There are many authenticator apps but Microsoft and Google seem to be the most popular. So it’s good to know that Google Authenticator has just been updated, and a long wished-for feature added.
The latest update has added the option of Cloud backup. According to a report in a recent Security Now! podcast, Googles’ announcement included
“One major piece of feedback we’ve heard from users over the years was the complexity in
dealing with lost or stolen devices that had Google Authenticator installed. Since one time codes
in Authenticator were only stored on a single device, a loss of that device meant that users lost
their ability to sign in to any service on which they’d set up 2FA using Authenticator. With this update we’re rolling out a solution to this problem, making one time codes more
durable by storing them safely in users’ Google Account. This change means users are better
protected from lockout and that services can rely on users retaining access, increasing both
convenience and security.”