The backup would then be decrypted locally on your new device, providing access to 2FA codes for all your previously linked accounts. Once the backup has been completed, you can restore it on any other device, by signing into the Authy app with your registered phone number, and by providing the backup password. During the initial setup, the app prompts you to enter the backup password, which is used to encrypt the backup locally on your device, before being uploaded to their servers. One of the best things we’ve found about Authy is that it allows you to backup the list of 2FA enabled accounts, which you have linked using the app. Once logged in using the OTP, you can start using Authy just like the original Google Authenticator app. Authy will then send you an SMS to the registered mobile, containing a one-time-password (OTP). Once you have installed the app, you will be asked to register a new account using your mobile number and email address. It also has a Google Chrome app & extension, so that it can run on just about any desktop OS. The following are some of the best Google Authenticator alternatives on Mac and PC: Authy (Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome)Īuthy is a RFC 4226 / RFC 6238 based 2FA client, compatible with Google Authenticator, available for macOS, iOS and Android.

1 Desktop clients for Google Authenticator.

And if you lose any of your 2FA configured devices, you still would have a backup device to generate 2FA codes on.

You no longer need a smartphone to authenticate yourself while using your computer. Such solutions will also help address both the issues we discussed above. Also, if you somehow lose access to that smartphone, the process to restore access could be complex one sometimes even resulting in a temporary lockout.īut in this article, we’ll explore a few workarounds to use Google Authenticator directly on the computer.

It implements the Time-Based One-Time Password Algorithm ( TOTP) and HMAC-based One-time Password Algorithm ( HOTP) to generate unique 6-Digit authentication codes for each of the linked accounts, and doesn’t require Internet access to work.Įven though Two-Factor-Authentication is a more secure option, it could sometimes feel a little inconvenient to open up a smartphone app every time you want to login to a specific online account or service, on your computer. The official Google Authenticator app is only available on iOS and Android platforms, with certain third party alternatives available for BlackBerry and Windows Phones. Google has its own version of two-factor authentication service, which is nowadays supported by various third party online services.

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