Summary

Apple's iOS includes a built-in authenticator feature within the Keychain that eliminates the need for third-party authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.

Abstract

The article discusses the lesser-known feature of Apple's iOS that integrates an authenticator directly into the iCloud Keychain, allowing users to manage two-factor authentication (2FA) codes for their accounts without relying on external apps. This built-in authenticator is highlighted as a solution to maintain minimalism on iPhones by reducing the need for additional apps. The author provides a step-by-step guide on how to set up 2FA using Apple's Keychain, emphasizing that it works even when the iPhone is offline, thanks to mutually understood cryptographic algorithms between Google and Apple. The feature is praised for saving space on the iPhone and simplifying the 2FA process for users who are prompted to delete their third-party authenticator apps after switching to Apple's solution.

Opinions

The author suggests that the use of third-party authenticator apps on iPhones compromises the minimalist approach to app usage.
There is a sense of surprise and discovery among Apple users upon learning about the built-in authenticator feature.
The article implies that the built-in authenticator is superior due to its integration with the iPhone and the ability to function offline.
The author expresses a personal wish to have known about this feature earlier, indicating its usefulness and the benefit of sharing such information.
The author encourages readers to adopt this feature by providing detailed instructions and concludes with a rhetorical question ("Agree?"), seeking validation or consensus from the audience.

Apple’s (Hidden) Authenticator App

Google and Microsoft killed my inner minimalist

Hands-down, you already know what authenticator apps are, and what they do. When I asked my Apple pals to list few such apps, they said:

Google Authenticator,
Microsoft Authenticator.

That's it. The rare few said Salesforce Authenticator though.

Almost everyone had those third-party apps installed in their iPhones for rapidly changing 2-FA codes that give extra security for their accounts.

“We’re sacrificing minimalism”, they told me.

I asked them why they had to. “You guys have the in-built ‘Apple Authenticator’ right?”

“Wha-a-t? Apple Authenticator?”. They began searching the App Store for it, but none could find it.

“Don’t search. It’s there in the Keychain.”, I stopped them.

I explained them how to set up like this.

For example, say Google

Make sure you already have your Google account password saved in iCloud Keychain.

Go to any Google-owned website.
Click on your profile picture on the top-right corner, and then on ’Manage your Google Account’.
Go to ’Security’ tab and scroll down the page.
Turn on ’2-Step Verification’ and click on ’Authenticator App’ on the same page.
Click on ’iPhone’. Now you’ll get a QR-code.
Haptic press on it (i.e., press and hold).
Now click on’Add Verification Code in Passwords’.

Now click on the Google account you opened previously.
You’re almost done. Just let Google know it by typing the 2-FA code in the prompt. Your Apple keyboard offers to enter it for you.

“Now delete the Google or Microsoft Authenticator app, my minimalistic pals.” I told them.

Sadly, even I was late for the epiphany. I wish I knew this much earlier.

You can repeat the same process for every other website you’ve enabled 2-FA authentication. For websites that don’t offer QR-codes, you can enter the “Setup key”.

Then your iPhone keeps generating a new 2-FA code every 30 seconds. Treat it like your password, that’s always changing.

Your iPhone can generate 2-FA codes even while it’s offline. They’re actually generated by Google-Apple mutually understood complex cryptographic equations, probably.

Though this feature doesn’t entirely change your life, it at least does save some space on your iPhone, as you’ve gleefully deleted third-party authenticators.

Agree?

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