In this guide, we will show you the steps to use Google Authenticator offline by turning off its sync feature. One of the biggest reasons why users stayed away from this app and instead opted for its competitors like Authy and Microsoft was its inability to sync the codes to your account. So if your device gets stolen, or reset, or the app gets uninstalled, then there’s no way of getting back these codes.
You’ll have to manually get in touch with the service providers, verify your credibility and then ask them for a temporary code or a QR code to scan. Using that information, you could re-add your account to the app. It goes without saying that proved to be a great deal of inconvenience to the end users. So to address this issue, Google finally [after years of request] added the ability to sync your codes with your Google account.
So all the devices that are linked to this account could access these codes. But here comes the most shocking part- this feature is not end-to-end encrypted. As a result of which, if anyone manages to get hold of these codes then it might spell out trouble for you.
While it’s not an easy task to get access to these codes and moreover, your account will already be protected by your password, but still, if you want to take the most safest approach, then it’s highly recommended that you use Google Authenticator offline by turning off its sync feature. After all, giving up a little bit of convenience for a relatively higher degree of security is welcomed any day of the week. So on that note, let’s show you how this could be carried out.
How to use Google Authenticator offline: Turn off sync
- Launch the Google Authenticator app.
- Then tap on your profile at the top left.
- Now select Use without an account.
- Finally, hit Continue to save the changes.
That’s it. these were the steps to use Google Authenticator offline by turning off its sync feature. What are your views on this functionality? Will you prefer to have the sync disabled forever and use the app as you were doing so earlier or is it just until the process gets encrypted [of which there is no estimated time as of now]? Do share your valuable opinions with us in the comments section below.
