google smart lock app iconA new update to Google's Smart Lock iOS app lets users set up their iPhone or iPad as a security key for two-factor authentication when signing into native Google services via Chrome browser.

Once the feature is set up in the app, attempting to log in to a Google service via Chrome on another device such as a laptop results in a push notification being sent to their iOS device.

The user then has to unlock their ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ using Face ID or Touch ID and confirm the log-in attempt via the Smart Lock app before it can complete on the other device.

After installing the update, users are asked to select a Google account to set up their phone's built-in security key. According to a Google cryptographer, the feature makes use of Apple's Secure Enclave hardware, which securely stores ‌Touch ID‌, ‌Face ID‌, and other cryptographic data on iOS devices.

The Smart Lock app requires that Bluetooth is enabled on both the ‌iPhone‌/‌iPad‌ and the other device for two-factor authentication to work, so they have to be in close proximity, but the advantage of the system is that it ensures the process is localized and can't be leaked onto the internet.

The Google Smart Lock app is a free download for ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ on the App Store. [Direct Link]

(Via 9to5Google.com)

Top Rated Comments

TriBruin Avatar
59 months ago

Can someone explain the functional difference between the 'Google'-app I have on my iPhone, which prompts me to verify it's me whenever I login to any Google-services?
The way I am reading this, is that it eliminates the push from Google and handles everything locally. When you attempt to sign-in, Chrome will check for the presence of your trusted device (iPhone) via local Bluetooth and prompt you directly. This, in theory, eliminates any chance for a bad actor intercepting the internet based push notification.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Westside guy Avatar
59 months ago
There are also standard ways to do two-factor auth, one of which is even implemented by Google through their Google Authenticator app (RFC 6238 time-based one-time passwords - I prefer the OTP Auth app for it) and can be implemented by any app developer for increased security without having to be beholden to Google or any other single entity. I realize some people will complain about having to copy 6 digits (oh the horror), but I prefer standard solutions like that to tying my security to Google - or, for that matter, to having all these vendor-specific two-factor approaches (Apple does it one way, Google does it another, etc.).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
1144557 Avatar
59 months ago

The way I am reading this, is that it eliminates the push from Google and handles everything locally. When you attempt to sign-in, Chrome will check for the presence of your trusted device (iPhone) via local Bluetooth and prompt you directly. This, in theory, eliminates any chance for a bad actor intercepting the internet based push notification.
You would think that is incredibly hard already to crack/spoof an Apple push notification from the Google app itself; far more than SMS. I dont know that this new way offers much more to the average person. In a very high security environment using Goole Apps (not sure why you would do that to begin with then, but ok) I guess.

Its also unclear how not needing an internet connection would help if you are logging into Google which requires internet. That argument doesnt make a ton of sense obviously.

Not knocking more options, its just a bit unclear the differences between this and using the Google app to authenticate 2FA.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vincent Verbist Avatar
59 months ago

The way I am reading this, is that it eliminates the push from Google and handles everything locally. When you attempt to sign-in, Chrome will check for the presence of your trusted device (iPhone) via local Bluetooth and prompt you directly. This, in theory, eliminates any chance for a bad actor intercepting the internet based push notification.
Okay, that's something I can understand, but still strange that there is not a single reference to the current solution through the Google app...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vincent Verbist Avatar
59 months ago
Can someone explain the functional difference between the 'Google'-app I have on my iPhone, which prompts me to verify it's me whenever I login to any Google-services?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Less Than Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Thursday July 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
icloud private relay outage

iCloud Private Relay Experiencing Outage

Thursday July 25, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...