Unable to verify Gmail account on iPhone 16 using YouTube app

New iPhone 16 and trying to gain access to my Gmail account. After entering my username and password I am given a code on that screen and I am told to open YouTube app to 'tap yes' when prompted and to enter the code in order to verify my Gmail account. When I open YouTube app I am not prompted to do anything. When I try to sign in I am told to sign in via Gmail. And everything starts all over again. I was sent two verification codes via text from Google but cannot enter them in the YouTube app because there's no where to enter a code.

My phone has the latest OS, I've shut it down and restarted it, I've uninstalled and reinstalled YouTube app. I've chatted with Apple but told to contact Google. How?! There's no way of contacting them.

[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: 2fma Gmail fail