The Best Authenticator Apps for 2023

1

Authy

One of Twilio Authy’s big advantages is encrypted cloud backup. However, it’s somewhat concerning that you can add the account to a new phone using “a PIN code sent via a call or an SMS,” according to Authy’s support pages. There’s also an option to enter a private password or passphrase that Authy uses to encrypt login info for your accounts to the cloud. The password is only known to you, so if you forget it, Authy won’t be able to recover the account. It also means that authorities cannot force Authy to unlock your accounts.

#Identity And Access Management #Two Factor Authentication #Password Management 139 social mentions

2

Google Authenticator

When you use Google Authenticator to log in to your Google account, you enter the six-digit code shown in the authenticator app, just as you would to log in to any other service. The app also lets you import logins from an old phone to a new one if you have the former on hand. As with Microsoft Authenticator, there's no Apple Watch app or even an Android Wear app for Google Authenticator.

#Identity And Access Management #Authentication #Multi-factor Authentication 7 social mentions

3

Microsoft Authenticator

Along with standard TOTP multi-factor support, Microsoft Authenticator includes optional secure password generation and lets you log in to Microsoft accounts with a button press or by tapping a two-digit number in a push notification. The app also enables schools and workplaces to register users’ devices. If you use this app, you can turn on account recovery. That way, when you get a new phone, you will see an option to recover by signing into your Microsoft account and providing more verifications.

#Identity And Access Management #Two Factor Authentication #Authentication 117 social mentions

4

2FA Authenticator

This simple but fully functional app does everything you want in an authenticator. It lets you add online accounts either manually or with a QR code. Unlike Google Authenticator, it can create cloud backups of your registered accounts, either in iCloud for Apple devices or Google Drive for Androids, which is critical if you lose your phone or get a new one. The backup is encrypted and only accessible from the 2FAS app. 2FAS doesn't need your phone number or even require you to create an online account, so it's not susceptible to SIM-swapping fraud. You can set a PIN to access the app, and on the iPhone, you can use FaceID or TouchID. You can add it as a home-screen widget, but no Apple Watch authentication app exists.

#Password Management #Identity And Access Management #Security & Privacy 28 social mentions

5

Aegis Authenticator

The Aegis Authenticator is a free and open-source option for Android users. It gets a higher rating on the Google Play store than any other authenticator app included here (4.8 compared with Google Authenticator's 3.6). And by the way, it's also available from the open-source F-Droid catalogue of apps. The app supports biometric unlocking and automatic backups to an online storage provider of your choice, as long as said provider supports the Storage Access Framework of Android. Aegis lets you import your accounts from an existing authenticator, and the app offers good organization tools, such as custom icons for accounts, custom login groups, and search.

#Identity And Access Management #Password Management #Two Factor Authentication

6

Duo mobile

Duo Mobile is geared toward corporate apps, especially now that it’s part of Cisco’s portfolio. Duo Mobile offers enterprise features, such as multiuser deployment options and provisioning, one-tap push authentication, and one-time passcodes. But anyone can use this simple authenticator app, and if you do, you'll appreciate the ability to back up your logins using Google Drive for Android and iCloud KeyChain on iPhone.

#Password Management #Security & Privacy #Identity And Access Management 1 social mentions