Google Authenticator reaches 100 million downloads from the Play Store

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When you secure your online accounts, two-factor authentication (2FA) is an easy way to add another layer of security. Numerous download options are available, including the Google Authenticator app.

In fact, the Google Authenticator app generates one-time time-based codes that are linked to sites or accounts. A small timer indicates how much time you have left to insert the key before it expires, otherwise a new code will be generated. This prevents the theft of a multipurpose key and is probably more than enough for many people out there looking to add an extra layer of security beyond just a password to your online accounts.

The initial setup process is based on a QR code or a simple key, and although your Google account is now protected by your phone by default, for managing more than one service Google Authenticator is still a great free option despite the manual configuration process.

As noted by Android Police, the Google Authenticator app has now passed the barrier of 100 million downloads on the Play Store. A small annoyance is that you have to transfer or export any account to a new device when you switch. However, should you lose your phone or break it unfortunately you need to make sure you have synced between devices.

That said, it’s a simple app that offers very little beyond a dark theme, but is capable of generating secure codes even without a mobile or data connection. Therefore, the updates have been few and far between and the feature set is quite limited.

More information on the Play Store:

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