google / google-authenticator-android

Open source fork of the Google Authenticator Android app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.authenticator2
Apache License 2.0
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Consider adding ability to momentarily pause 6-digit code from refreshing while entering it #123

Open arel opened 4 years ago

arel commented 4 years ago

Please note that the code in this repository is an open source fork of the app in the Play Store, so there is no guarantee that both apps will be in sync. Please check which version of the app your bug applies to below.

The Google Authenticator app is maintained by a small group of 20%-ers within Google. Although we'd love to give the app some more love, engineers need to allocate limited cycles to many competing priorities. Please check the box below to make sure that we're on the same page.

Feature Description

I'd like a feature in the Authenticator app that lets me pause the refreshing of a 6-digit code as I enter it during the sign-in process. I would like this feature because:

The ability to momentarily pause the number-refreshing addresses these issues. Won't the numbers be stale sometimes? Yes, but as long as I am within the grace period that's OK, and the app could show me how old a code is without erasing it from sight.

Here is how I see it working (though I would happily welcome any implementation):

  1. you tap the code you want
  2. the code is shown in full-screen (bonus: it's easier to see!)
  3. when the code expires, it's not erased. Instead, the app indicates that it's stale.

Screenshot 2020-07-16 at 2 19 42 PM

Why is it important?

This is important because millions of people manually enter Authenticator codes onto other devices daily, and doing so under time pressure is 1.) stressful, and 2.) often leads to wasted time and effort if the number expires or is about to expire.

This would be a simple, secure, and intuitive addition to an already great app that could relieve people of the unneeded time-pressure of using 2-factor authentication.