How do I download Google Authenticator app?

Summary

The program known as Google Authenticator is available for download on the majority of smart devices. You do not need to install Google Authenticator if you have already installed Authy on your device.

What is Google Authenticator?

The Google Authenticator application is a mobile security tool that offers a second sort of confirmation for websites and online services that use two-factor authentication (2FA) to validate a user’s identity before providing them access to protected resources. This is done in order to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. When compared to the use of Short Message Service (SMS), often known as text messaging, as the second form of verification, the use of an authenticator is regarded as a more secure method of two-factor authentication (2FA). Text communications are susceptible to being watched and intercepted, and hackers have the ability to take advantage of carriers to swap phone numbers on new devices.

In what ways is the use of two-factor authentication important?

Generally speaking, two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA) is seen as a superior alternative to single-factor authentication (SFA), which normally consists of a login and password. Through the implementation of two-factor authentication, the possibility of an unauthorized user convincingly impersonating an authorized user is decreased.

Guemmy Kim, who was the director of account security and safety at Google at the time, wrote a blog post in February 2022 that brought to light the significance of two-factor authentication. It was reported by Kim that Google had automatically enrolled users in two-factor authentication the year before. After two-factor authentication was implemented for more than 150 million users, Google reported a 50 percent reduction in the number of accounts that were hacked.

When using a website or an online service, a user is required to provide two different forms of verification in order to comply with the requirements of two-factor authentication. For instance, signing in with a username and password would be an example of one kind, whereas a passcode that is provided to the user by text message would be an example of the second type. It is possible to verify that the person who is attempting to connect to a secure website or service is who they claim to be by using these several methods of authentication, which are referred to as factors.

As far as authentication factors are concerned, there are three categories:

Understanding is a factor. A user’s credentials, which generally consist of a username and password, are known to the user.

Possession is a factor. These are things that the user has, most often a smartphone.

Causes that are inherited. The user’s identity, which is often a biometric feature like a fingerprint or iris pattern, is identified by these things.

Due to the fact that a large number of websites and services need a username and password, the use of knowledge factors has been a prevalent practice ever since the early days of the World Wide Web. In the majority of instances, the only component that is considered secure is the password. A username might be anything as simple as an email address, which is often known to the general public or can be quickly obtained. For the purpose of safeguarding resources, the password must always be kept secret and secure. It is possible that those resources will be in jeopardy if they are compromised.

It is unfortunate that passwords are often a weak link in the safety of networks and data, particularly when paired with improper password habits. Single-factor authentication is something that is used by websites or online services that just demand a username and password to identify users. This is because it relies only on knowledge factors to verify the identity of users. To adequately safeguard resources, however, usernames and passwords alone are not sufficient. As a result, many online systems now demand two-factor authentication, or at the very least provide it as an option. This is because cyberattacks have become more sophisticated.

The username and password combination that is used to log in is the first factor in the majority of two-factor authentication solutions that are used today. The second factor is a temporary passcode that the user is required to input in addition to the information that is used to log in. It is possible for the user to obtain the passcode on his or her device in the form of a text message or by means of authenticator software such as Google Authenticator. It is only possible to use the passcode for a certain period of time. In two-factor authentication (2FA), the device that receives the SMS is considered to be a possession factor since it symbolizes something that the user has. In most cases, this is a smartphone.

What is the operation of the Google Authenticator?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) has been deployed on the majority of websites and services since most businesses are aware that passwords are readily hacked. For example, they often feature support for authenticator software like Google Authenticator, which is installed on the user’s iOS or Android smartphone and operates on the device. It is quite improbable that the hacker will also be able to get access to the user’s physical device, given that the vast majority of vulnerabilities are carried out via the use of the internet.

It is common practice for websites and online services that have enabled two-factor authentication to make considerable use of Google Authenticator. A one-time passcode, also known as an OTP, is generated by the application for each one of the websites or services that the user has registered with the authenticator. Passcodes are numbers consisting of six digits that are periodically updated every thirty seconds.

A site or service that has implemented two-factor authentication may be accessed by using Google Authenticator in the following manner:

It is recommended that the user install Google Authenticator on their iOS or Android smartphone. It is only essential to do this step once.
Two-factor authentication should be enabled on the user account that is linked to the target website or service. It is possible that the user will get either a QR code or a setup key. Generally speaking, the QR code is simpler to deal with.
The target website or service may be added to Google Authenticator by opening it on the mobile device and tapping the + symbol located in the bottom right corner of the screen. Both of the following choices are available to the user:
Obtain a quick response code (QR code) and scan it. In order to capture a picture of the QR code, choose the option and then point the smartphone at the code.
Input a key for the setup. You will need to choose this option, then input the setup key once you have typed a name for the login.
In order to establish the login, Google Authenticator will show its first one-time password.
After returning to the target website or service, finish the process of setting up two-factor authentication by following the instructions that were given. The user will be required to input the passcode that was created by the authenticator as a part of this procedure.
When the user registers on the website or service, the authenticator may be used to get the most recent passcode. This is possible once the user has completed the process of setting up the login on Google Authenticator. Additionally, a username and password will be used in conjunction with it. These three pieces of information are used by the website or service in order to validate the identity of the individual who is inputting the login credentials. In order for the authentication procedure to function properly, it is assumed that the user is in possession of the device on which Google Authenticator is installed.

The technique for a time-based, one-time password that is outlined in the RFC 6238 document published by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) serves as the foundation for the Google Authenticator app. A six-digit passcode is generated using the Theory of Everything (TOTP) algorithm, which takes into account the current time of day to guarantee that each passcode is one of a kind. Changes are made to passcodes at predetermined periods. According to the RFC, a default interval of thirty seconds is recommended.

Learn the difference between two-step verification and two-factor authentication, as well as how to protect one-time passwords from being compromised by hackers. Discover the most prevalent techniques of digital authentication by reading about them.

Tell me how to set it up

Obtain the application on your mobile device, whether it be a smartphone or a tablet. There is a version of Google Authenticator accessible for both Mac and Android. Launch the application and choose the option labeled “Get Started.” Either you may use the app without checking in or you can log in using your Google account. Both options will be available to you. Google Authenticator will keep your two-factor authentication information for you if you do log in. I will elaborate more on this in a bit.

In the next stage, you will be required to choose the online account that you want to establish using Google Authenticator. It is quite probable that the websites that you visit the most often accept multifactor authentication via the application. Although there are some minor differences between Amazon and Gmail, as well as TikTok and Dropbox, the processes involved in the process are, for the most part, the same.

After you have chosen an account, the next steps of the setup may be completed in one of two ways. You have the option of manually entering the code or using the camera on your smartphone to scan a QR code.

As an example, let’s take a look at your Amazon login procedure. One of the first options available to you is to use a laptop to access your Amazon account, go to the Account page, and choose the Login & Security option. Next, on the screen that follows, click the Turn on for two-factor authentication button, and then click the Get started button. At this point, the option that has been pre-selected for you is to get the codes by text message. Choose the choice for an Authenticator App instead of the other way around.

You should launch the Google Authenticator app on your mobile device whenever you come across a QR code on the screen of your laptop. The next step is to scan a QR code after tapping the + symbol located in the bottom-right corner of the app. Make a decision on whether or not you want to provide the application access to your camera; if you do not, you will be required to manually input the codes. You may scan the barcode with your smartphone, and an expiration code will appear in the app. The code will continue to generate itself. The next step is to enter the six-digit code into the laptop. During the process of setting up two-factor authentication (2FA), it is important to acknowledge that older devices could call for a unique login procedure.

What’s the Latest on It Now?

In the past, one of the most prevalent complaints with Google Authenticator was that it was only possible to save all of your codes on a single device. It can be difficult or even impossible to access your associated accounts if you misplaced the device while you were out with friends or if it was stolen from you. Both of these scenarios are probable. In a similar vein, if you updated your phone, it may be a hassle to scan all of the QR codes for your websites and services, or it might be necessary to export and import them to the new device and then repeat the process of setting everything up again.

Google has recently implemented functionality that allows your codes to be synchronized across all of your Google accounts. This feature was created in addition to some design improvements. To let you know that your codes have been synchronized, the authenticator app will display a green cloud with a checkmark in the top-right corner next to your profile picture. This will signal that your codes have been created. It is important to note that in order to utilize this function, you need to be signed in. If you have been using Google Authenticator without registering, you will need to either log in in order to keep the information in your account or export and import your data on other devices via the traditional method.

How to Move Google Authenticator to a New Phone

There are two simple methods that you may use to do this, and none of them requires you to reinstate all of your accounts.

In order to access the same Google account, log in.
It is quite simple to transfer all of your Authenticator codes to a new phone since Google allows you to back up your codes to your Google Account. The only catch is that you have to activate this backup option that is available to you. Obtaining your Google Authenticator codes on your new phone as quickly as possible may be accomplished by following these steps:

On your previous device, launch Google Authenticator and hit the symbol that represents your profile at the very top.

You may go to Step 4 if the tiny cloud indicator is green rather than gray. This indicates that your codes are already being backed up.

To access your email address, choose it from the menu.

To save your codes to your Google account, choose the Allow option when prompted to do so.

Open Google Authenticator on your new phone and sign in to the same Google account that you used on your previous phone (when you want to switch accounts, touch the symbol that represents your profile). In the event that you do not see any of the accounts, you will need to shut down and reopen Authenticator. All of the accounts will appear immediately.

Send the Two-Factor Authentication Codes Out There

There is also the possibility of exporting the accounts to do this. If the second phone is using a different Google account or if you want to use Authenticator without an account, this allows you to transfer your Google Authenticator codes to the other phone. This is the procedure to follow in order to export your Google Authenticator accounts:

To export accounts from the old phone, choose the menu option and then press the Transfer accounts option. You are going to see a QR code.

From the new phone, go to the menu and choose Transfer accounts, then Import accounts, and finally select Scan QR code.

A QR code may be found on the old phone; point the camera in that direction. If you touch the OK button, you will receive a success message that indicates the number of accounts that were copied over.

At this point, you are finished, and you are free to close both applications. However, if you take the old phone and hit the Next button, you will be presented with the opportunity to delete the accounts that were exported. If you are not planning on retaining both devices, we suggest that you delete the codes; however, before you do so, you should check to see whether they are still valid on the new phone.