Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Epilogue
Obviously, Google itself has a problem too. There is no official Google Authenticator app for Mac. And given the whole purpose of authenticator apps, I would only want one that was official.
“Let the market decide” and all of that nonsense. But I think Apple and Google both have a responsibility not to let their users be misled, especially about their own products. I’m of the opinion that, if you search “google authenticator” in the Mac App Store, nothing should come up, because users’ implicit expectation is that they’re going to get a Google-made app, but there isn’t one.
Likewise, I find it almost comical that Google’s AI Overview, of all things, is saving the day here. No, there is no official Google Authenticator app for Mac. But once you’re past the AI stuff, the first result is a sponsored link for a knockoff app.
The second link — the first “organic” link — is for the official Google Authenticator app in Apple’s App Store. But that’s the iOS version, the only real version of the app, and it won’t run on a Mac.
Which all gets me to my point. 2FA is better than passwords alone, but it’s a pain in the ass. Having an “authenticator” app that is always at-the-ready with your 6-digit code is more efficient (and more secure) than having to wait for an SMS message to come through, but it would sure be nice not to have to rely on a second device, especially when I don’t have my iPhone right by my side.
Of course, now that I think about it, the only times I’ve needed access to Google Authenticator when I’m using my Mac, and I haven’t had my iPhone right by my side, have been because my iPhone is plugged into a charger in another room.
That’s been happening a lot lately, because my poor, old, long-in-the-tooth iPhone 13 mini can barely make it to lunchtime without needing to be charged at this point.
All things considered, the answer to my conundrum of there not being an official Google Authenticator app for Mac is astoundingly obvious.
I need a new iPhone.