Multiple authenticator apps are available depending on your device type. Your selection will depend on key features such as the ability of the app to synchronize across multiple devices, offer a cloud backup, and in come cases, its compatibility with pasword-free access to your commonly used services.

Mobile Apps

Some of the popular Authenticator apps are:

1. Authy
2. Google Authenticator
3. Microsoft Authenticator
4. Duo

All of the above are available for Android and iOS, and so if installing on a mobile device, you may select either one of them.

We recommend using an Authenticator app that allows synchronizing multiple devices or offers a cloud backup option.

Multiple Devices

Authy offers both those options. For instance, you could install Authy on your own mobile phone and your spouse’s. If you enable its multi-device mode, then the logins you add on one mobile phone automatically get added to the other one as well. So the second mobile device becomes a backup device, and can be used in case your mobile phone is lost, stolen, damaged, or traded-in after buying a new phone.

Of course, if your account holds data subject to HIPAA or other regulations, then your spouse cannot be given access to your account and should not be told your password (the MFA token alone is not sufficient to login). If a second mobile device or a spouse’s device is not an option, consider using a second authenticator app on your computer (see the section below on authentictor apps for computers).

Cloud Backup

If you do not want to use a backup device, you may use Authy’s cloud backup option.

Duo also offers a cloud backup option.

The LastPass Authenticator also offers a cloud backup option.

If you decide to use an Authenticator app without a multi-device or backup mode, install the app on at least two devices and then scan the QR code using each when enabling 2FA on Encyro. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a backup, or you may not be able to login to your account.

If you also use a Microsoft login for Office 365, outlook.com or other Microsoft services, installing the Microsoft Authenticator app has the advantage that the app will allow password-free login to those services in many situations.

Authenticator Apps for Computers (laptops, desktops)

If you wish to install an authenticator app on your computer, consider the options below. Keep in mind that if you are adding the computer as a second device for backup, it needs to be added to the MFA when adding the first device. So if you already added one device earlier, you will need to first login, disable MFA, and then re-enable MFA, this time adding the QR code or token to both devices.

Update: Authy was previously mentioned in this list but that app is now at end of life. Thanks, Evan Ross, for bringing it to our attention.

Consider these options for desktop authenticator apps:

1. WinAuth: This is available for Windows PCs.

2. KeePassXC: This is available as an app for Windows, Mac, and Linux as well as a browser extension.

3. Authenticator Chrome Extension: This is available as a Chrome extension. You may use this on either Windows or Mac OS provided you use Chrome as your web browser.

4. GAuth Chrome Extension: This is also a Chrome extension. You may use this on either Windows or Mac OS provided you use Chrome as your web browser.

5. Authenticator.cc: This is another browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

There are additional products available for this purpose as well, such as the 1Password and Secrets.app browser extensions but they are not free.

If you need specific suggestions for an authenticator app for your scenario, feel free to contact us.