Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator generates one-time verification codes for websites and apps that support Authenticator app 2-Step Verification.
What Google Authenticator is
Google Authenticator generates one-time verification codes for websites and apps that support Authenticator app 2-Step Verification. It works without an internet connection or mobile service and supports both time-based and counter-based codes. Accounts can be added by scanning a QR code, and the app can manage multiple accounts on one device. Signing in to a Google Account can synchronize codes across devices, subject to minimum app versions: 6.0 on Android or 4.0 on iOS. Codes are encrypted in transit and at rest across Google products. A Privacy Screen can require a PIN, pattern, or biometric check to open the app. Users can also move codes between devices by exporting and importing them with QR codes. It is available for Android and iOS, with Android 6.0 or later required. The app can be used without a Google Account, but codes kept only on the device will not be available elsewhere. For Google account use, 2-Step Verification must be enabled.
Good
- Generates codes without internet or mobile service
- Supports time-based and counter-based codes
- QR codes simplify account setup and device transfers
- Can synchronize codes across devices
- Privacy Screen can require device verification
Watch out
- Android app requires Android 6.0 or later
- Device-only codes are unavailable on other devices
- Google synchronization requires supported app versions
Who it suits
It suits people who need offline verification codes for supported sites and apps, including those managing several accounts. Users who want code synchronization need a Google Account and a sufficiently recent app version.
Verdict
Google Authenticator offers offline one-time codes, multiple-account management, and optional cross-device synchronization. Check the Android requirement and sync conditions if you plan to use it across devices.
Plans and prices
From Google Authenticator's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Google Authenticator | Free | iPhone and iPad app · Android app · iOS 16.0 or later · Android 6.0 or above |
The facts
Each one read from Google Authenticator's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Code sync
- Signing in to a Google Account lets you synchronize verification codes across devices; this requires app version 6.0 or above on Android or 4.0 or above on iOS.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Code type
- totp and hotpchecked 21 Sep 2026
- Code types
- It supports time-based and counter-based code generation.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Encrypted backup
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Encryption
- Google says Authenticator codes are encrypted in transit and at rest across its products.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Google sign-in requirement
- To use Google Authenticator with Google, users need to enable 2-Step Verification on their Google Account.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Manual transfer
- Codes can be transferred between devices by exporting and importing them with QR codes.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Multiple accounts
- The app can manage multiple accounts, and it can sync codes for multiple Google Accounts on one mobile device.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy Screen
- Privacy Screen can require device verification, such as a PIN, pattern, or biometric prompt, before the app can be used.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The app generates one-time verification codes for sites and apps that support Authenticator app 2-Step Verification.checked 11 Oct 2026
- QR setup
- Authenticator accounts can be set up automatically by scanning a QR code.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Google Play lists [email protected] as the app support email and links to a Google support website.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Without Google Account
- The app can be used without a Google Account, but codes stored only on the device will not be available on other devices.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Works offline
- It can generate codes without an internet connection or mobile service.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Company history
- Google says Google Inc. was officially born in August 1998.checked 11 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Multi-device sync
- Yeschecked 21 Sep 2026
- Platform requirement
- The Google Play listing says the Android app requires Android 6.0 or above.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Android,iOSchecked 21 Sep 2026
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