Google Authenticator Now Supports Backing Up 2FA Codes Using Google Account

Monday April 24, 2023 11:46 am PDT by Juli Clover

The Google Authenticator app used to store one-time access codes for account security now supports backups and syncing across devices using a Google Account, Google announced today.

With Google Account support, one-time passwords can be saved in the cloud, so if you lose the device with your Google Authenticator app installed, you won't lose access to all of your authentication codes. Prior to the integration of Google Account support, all codes in the Google Authenticator app were stored on device, which is problematic when a device is lost.

Google says with one-time passwords available in a Google Account, users are "better protected from lockout," increasing convenience and security. Google Account integration for Google Authenticator is available on both iOS and Android devices. Adding Google Account support will require signing into the account in the Google Authenticator app, and once that is done, codes will be automatically backed up and restored on any new device where you sign in to your Google Account.

The latest version of the app is required, and on iPhone and iPad, it can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: Google

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Top Rated Comments

0924487

46 months ago

Seems like a bad idea…

Google has your keys.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Sydnxt

46 months ago

Do you guys honestly think Google employees will be using your 2FA keys to login to your accounts?

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️

46 months ago

Sorry, but I have mad trust issues with Google. :confused:

Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

icanhazmac

46 months ago

Do you guys honestly think Google employees will be using your 2FA keys to login to your accounts?

No.

What does concern me is what other information they are able to skim off my device simply because I have their app installed (location, clip board contents, etc.) that adds to their already voluminous collection. Simple as that.

Example: WTF does Google need my contacts for in order for the authenticator app to work? Why are they collecting Search History? Location?!!?! F Google!

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

julianps

46 months ago

I think the desirability of this new feature depends on how you use Google Authenticator. If you use GA 2FA codes for anything sensitive or confidential, such as banking (risk: losing control over a checking account or credit card) or mobile phone carrier accounts (risk: becoming the victim of a SIM swapping attack), it's probably better to copy the codes over to another device manually. That way you maintain complete control over critical information and avoid any exposure to the cloud.

But for logins that aren't for anything that needs to be kept private or secure, syncing via your Google account probably is OK in most circumstances.

In any case, I hope passkeys ('https://tidbits.com/2022/06/27/why-passkeys-will-be-simpler-and-more-secure-than-passwords/') become widely adopted soon. Then all the time and effort we spend dealing with passwords and 2FA can be used on something more fun or more productive.

I use the Authenticator feature in Apple's Keychain. It syncs between iOS/iPadOS and MacOS and I keep the verification codes in the Notes/Comments field. iOS backup acts as insurance. And (for now) I trust Apple more than Google (Authenticator) or Microsoft (Authenticator). I did consider BitWarden, but why bother when Keychain is ubiquitous?

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

klasma

46 months ago

I wonder what the details of this picture are supposed to tell us: 🤔

Our starry 2FA keys are taking a partially discontinuous, convoluted path into a Google snowflake, and then fly away like birds, while clouds are passing by?

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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Google Authenticator Now Supports Backing Up 2FA Codes Using Google Account

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