How Do I Use Google Authenticator On An App

Google Authenticator works with 2-Step Verification for your Google Account to provide an additional layer of security when signing in.

With 2-Step Verification, signing into your account will require both your password and a verification code you can generate with this app. Once configured, you can get verification codes without the need for a network or cellular connection.

Features include:
- Automatic setup via QR code
- Support for multiple accounts
- Support for time-based and counter-based code generation
- Transfer accounts between devices via QR code

To use Google Authenticator with Google, you need to enable 2-Step Verification on your Google Account. Visit http://www.google.com/2step to get started.

What's New

Oct 20, 2021

Version 3.3.0

Ratings and Reviews

2.2 out of 5

2.6K Ratings

Risky Choice for 2FA

Using an authenticator app for 2FA is seen as a top choice for securing access to sensitive accounts over other methods. However, when the app stops loading, and instead crashes on open, you can easily lose access to these accounts if you're relying on the app for 2FA and you don't have backup methods configured (or physically accessible to you in the moment). This app is quite terrible in terms of its support and user experience. It did work, at one point, and now it doesn't which means that I can never rely on it again. I've been slowing shifting to the Microsoft Authenticator app which has a superior user experience and feature set, is substantially more reliable, and works. I would not use this app if I were you.

Terrible mfa application. The absolute worst.

Use any other MFA app, but this one. It does not save your information. If you change phones or migrate phone platforms, you are completely screwed unless you remove mfa from all your apps before you uninstall the Google Authenticator app. And if you lose your phone, you are just screwed with no recourse.
If you use the Microsoft Authenticator, at least it will remember your information while you are on the same phone platform. But Google? Nope. Don't even bother to ask for help because all you will receive is arrogant script kiddies belittling you for something you didn't even know you were supposed to do. I'll be uninstalling many Google apps in the coming month. I can definitely do without you at least Microsoft has support for the products they make. Imagine if GM made you ask other car owners how to use the windshield wipers, or how to change a tire. Google's arrogance is amazing. I'll make use of capitalism and find a better mouse trap.

Essential App, But No Cloud Backup

This is one of the most essential apps on my phone. I don't know why I trust Google with my 2FA codes (I don't really) but this is a very useful and important app. It is pretty basic as far as apps go, but it works for the intended purpose.

They just added the ability to transfer 2FA codes when upgrading to a new phone. They released this feature less than a month after the second wave of new iPhones came out… so less than a month ago I did the transfer manually, turning 2FA off and back on for my new phone across a dozen services. Some were easy to transfer, others were the opposite. It took over an hour. Their timing with this feature is awful, but at least it's here now I suppose.

App Privacy

The developer, Google LLC, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

Identifiers
Usage Data
Diagnostics
Other Data

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Location
User Content
Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

Seller

Google LLC

Size

27.3 MB

Category

Utilities

Compatibility

iPhone: Requires iOS 13.0 or later.

iPad: Requires iPadOS 13.0 or later.

iPod touch: Requires iOS 13.0 or later.

Languages

English, Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Age Rating

Copyright

Price

Free

Developer Website
App Support
Privacy Policy

Supports

Family Sharing

With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.

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