> ## AI Agent Context
> Get the complete documentation index at: https://aistudio.google.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages.
> For the full documentation in a single file, fetch: https://aistudio.google.com/llms-full.txt

# Project and account verification

Google AI Studio and the Gemini API require mobile device verification on some free tier projects and accounts. This check helps prevent automated abuse and keeps the free tier available for developers. You scan a QR code with your phone without sharing a phone number or installing an app.

Paid tier projects do not require project verification. You can [set up billing](/docs/billing#setup-billing) at any time to use the paid tier instead.

{% button href="https://aistudio.google.com/projects" variant="ais" %}Open Projects in AI Studio{% /button %}

## Verification requirements  {% id="when-required" %}

You may need to complete mobile device verification in two situations:

* **Project verification**: Required for the free tier on additional projects or projects created outside Google AI Studio. Unverified projects show **Verification needed** on [Projects](https://aistudio.google.com/projects) and return `403` (`FREE_TIER_VERIFICATION_REQUIRED`).
* **Account verification**: Required if Google AI Studio detects unusual activity on your Google Account. Google AI Studio shows an "Account verification required to restore access" message with a **Verify your account** link.

When a free tier project requires verification, the API returns an error message with your project's verification link:

```none
Project 123456789012 must be verified before it can use the Gemini API Free tier. Verify the project at https://aistudio.google.com/verify?project=123456789012, or set up billing at https://aistudio.google.com/billing to use the paid tier instead. Learn more at https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/verification.
```

## Verify a free tier project  {% id="verify-project" %}

You need permission to edit a Google Cloud project before you can verify it. Make sure your account has the **Owner** or **Editor** IAM role on the project.

1. Open the verification link from the error message (`https://aistudio.google.com/verify?project=PROJECT_NUMBER`), or click **Verify project** on the [Projects](https://aistudio.google.com/projects) page.
2. Click **Verify device**.
3. Scan the QR code with your Android phone or iPhone camera, then follow the prompt on your phone.
4. Wait for the "Project verified" confirmation, then retry your API request or click **Get API key**.

{% callout type="note" %}
  Creating a new API key in the same unverified project does not bypass verification. Google applies verification at the Google Cloud project level.

{% /callout %}

## Use the paid tier without verification  {% id="use-paid-tier" %}

If you prefer not to verify with a mobile device, upgrade your project to the paid tier:

1. Click **Set up billing** on the verification page or dialog, or next to the project on [Projects](https://aistudio.google.com/projects) or [API keys](https://aistudio.google.com/api-keys).
2. Select or create an active Cloud Billing account for your project and add [Prepay credits](/docs/billing#prepay) if prompted.

Google bills paid-tier usage at [Gemini API pricing](/docs/pricing) or deducts it from eligible credits. Google Cloud Free Trial accounts stay on the free tier until you upgrade them. Prepay accounts also need a positive credit balance.

## Verify your account  {% id="verify-account" %}

If Google AI Studio prompts you to verify your Google Account due to unusual activity:

1. Open [aistudio.google.com/verify-account](https://aistudio.google.com/verify-account) while signed in to the affected Google Account.
2. Click **Verify device** and scan the QR code with your Android phone or iPhone camera.
3. Follow the prompt on your phone, then click **Go to AI Studio** once verification succeeds.

If you prefer not to verify your account, [set up billing](/docs/billing#setup-billing) and use a paid tier API key in Google AI Studio instead.

## Device requirements  {% id="device-requirements" %}

Mobile device verification uses Google reCAPTCHA to check device integrity on a physical phone:

* **Android**: An Android phone with Google Play services and an internet connection. Rooted phones or phones with unlocked bootloaders do not pass.
* **iPhone**: An iPhone running iOS 16.4 or later with an internet connection and App Clips turned on. Scanning the QR code opens a lightweight App Clip without installing an app.

Desktop computers, emulators, and virtual devices cannot complete verification.

## Troubleshoot verification issues  {% id="troubleshoot" %}

Use the following table to resolve common verification messages in Google AI Studio.

| Error message | Cause | Resolution |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| `We couldn't verify this project with your device` | Your phone reached its verification limit across projects or failed device security checks. | Try another eligible phone, try again later, or [set up billing](/docs/billing#setup-billing) to use the paid tier. On iPhone, allow App Clips under **Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > App Clips**. |
| `We couldn't verify your account with this device` | Your phone reached its recent verification limit or failed device security checks. | Try another eligible phone, try again later, or [set up billing](/docs/billing#setup-billing) and use a paid tier API key. On iPhone, allow App Clips under **Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > App Clips**. |
| `Something went wrong while verifying your device` | A network rule or browser extension blocked Google reCAPTCHA scripts. | Allow `google.com` and `gstatic.com` on `aistudio.google.com`, turn off ad blockers, or retry in a private window. |
| `You need permission to edit this project to verify it` | Your Google Account can view the project but lacks `resourcemanager.projects.update` permission. | Ask a project **Owner** or **Editor** to verify it. Custom roles need `resourcemanager.projects.get` and `resourcemanager.projects.update` (see [IAM permissions](/docs/troubleshoot-ai-studio#iam-permissions)). |
| `Project not found` | The project number is invalid, the project is inactive, or your Google Account lacks `resourcemanager.projects.get` access. | Sign in to a Google Account with project access, or select an active project on [Projects](https://aistudio.google.com/projects). |

## Limitations  {% id="limitations" %}

* Each mobile device can verify a limited number of projects or accounts within a rolling period.
* Verification requires a supported Android phone or iPhone and does not support SMS, voice calls, or hardware security keys.

## What's next  {% id="whats-next" %}

* [Using Gemini API keys](/docs/api-key): Create and manage API keys for your verified projects.
* [Billing](/docs/billing): Upgrade a project to the paid tier and manage Prepay credits.
* [Troubleshooting guide](/docs/troubleshooting): Diagnose other `403` and API errors.