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 cellular 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 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 2-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

In the last couple of weeks (June 2023) it stopped working on my Android phone. Seems to me some update to the Android system that caused the issue. I tried on 2 android devices. I did everything from reinstalling, syncing the time, nothing works. I searched for other options, nothing helped. It works on Apple devices, but not Android. If they don't fix it soon, I will have to switch to another app.

Like the other reviewers, this app really needs some work. The basic ability to categorize and group your different accounts, perhaps even tag them or put colour labels, customizable icons, or anything at all to help give them better shape. Maybe even the option to change the layout so that you are looking at thumbnails and can have more on the screen. Literally anything at all as right now it is a barebones list.

Would love to give this app 5 stars, as it’s a straightforward design that does one thing well. Almost. Since earlier this year, the app has not refreshed its list of authentication codes when the 60-second countdown timer rolls over. Given that many sites don’t have a grace period for codes from the preview 1-2 minutes, this is a stupid UI misdesign or bug (I’m going with the latter). The lack of a fix makes me wonder if Google hasn’t abandoned this product.

What's new

* Added device encryption to storage of secret values.