Google finally takes users into account and adds a feature that was essential for google authenticator
Two-factor authentication (2FA), also used the English acronym 2FA (for two-factor authentication), is a method that confirms that a user is who they say they are combining two different components from: 1) something they know; 2) something they have; and 3) something they are. It is currently the most widespread method to access accounts on websites, social networks, etc.
There are various solutions for two-factor authentication, between the most popular is Google Authenticator, which is a mobile security application based on two-factor authentication (2FA) that helps verify the identity of users before granting them access to websites and services.
Like most web-based two-factor authentication apps, Google Authenticator combines knowledge and possession functions. To access websites or web-based services, the user enters their usual username and password, and then a one-time passcode (OTP) sent to their device by the system and activated by the connection.
This combination verifies that the person entering the login details on the site is in possession of the device on which the Google Authenticator app was downloaded. However, while the service has performed relatively well since launch, it is regularly criticized by developers and users for the lack of certain features, including cloud syncing.
And is that for those who at the time came to use Google Authenticator or those who use it, won't let me lie, but one One of the features that the app lacked as mentioned is cloud synchronization, since if for some reason you restored your mobile, changed your ROM or in the worst case you lost your mobile, all those accounts that you had with 2FA activated, you could say goodbye to them (in many cases).
This is something that many of us suffer. (I include myself) and it is that without knowing in my moments in which I was dedicated to testing roms for my equipment, I came across the sad reality that the codes that I already had synchronized could never be recovered and in certain places, I lost my accesses, since it was impossible to make a discussion or reconciliation with the support area and in which I managed to recover access, luckily, I had to send even the dog's vaccination record...
But hey, moving on to the topic of the article and leaving my sad story aside (and that of many who surely also happened), After so many years and above all so many criticisms from users, Google finally deigns to include this synchronization function.
But it's already done and it's that as of April 24, 2023, Google Authenticator responds to this long-standing request: You can now sync your two-factor authentication codes with your Google account.
So now when a user sets up a new phone and logs into their account, Google Authenticator will be ready to go without requiring a clean setup process, and on the other hand, it also means that if their phone is lost or stolen, they can get it back. to sign in to their accounts from another device, which will be much less stressful.
We're excited to announce an update to Google Authenticator, on both iOS and Android, that adds the ability to securely save your one-time codes (also known as one-time passwords or OTPs) to your Google account.
For all of your online accounts, logging in is the gateway to your personal information. It is also the main entry point for risks, hence the importance of protecting it.
We make it easy and secure to sign in to Google and all the services and apps you love with built-in authentication tools like Google Password Manager and Sign in with Google, as well as automatic protections like alerts when you sign in to your Google account from a new device.
It is worth mentioning that To enable cloud synchronization of two-factor codes, you must update to the latest version Google Authenticator for Android and iOS. Google has a support page that details the feature and confirms that if you're signed into your Google account in Google Authenticator, your codes will be automatically backed up and restored to any new device you use.
Finally, personally if you don't want to deal and have problems, I can recommend the use of Authy, which is an excellent application that I have used since I discovered the terrible flaw that Google Authenticator had.
If you are interested in learning more about it, you can consult the details at the following link.
Wow, they just added it when I recently switched to Authy (yep, the sad story happened to me too xD)
Bad luck fell on us. But being frank, Authy is much better from the simple fact that it can be installed natively on PC. Which is super useful if you don't have access to your phone at that time (it's downloaded or you can't find it xD).