Google Authenticator

Google LLC

About this app

Google Authenticator adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by adding a second step of verification when you sign in. This means that in addition to your password, you'll also need to enter a code that is generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone. The verification code can be generated by the Google Authenticator app on your phone, even if you don't have a network or mobile connection.
* Sync your Authenticator codes to your Google Account and across your devices. This way, you can always access them even if you lose your phone.
* Set up your Authenticator accounts automatically with a QR code. This is quick and easy, and it helps to ensure that your codes are set up correctly.
* Support for multiple accounts. You can use the Authenticator app to manage multiple accounts so that you don't have to switch between apps every time you need to sign in.
* Support for time-based and counter-based code generation. You can choose the type of code generation that best suits your needs.
* Transfer accounts between devices with a QR code. This is a convenient way to move your accounts to a new device.
* To use Google Authenticator with Google, you need to enable two-step verification on your Google Account. To get started visit http://www.google.com/2step Permission notice: Camera: Needed to add accounts using QR codes

Ratings and reviews

Works fine. However it plasters codes for everything you've ever set up, right onto your screen, all at the same time, every time you open it. This is an unnecessary security risk, and it makes finding the exact one I need, more difficult. There will never be a time that I need to see all codes together. It would be better if it showed a list of just names, in alphabetical order, so I could tap on the one I need, then show just that one code. Please consider making this an option.

Some idiot got rid of the time correction option for when codes slowly start to desync. Now, if I don't enter a code within the first 3 or 4 seconds of it refreshing, I'm told by the recipient site that it's invalid. I've had to un/reinstall the app, instead, and sync them from the cloud save, which has completely screwed with my list order (and messed with the names), which is a big problem if you've got a few dozen codes. I don't even know if it fixed it. Someone needs to fire and fix.

Truly awful. The world would be better without it. The app list doesn't update when apps are added or removed. This means you can't log into the web site, and invalidates your code from use in other authenticators. They get added at some point in the next 7 days, even though they can't work at that point. Removing them then doesn't work at all, so it just lists dozens of codes with the same name, and different codes, none of which work.

What's new

* Cloud syncing: Your Authenticator codes can now be synced to your Google Account and across your devices, so that you can always access them even if you lose your phone.
* Privacy Screen: Access to Authenticator can now be protected by your screen lock, PIN or biometric.
* Improved UX and visuals: We've made the app easier to use and more visually appealing.