Google Authenticator its one of the very popular app (available on both iOS & Android) and widely use as second level of security by most website. When you activate the additional security in some website (such as Binance, MailChimp, others), it will ask you to scan a QR code or enter a key provided using Google Authenticator app. And each time you access your account (after you login with your ID + password), you are required to enter 6 digit number provided by Google Authenticator. Without the number, you can't access to your account, and imagine if you lost your phone or deleted the app!
But before you start using it, the thing you need to know and take note.
Google Authenticator app are attach to your mobile phone and require internet connection. A random 6 digit number generated, only useable in certain amount of period time and new code will be generate after that.
Each website/ app will have a QR code for you to scan or key to input via Google Authenticator. Make sure you keep a copy of that QR code and key.Because if you lost your phone or deleted the app, all the code will be gone together with the app. So, you got to make sure that you have the barcode to rescan again by the Google Authenticator app.
Tips (use Google Photos to backup the barcode)
- Install Google Photos and link it your Gmail account
- On the app, create a New Album and name it Google Auth QR code
- Each time before you scan the QR code, snap a photo of the QR code & key
- On the Google Photos app, add the QR code photo to the album
- Make sure the photos are upload and backup to your account