Google was making the change to two-factor authentication required, and I didn't make any changes.  I was lucky that I had my regular work computer and was able to go into my privacy settings on a recognized device (Upper right corner of Chrome>Manage your Google Account>Security>"Ways we can verify it's you").  I think it was attempting the YouTube verification because I didn't have a recovery phone or email address affiliated with my Google account for work.  Once I added my personal cell phone, I was able to go back to the "unrecognized device" and successfully sign in.

[TMarrs62]

There is no such area "Ways we can verify it's you"

[Ghosted_A]

I have the same issue. It's been 3 times already when signing in to my google account that it sends a code to my youtube account instead of email or text, both of which I have set up as recovery, NOT my youtube account. This is very unpractical for me and is causing me issues, added to the fact that is way more unsafe than regular 2-factor authentication. I have been looking through my google account and nowhere it is mentioned that youtube may be used for this purpose, nor does it give you the option to opt-out or change it. I see some posts in this thread are some months old. When and why was this implemented? Is it being introduced into people's accounts at random? How do we disable it? I sign in to my google regularly and this is a new occurrence for me. Does anyone have any information that could be of help? It seems like the google staff are refusing to address the situation.

[knewland397]

I think I found release from the 2-step YouTube verification torture chamber...at least for me. If this helps anyone else...good. If everyone's figured it out...ok, I am late to the party.

I went into the Google App on my iPhone and disabled the 2-step verification (that I do not recall ever turning on). I tested it out just before positing this message and I was NOT asked to verify my identity via YouTube. 

Chrome or Gmail app > Settings > Manage Your Google Account > Security > 2-step verification > Off

Instructions found at: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1064203?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS

[MplsCustomer]

@James 

Why did you decide to flag this as "Recommended Answer"?   It is simply incorrect for Google Nest to suggest this is the answer.

I do NOT want to turn off 2-step verification.  I simply want Google Nest to use the verification method that I chose, and that most people choose, namely my phone, rather than substituting YouTube without even asking me. 

After 9 months, Google Nest won't even acknowledge that it is using this inappropriate 2-step verification method.

[Valhalla]

@James exactly! 

[Jiselle]

Exactly! 

[millieteigannx]

I have tried the yet its still not working its still asking. me to sign onto YouTube

[knewland397]

I posted a response that seems to have disappeared. Here is the abridged version.

I was able to change the setting using the Chrome App on my iPhone. When I tried this from my MacBook, the 2-step showed it was turned off, which was frustrating. However, on the iPhone, the 2-step was turned on and once I turned it off, I was able to log in without the use of YouTube. I, as others have mentioned, don't recall setting up the 2-step verification in the first place.

Google Chrome App or Gmail App > Manage Your Google Account > Security > 2-step Verification > Off

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1064203?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS

[Valhalla]

All you did was turn off 2 step verification.  I want 2 step verification, but I want it as a text to my phone, not a message to YouTube, which is not even listed as an option.  That's what this thread is about, not about shutting off 2 step verification.

[Jiselle]

Exactly 

[lq1]

did anyone found a solution i still get sent 2fa time sensitive  to youtube.

[Valhalla]

It just did the same thing to me.  No explanation, and it is not listed anywhere on my security settings. ???

[James · Accepted solution]

Hey everyone,

Thanks all for your patience on this post, and sorry for the confusion. I originally pinned a response by @knewland397 as a helpful workaround for some folks on the thread, but I understand that it didn’t answer the whole question. Happy to shed some light on the situation here!

Prompts like this are intended to be easier than entering a verification code to log in, and you can receive them from not only the Youtube app, but the Gmail app, Google Photos app, and more. To learn more about prompts and how they help keep your account safe, stop by our Help Center.

To answer your question of why your Nest Community account is impacted, our community uses the same Google Account authentication as the rest of Google services.

For future reference, our friends over at the Google Account Help Community are best equipped to help you with these types of questions. This forum is meant to host discussion about apps and accounts as they relate to Google Home and Nest.

Hope this helps!

Best,
James

[Peter1989]

The problem is that the YouTube app doesn't seem to work. The prompt is to go to the YouTube app and open it and press on the number displayed to verify your identity. But when the YouTube app is opened, no number is displayed and therefore you cannot verify your identity. Unfortunately it seems to be focused on YouTube rather than offering other methods such as verify through Gmail app or text message, essentially locking people out of their own accounts. I'd appreciate it if you raised this issue with support please.

[hammockking]

It seems this was first posted in May 2022.

It's now April 2023 and I just purchased my new Nest Learning thermostat and some other Nest products and am running into the same issue as everyone has relayed here. 

@James, I understand that Google has migrated two-factor authentication through their other apps. Personally, I don't mind using other Google apps to verify my identity over text messaging (which can be hacked), as long as it works.

The problem is that my YouTube app never loads to allow me to select the number I'm seeing in the Nest app when attempting to create my new Nest account/login into my Google account through the Nest app. That's what others have been trying to say.

Also, I've never had two-factor authentication on for my Google accounts, and am still having this issue. The workaround doesn't work for or apply to me.

I purchased a number of other Nest products to work with my Thermostat, and would really appreciate an answer to this sooner rather than later.

[Nestless1]

First of all, I didn't realize this was a Nest community when I googled why Google was sending verification codes to youtube. Your thread was the first one to pop up addressing the YouTube issue.

I do not own a Nest. But I was trying to sign on to my computer, and this 2-step YouTube problem happened. YouTube didn't even work - no code was given and my screen just spun trying to load YouTube. However, whoever suggested turning off 2-step notification form my google account: thank you. That's the only thing that worked for me. I am now signed back on to my computer. I used my phone to access my google account, turned off 2-step notification, logged on to my computer, and went back in to my google account via my phone to turn back on 2-step notification. And by the way, the only 2 options google gives for notification is your cell phone number or email. Nothing about YouTube.  Apologies to the Nest community for invading your forum - truly hope this solution helps some of you struggling with this issue. And clearly this is not a Nest exclusive issue, as I don't own one!