Google Authenticator’s latest update removes this recently added feature – Times of India
Google Authenticator is a software-based authentication service developed by the company that uses two-step verification methods to secure users and the apps used by them. The tech giant recently updated the service in May which became the first update to come for the service in a year. The last Google Authenticator update allowed the service to hide users’ 2FA codes until they clicked to reveal them. However, Google has now decided to backtrack on that feature. According to a report by 9to5Google, the company has updated the service’s Play Store release notes to announce that it “added device encryption to storage of secret values.” Moreover, Google has also mentioned that no other changes are coming to the app and the latest version of Google Authenticator has already been widely rolled out.
What has changed in the new update
As per the report, Google Authenticator version 5.20R4 has removed the “Click to reveal PIN” feature. So, when you open the app, you will be shown “every single two-factor authentication code” in the list.
The reason for Google to backtrack on the feature
The report presumes that Google wanted to add another level of security to the service by using the “Click to reveal PIN” feature. This feature made it difficult for pryers near you to peek at your device’s screen and get hold of information. However, the codes themselves change after every 30 seconds and the effectiveness of this feature ended up being unclear. Meanwhile, the report mentioned that one unintended advantage of the feature was how it helped users to focus on codes by only showing them the ones they want to see.
Moreover, this feature never made its way to the iOS app which asks users to authenticate Face/Touch ID before revealing the codes. The report also mentions that this process can be a “nice option to have on Android for shared device use cases.”
Also Read: Do you know how to subscribe to Google Play Pass. Clickhere to read the step-by-step guide.
What has changed in the new update
As per the report, Google Authenticator version 5.20R4 has removed the “Click to reveal PIN” feature. So, when you open the app, you will be shown “every single two-factor authentication code” in the list.
The reason for Google to backtrack on the feature
The report presumes that Google wanted to add another level of security to the service by using the “Click to reveal PIN” feature. This feature made it difficult for pryers near you to peek at your device’s screen and get hold of information. However, the codes themselves change after every 30 seconds and the effectiveness of this feature ended up being unclear. Meanwhile, the report mentioned that one unintended advantage of the feature was how it helped users to focus on codes by only showing them the ones they want to see.
Moreover, this feature never made its way to the iOS app which asks users to authenticate Face/Touch ID before revealing the codes. The report also mentions that this process can be a “nice option to have on Android for shared device use cases.”
Also Read: Do you know how to subscribe to Google Play Pass. Clickhere to read the step-by-step guide.
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