Confused about 2FA

[taiowa]

Don't laugh, but would someone please explain to me how to use two-factor authentication apps. I've downloaded several of them but then I'm like," now what?" I've Googled and can't find anything that tells me step-by-step. Google sources assume that I already know how to use one.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Hadron]

Do you mean something like the "authenticator" apps that people like MS or Google produce? For these things you provide some setup information (e.g. a barcode or key provided by the service you are trying to connect to), and then they generate a code every 60 seconds or so. Then when you are trying to log in you enter the current code (the one displaying on your screen at that moment) and submit your credentials - if there are only a few seconds to go wait until it generates a new code (to allow for lags in the system).

If you mean something else, can you give an example?

 

[taiowa]

Do you mean something like the "authenticator" apps that people like MS or Google produce? For these things you provide some setup information (e.g. a barcode or key provided by the service you are trying to connect to), and then they generate a code every 60 seconds or so. Then when you are trying to log in you enter the current code (the one displaying on your screen at that moment) and submit your credentials - if there are only a few seconds to go wait until it generates a new code (to allow for lags in the system).

If you mean something else, can you give an example?

All that and more. There are apps that I need an authenticator 2 factor for. Like for example, Firefox I've been trying to get into it for months, but,i won't let me in until I give it a generated authentication pin or something. I have no idea what it's talking about nor do I know how to use this sort of app.

 

[svim]

Before you start getting into any separate, third-party authentication app you might find it much easier to just start with one app and set up two-factor authentication on just that app. You have to use apps that support whichever third-party authentication app anyway, so instead of starting with the more involved approach, start with one app first, get familiar with how it works, and then move on to something more advanced.
Try enabling this on your Google account by following these directions:
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en&oco=1
Once you get that set up, log in and out of your Google account so you see how it works. Then try enabling two-factor authentication on another app, like your text messaging app and get used to how that works. If you then want to implement a third-party service to manage multiple logins, just keep in mind that this isn't a universally-applied thing that works with very app, it's only apps that require a user log in authentication and those apps have to support that chosen service.

 

[taiowa]

Before you start getting into any separate, third-party authentication app you might find it much easier to just start with one app and set up two-factor authentication on just that app. You have to use apps that support whichever third-party authentication app anyway, so instead of starting with the more involved approach, start with one app first, get familiar with how it works, and then move on to something more advanced.
Try enabling this on your Google account by following these directions:
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185839?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en&oco=1
Once you get that set up, log in and out of your Google account so you see how it works. Then try enabling two-factor authentication on another app, like your text messaging app and get used to how that works. If you then want to implement a third-party service to manage multiple logins, just keep in mind that this isn't a universally-applied thing that works with very app, it's only apps that require a user log in authentication and those apps have to support that chosen service.

I am so sorry for the late response. Does this app give notifications?

 

[svim]

It's not an app, it's a matter of enabling an existing feature that's an opt-in service.
(opt-in being something that exists and it's up to the user to enable/disable vs opt-out being something that's exists and enabled by default and it's up to the user to intentionally opt-out)
However you manage your various apps, that do or don't include 2FA, is up to your discretion.

 

[svim]

Perhaps you're referring to the various 2FA apps you installed instead? They're also a viable option instead of the Google account 2FA but whatever the case, plan ahead, just in case the worst case scenario happens, you lose your phone:
https://lifehacker.com/what-do-i-do-if-i-use-two-factor-authentication-and-los-1668727532