Google's Two-Factor Authentication App Pulled From App Store After Broken Update

Google has pulled its Google Authenticator app from the App Store following an update that removes all stored accounts when installed.

The app is used with Google's two-factor authentication service to make logging in to Google accounts more secure.

TechCrunch reports that users who don't have a trusted computer will need to reset their all stored tokens on Google that allow other services like Dropbox or Evernote to connect to users' Google accounts.

Updating the app removes all your existing accounts, with users complaining in reviews for the update that they’ve lost their Dropbox, Google Apps, DreamHost, Twilio, Evernote and other tokens after updating and have been forced to sync each over again. It could leave you locked out of your accounts entirely and forced to contact support for a reset, as Dashlane’s co-founder Alexis Fogel tells us is happening with his service, and it’s something that will also result in an awful lot of unnecessary busy work to set up things that have already been set up before.

The update points to a larger potential problem with iOS 7, where app updates will download automatically onto iOS devices. MacRumors has heard from several iOS 7 beta testers who lost their account info on Google Authenticator because the update was downloaded automatically when it was released.

iOS 7 users do have the option to revert to the manual update scheme used in prior versions of iOS.

There is no word from Google on when the app will be updated and returned to the App Store. The update also includes a new design with a flat icon to match Apple's iOS 7 look-and-feel.

Google Authenticator is normally available free from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

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supmango

83 months ago

This isn't an OS problem. It's a problem with developers not properly testing apps before they are distributed.

Rating: 11 Votes

SandboxGeneral

83 months ago

iOS 7 users do have the option to revert to the manual update scheme used in prior versions of iOS.

This will be one of the things I'll be doing when iOS 7 comes to my devices.

Rating: 6 Votes

Goldfrapp

83 months ago

Big freakin' deal. :rolleyes:

All you, people, had to do was re-scan the barcode found in your account settings and you'd be good to go.

People love to dramatize, I tell ya.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Rating: 4 Votes

baryon

83 months ago

Software updates: Ruining everything, every time, for everyone since 2001.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Rating: 3 Votes

Rigby

83 months ago

The text of this article is inaccurate. The Authenticator app has nothing to do with allowing "other services like Dropbox or Evernote to connect to users' Google accounts", and it does not "store tokens on Google". It just needs to be re-synced with with any accounts that you use it for (e.g. Dropbox, Google etc.).

Rating: 3 Votes

Eraserhead

83 months ago

Software updates: Ruining everything, every time, for everyone since 2001.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Except for all the bugs and security issues that are fixed by updates...

Google should be reconsidering their delivery process here for this screwup.

Rating: 2 Votes

NightFox

83 months ago

Google Authenticator is normally available free (http://appshopper.com/utilities/google-authenticator) from the App Store. [Direct Link (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id388497605?mt=8)

Cool, a direct link to something that doesn't exist.... That's, like, far out man :cool:

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This article says you cannot disable auto updates in iOS 7. You can - see screenshot...

The article says you can disable them in iOS7 :confused:

Rating: 1 Votes

MacBoy88

83 months ago

How do you get into your account without your generated passcode? I think that is what people are freaking out about.

Big freakin' deal. :rolleyes:

All you, people, had to do was re-scan the barcode found in your account settings and you'd be good to go.

People love to dramatize, I tell ya.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Rating: 1 Votes

curmudgeon32

83 months ago

The update points to a larger potential problem with iOS 7, where app updates will download automatically onto iOS devices.

iOS 7 users do have the option to revert to the manual update scheme used in prior versions of iOS.

Whoa, really? I've had plenty of times I've held off updating an app for one reason or another. This sucks.

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Big freakin' deal. :rolleyes:

All you, people, had to do was re-scan the barcode found in your account settings and you'd be good to go.

People love to dramatize, I tell ya.

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Sure. For your GOOGLE account yes. But you're aware Authenticator works for other accounts too, right? And that resetting their tokens as well can be an annoying, time-consuming task?

Rating: 1 Votes

Dave-Z

83 months ago

Single, biggest reason I will not be enabling iOS 7 auto updates.

I really do wish 1Password would incorporate this though.

Rating: 1 Votes

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