Bitcoin Forum

I am trying to find which 2FA app is better. I have read reviews on app sites but 8d prefer feedback from everyday users and not just bloggers.

I use Duo (https://duo.com/) and Google authenticator daily.  I prefer Duo from a user perspective, but GAuth is fairly painless.

Definitely go for Google Authenticator. Been using it for years without any issues.

Also, in the past I've read some Reddit threads on how people were having problems with Authy, causing them to lose access to their accounts. I've never read a single complaint on Google Authenticator as of today.

Some discussions on this matter:
Authy VS Google authenticator(r/androidapps): https://www.reddit.com/r/androidapps/comments/64xkkr/authy_vs_google_authenticator/
Authy vs Google Authenticator - Coinbase(r/bitcoin): https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/5ol41r/authy_vs_google_authenticator_coinbase/

Not aware about other authenticator but know about Google authenticator that i am using.I fell its best one.not yet faced any issue with this apps. I am using this one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2&hl=en

What about issues related to changing devices. I'm a field worker, sometimes I have to switch devices when one runs out of battery.

Have never had a problem with Google Auth

This, it just werks

Google Authenticator so my data is not on Authy servers

Authy can be a security risk IMO

I use Google authenticator it works great. I love how it protects you. It makes me feel safe knowing noone can have access to my account. It really does help with account resetting as well and rounds off your security well. I use Google because they are a strusted family name and have been around for so long. Their authenticator looks nice and works well.

I am using Google Authenticator for the last 3 months. Not yet faced any critical issue or any problem. It's working very fine. Its rating is 4.3. You can try this. Here is the app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2&hl=en

Google Authenticator is best with maximum security  :)

I find Google Authenticator to be quite convenient with all of the other Google tools I use. That being said, I do have Authy for a domain registrar which doesn't have Google integration for 2 factor.

I use Google Authenticator and I can say it's really easy to use. I never had any problems. The codes are generated every 30 seconds and you don’t need to use internet or cellular connectivity to receive the code.

never had a problem with authy.
i only use it on one device though

I've used both, but I prefer Google Authenticator. Just don't make the same mistake I did. I thought that like other Google products, it would be backed up if I did a factory reset on my phone - that is not the case. If you don't have the backup code for a website or exchange written down somewhere, you're more or less screwed unless you can get the support team to remove it from your account. This usually results in your account being locked for some arbitrary time frame.

Moral of the story - write down those codes and keep them safe!

I am using Google Authentificator myself. It's a trusted one and secured!

I didn't realise that myself.  Thanks for the headsup as I think it would have caught me out.

I use Authy on several devices (smartphones and tablet). That apps allow you to connect it to several devices through mobile number account. As long as you use the same mobile number, Authy on all devices should be synchronized.

It works great. So stable, I never had any issue with it. The downside of it is maybe it posses some security risks as your (encrypted) data is stored on Authy server. It may be seen as a downside and upside. The upside is you can easily restore the backup if you lost your phone.

I have tried the two and my personal preference also goes to Google Authenticator. Never had a problem with none of them thouh, but I like GA a bit more. Try them both and find for yourself I would say and like mentioned above backup all the codes so you don't have any trouble later if you got any problems with your smartphone. 

I'm just using google auth

I have been using Google Authenticator for the past 2 years without any problem. Never used Authy so I can't say anything about it.

I use Authy and it's never let me down

I have used google Authenticator so far and never had a problem. I have not used Authy so cant say much. But i recommend google Authenticator.

Google authenticator is the best way to using it has great demand. most of the people using it for security purpose. it can save our data files and some other information more carefully. so in my point of vies it is very good to use. goggle increasing day buy day its features for the people so really it is good.for using Google authentication never has no any problems for that reason i have to use this Google authentication.

Authy has backup functionality. Google authenticator doesn't have it.

Am using Google Authenticator.. what will happen if I loose my mobile?

i still using Google authenticator for a year, i connect it to some exchanges logins

it still works great and my security keep feel safe with 2FA

This is why I switched to authy. Lost my phone & laptop, couldn't restore new phone as backup was on the laptop. Was an idiot & didn't print out the recovery keys. Took me about 3 weeks to get access back to everything & then set up in Authy.

I am using google auth.

As somebody posted here before, read this links:

Authy VS Google authenticator(r/androidapps): https://www.reddit.com/r/androidapps/comments/64xkkr/authy_vs_google_authenticator/
Authy vs Google Authenticator - Coinbase(r/bitcoin): https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/5ol41r/authy_vs_google_authenticator_coinbase/

Welp.. looks like I'll switching back to google auth after reading those. Thank you.

I've known authy isn't as secure but I guess if someone can get a hold of my number i'm in a worse situation than I was when I lost my phone.

He talked to my friend. I was not convinced, but I have been using it for years and I think it is most useful and I have never been disappointed. Why not take advantage of such a cool thing as Authy.

You receive a backup code when you first setup Google Authenticator. Just keep it in the safe place! The idea is that it can be used in the event you lose your phone.

i always used google authenticator  on exchanger, but i havn't used authenticator tool other than google, may be try  :) :)

Google authentificator if very limited in feature (including backup).

Google Authenticator has been very good to me so far in my experience. I have not used Authy so I can't compare. If you do use Google, make sure you back it up! I had to reset my phone and I forgot to back my Authenticator up and it was alot of work to reaccess most of my accounts. Besides that, it's a great app.

Was wondering the same thing. Ty!

I'm using Google authenticator daily and it's good enough. I'm not thinking to change it.

I used G Auth in the past and would probably use again in the future if need be.

There is also another two factor authentication app called Duo this is apparently better privacy wise then the ones you listed. You can also just use Samourai Wallet where they have a self destruct feature as well as a feature to transfer those funds to another wallet in case of the loss or theft of a phone.

I use Google Authenticator on iOS and never had problems with it. Highly recommend from day to day user.

I'm using both but I found that I can use Google Auth on a lot of websites compared to Authy. Might have to remove my Authy because of the security risk that I've only just read now in this thread (obvs, I didn't do a lot of researching about Authy) lol!

Would you guys recommend Duo better than G Auth? Or that's a different thread?  :P

I've just found this thread whilst researching Authy/Google Authenticator for something totally different, but it looks like I should be applying it to my Bitcoin account too.

Based on the information in (and linked from) this thread, I think I'll go down the Google Authenticator route. So far I've picked up that I will need to keep a paper backup of the recovery code, but are there any other tips?

But in that case what do you recover with the backup codes? All the websites you had with the 2FA? Or only Google's?

Because shortly I'm gonna change my phone (keeping my phone number) and I'm still trying to figure out how to move all the exchanges 2FA I have in GA  ???

I would recommend using Google Authentication.

You really need to back them up as you create them. Before scanning each QR code into Authenticator I take a screenshot of the QR code and print a couple of copies, keeping one at home and one off site. Then it is just a case of rescanning them when changing device.

I would definitely recommend Google Authenticator. Now, less but I used it a lot before and I'm happy with it. In my opinion this is a very useful thing.

I use Google Authenticator and have never had any problems. The codes are generated every 30 seconds and you don’t need to use internet or cellular connectivity to receive the code. This is key as i've found that often using text messages for authentication is hit or miss. I would often not receive the codes.

Why would anyone use Google Authenticator if they don't let you backup your codes? Why not use a open source 2FA app like AndOTP or a cheap paid one like Authenticator Plus?

Lost your device and haven't saved your codes before enabling 2FA? Bye bye accounts.

I use google authenticator and really like it! You have to have my phone with you to login to my accounts. It is very easy to use as well. You just scan a barcode and are good to go.

I prefer Google authenticator as it can be trusted. But it won't allow to backup code.

Google Authenticator is best with security.

For me Google Auth is the best.

i used that i need, if the web only use google authenticator so i use google, but i never compare them till now.
i think they are the best, because i'm only user here.

When you first set it up they give you a list of backup codes to print out so no issues there as long as you don't loose the printout. ;)

For private use I use Google Authenticator and so far I have not had any problems. The codes change every 30 seconds.
The company for which I work use Authy and for access to corporate services Authy has proven to be reliable.
I think both services are ok.

Does Authy work offline as well? And is it linked in any way to the phone number?

I prefer Google Authenticator :)

If you want to use it on an iPhone I can recommend HDE OTP:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hde-otp-generator/id571240327?mt=8

Google authenticator is the 2fa I use and it works properly without bugs.

I prefer Google authenticator as it can be trusted. But it won't allow to backup code.
You know, but it’s really interesting to watch how cryptocurrency is becoming more available for each of us. https://mytc.io/ Ive just checked their website and wanna try it. A blockchain platform to turn time into the cryptocurrency.

I've used Googles own authenticator for years now on different exchanges, games and forums. In that time i have NEVER experienced any problems what so ever with it.
I can only vouch for it :)

I use Google authenticator and I do not get any problem with that.
But dont forget to backup your secret key, if your phone is loss you can restore your account.

I am also using  Google authenticator, it is faily simple and easy to use

Good application, I liked it. There is a button to copy the code to the clipboard so that you do not manually enter it. And tech support quickly answers (I was given an answer (a solution) to e-mail after 4 minutes, after the request). Thanks to the developers ... ;)

Two-factor authentication is the best way to protect yourself against hacking at the moment. However, the method itself is imperfect and not very convenient.

Absolutely agree

I started using Google Auth some years ago and I learnt to backup the first ID when setting the account, after losing an account protected with Google auth

I print out the QR code on a pdf file and save it in my Keepass password manager

Which app are you referring to? Google Authenticator or Authy?

google authenticator is the safest. most people who recommend authy are newbs and probably lazy too. coinbase stopped using authy a long time ago and so did i at that time. your phone number can easily be spoofed or hijacked. i admin a really big group and people post that it happened to them all the time. i dont always believe them because there is a ton of bs in those groups, but i am sure some of them are telling the truth.

authy has tried to fix its security issues, but you have to change settings and most people do not do that. even if you do change the settings, i do not believe it is as secure. everyone uses the excuse about losing their phone to justify using authy. that is not a valid argument because all you have to do is back up your restore codes for each site when you set up google 2fa. you should back them up in multiple safe places. i use encrypted folders on flash drives.

you can set up google 2fa on as many phones as you want. you just use the restore code when you set up the other phones.

Google authenticator all day! Do people even use Authy these days?  :) The only time I was forced to use it was back then with gawminers scam and just deleted afterwards. All decent platforms support Google authenticator nowadays, so no doubt that should be the choice. :)

I'm using both - Google Authenticator and Authy. Thinking to move all my 2FA to Authy, but not sure yet.
Authy is convenient because there is a PC version, unlike Google. It is convenient to restore if you lost the phone or something else on which the application was installed.

I have used google Authenticator so far and never had a problem. I have not used Authy so cant say much.

Google Authenticator is available for Chrome browser, and was previously only available on Android

googles auth is the best currently. they also have a super secure thing going on also well

Since im a newbie i never tried those google authenticator   my friend says that is it good  and vey important to have those application to protect our funds and tokens to hackers.

I have never used any other two-factor authentication other than Google Authenticator and I have never faced any issues with it so far in last 2 years. However, I wish there was any backup system for it in Google Authenticator itself but you have to manually change device on websites when you are replacing your existing device. Most of the platforms support Google Authenticator and I would be happy to recommend it to everyone.

Google authenticator is the best way to using it has great demand. most of the people using it for security purpose. I have been using Google Authenticator for the past 6 months without any problem.