How To Use an Authenticator App

To use an authenticator app, you will need to choose one that suits your security preferences, scan the QR code or enter the key, securely store your backup codes and sign in to your account. An authenticator app verifies your identity by generating random numeric codes that you will enter with your username and password to access an account. You can use an authenticator app as a type of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which is a security measure that requires another form of identity verification before you can access an account.

Continue reading to learn how to use an authenticator app to help secure your online accounts.

1. Download an authenticator app

Depending on your security goals and device, there are many options for authenticator apps. Here are a few of the most popular authenticator apps and information about them to help you decide which app suits your needs.

Keeper Password Manager

Even though Keeper Password Manager primarily stores and creates strong passwords, you can also use it as an authenticator app. Keeper Password Manager allows you to set up MFA within your vault, simplifying the process of generating and entering 2FA codes. You can use Keeper Password Manager as both a password manager and an authenticator app, ensuring your passwords and codes stay encrypted and backed up in your digital vault. Keeper Password Manager is available for mobile, desktop and browser on nearly every device type and operating system.

Google Authenticator

You can use Google’s authenticator app on your iPhone or Android, and sign in with your Google account to back up your data to Google Drive. This is both convenient and potentially harmful because it saves your logins but can also give cybercriminals access to your private information if your Google account is ever hacked. Using Google’s authenticator app is easy because it provides six-digit codes that refresh after one minute. Then, you enter the six-digit code into the app or account for which you need authentication. Although you can use this app on your iPhone or Android, there is no app for Apple or Android watches.

Microsoft Authenticator

Also available for iPhones and Androids, Microsoft’s authenticator app also allows schools and organizations to register your device and provides an account recovery mode. This means you can recover your login information if you get a new device and can easily verify your identity. Microsoft’s authenticator app has many added security features, including an additional and optional PIN or biometric verification to see the randomly generated codes. Even though this is a Microsoft app, you can add non-Microsoft accounts to it.

2FAS

With the ability to create cloud backups of your accounts in either iCloud or Google Drive, 2FAS offers encrypted backups and the convenience of adding accounts with a QR code. You don’t need to enter your phone number or even create an account to use 2FAS, so your extra verification step has a reduced risk of being hacked. To increase your security, you can enable a PIN or use Face/Touch ID on your iPhone to access 2FAS.

Duo Mobile

Designed more for schools and businesses, Duo Mobile is useful for providing quick and simple authentication. The app needs to recognize your authorized device as a second form of verification to give you a code. It will connect to your organization’s network to ensure your device can be trusted. Its interface is very easy to use and straightforward, so if you’ve never used an authenticator app before, this one will not be overwhelming.

2. Scan the QR code or enter the secret key

After finding the best authenticator app to meet your needs, you can connect it to your online accounts to set up MFA. For example, if you want to enable MFA on one of your social media accounts, go to the account’s settings and find any MFA or 2FA security settings. Your social media settings will likely ask you to open your authenticator app, which will automatically add your social media account. From there, you will either see a QR code to scan or a secret key. By scanning the QR code or entering the secret key, the algorithm for the code will be stored in your authenticator app to produce the unique numeric code needed to access the account or app you want to secure. Alternatively, you can manually input the secret key, enabling the authenticator app to produce the code.

3. Securely store the provided backup codes

After you either scan the QR code or enter the secret key, you will most likely be given backup codes, which you should store securely. Most websites or apps will display a list of backup codes after you set up your QR code or secret key in case you ever have trouble signing into your account or lose your device. These backup codes need to be stored in a safe location; do not just take a screenshot of these codes or write them down on a sticky note.

One of the safest places you can store your backup codes is Keeper Password Manager. For example, if you want to enable 2FA on your Instagram account, you can enter your record for Instagram within your digital vault. Once you select the edit tool, you will see the option to add a note within the record. Here, you can keep your backup codes and know they will be just as encrypted and secure as your login credentials.

4. Sign in to your account

Once you have set up your authenticator app as an MFA method, sign in to your account. When you sign in with your username and password, your account will prompt you to go to your authenticator app to retrieve a code. Remember, codes are only valid for approximately one minute before they refresh, so you’ll want to move quickly when your account requests a code. After you get your code, enter it to log in to your account. If you enter the code incorrectly or after the time has expired, you will not be granted access to your account and will need to try again.

Secure your online accounts using Keeper

Although there are many great authenticator apps to choose from, you can use Keeper as an authenticator app to minimize juggling multiple apps and devices, and to keep track of all your login information simply and securely. Keeper stores your authentication codes in each record for your accounts that you want to be secure. In one convenient place, Keeper encrypts, backs up and syncs your authentication codes.

Keep your online accounts safe with MFA and 2FA codes by starting a free 30-day trial of Keeper Password Manager today.