Google has updated its Authenticator app on Android and iOS to allow users to back up their two-factor authentication (2FA) one-time passwords (OTPs) to their Google Accounts and enable multi-device support. 2FA adds a layer of security to online accounts by requiring users to enter a one-time passcode before logging in.
Google Authenticator lets users generate these one-time passwords for 2FA verification, making it a safer alternative to SMS and email-based 2FA.
However, until this update, users could not back up their 2FA configurations, making it difficult to regain access to accounts if the device with the Authenticator app was lost or stolen.
The update requires 2-step verification to be activated on the Google Account for cloud backups to work, reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access.
Google Authenticator version 6.0 is currently available on the Apple iOS store but is gradually rolling out to Android users.
The new version prompts users to log in to their Google account and synchronize their 2FA codes with their Google account. The update addresses a major critique of Google Authenticator by allowing users to have multi-device support and back up their 2FA configurations, making it more user-friendly.
Using an authentication app like Google Authenticator is safer than SMS and email-based 2FA, as those methods can be compromised by hackers or SIM swap actors. Google Authenticator is one of the most popular authentication apps, with over 100 million installs.
The update allows users to store their 2FA configurations in the cloud, reducing the complexity of dealing with lost or stolen devices with the app installed. For more details on how to perform OTP backups, account synchronization, and migration, Google provides step-by-step instructions.
