How to Use Google Authenticator When You’re Offline or Can’t Sync? The most important thing right now is making sure that your internet is safe. Cyberattacks and security holes happen all the time, and they can lead to the loss of important data or money.
People are protecting their online accounts more and more with two-factor security. Google Authenticator is a two-factor login app that a lot of people use. But some people would rather not connect to Google’s computers when they use it.
In this post, we’ll talk about how to use Google Authenticator when you aren’t linked to the internet.
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Table of Contents
What is Google Authenticator?
Google Authenticator is a free app that works on both iOS and Android devices and lets you sign in with two different pieces of information. It makes six-digit numbers that only work for a short time, usually 30 seconds, and can be used as the second part of a two-factor validation process. People from all over the world use the app to keep their Google, Facebook, and Dropbox accounts safe.
The app makes codes using a time-based one-time password (TOTP) method. It is a very safe way to do things because the code changes every 30 seconds, making it hard to break. But you can’t use Google Authenticator until you add it to your Google account.
How to Use Google Authenticator Offline or Without Sync?
With a new update, you can now use Google Authenticator on any device that is connected to your Google Account. When this happens, users who have the app on more than one device will see the same data on all of them.
This fixes the main problem, which is that you have to add a 2FA access code to every device you own. Now, you can add that 2FA login code to one device, and it will sync with all of your other Google Authenticator apps in your Google Account.
To use Google Authenticator offline or without connecting, you need to do a few things. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Get Google Authenticator and Install it
The first step is to download and install Google Authenticator on your phone. You can get the app from either the App Store or the Google Play Store, depending on what kind of device you have.
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Step 2: Turn off the Auto-Synchronization of the Time
To use Google Authenticator without syncing, you need to turn off automatic time sync on your device. This is the case because the app makes codes based on the time on your computer. If the time is wrong, the numbers won’t work. Here’s how to stop your computer from automatically syncing the time:
For Android devices:
- Just click Settings.
- Choose the System.
- Click on “Date and Time.”
- Turn off the setting for “Automatic date and time.”
For iOS by Apple:
- Just click Settings.
- Choose General.
- Click on “Date and Time.”
- Turn off the “Set Automatically” option.
Step 3: Change the Time Manually
After you turn off automatic time sync, you’ll have to set the time by hand. Here are the steps to follow:
For Android devices:
- Just click Settings.
- Choose the System.
- Click on “Date and Time.”
- Tap on Set Time.
- Hand-change the time.
For Apple iOS:
- Just click Settings.
- Choose General.
- Click on “Date and Time.”
- Turn off the “Set Automatically” option.
- Hand-change the time.
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Step 4: Add Accounts to the Google Authenticator
You can add accounts to Google Authenticator after you’ve downloaded and opened the app and set the time by hand. Here’s how:
- Open the app for Google Authenticator.
- Touch the “+” sign.
- You can choose to “Scan a barcode” or “Enter a given key.”
- Follow the instructions to add the account.
Step 5: Use the Codes Offline
Once you’ve added accounts to Google Authenticator, you can use the codes even when you’re not online. Open the app, choose the account you want to use, and type in the six-digit code that the app gives you. The codes will still work even if you’re not connected to the internet or have sync turned off.
How to Turn Off the Sync Function for Google Authenticator?
Even if you don’t have a Google Account, you can still use Google Authenticator if you don’t want to take a chance. This stops the authenticator from linking, so your two-factor authentication codes can only be used locally.
With the new update, Google kind of forces you to use the new sharing tool, so you may now be signed in with a Google Account. Luckily, that’s not hard to fix.
- On your phone or computer, open the Google Authenticator app.
- Click on the picture of you.
- Click Use if you don’t want to sign in.
- Tap Continue.
- Offline Google Authenticator: Don’t connect
From then on, your 2FA numbers will only work on that device. You can always sync those codes again by tapping the personal photo icon and choosing an account. In any case, Google Authenticator can give you a little more peace of mind if you turn off the sync feature.
Conclusion
Google Authenticator can be used offline or without connecting, but you have to take a few extra steps to make sure the app works right. If you turn off automatic time sync and set the time yourself, you can use the app without counting on Google’s services.
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This is a good option for people who are worried about online security and want full power over their authentication process. But it’s important to remember that using Google Authenticator offline or without sync might not be as safe as using it with sync turned on.
If you’re worried about your security online, you should talk to a security expert or follow the service’s directions. Overall, Google Authenticator is a very safe and effective way to keep your online accounts safe. If you follow the steps in this article, you can use it even when you’re not connecting to the internet or syncing.
