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Consider adding ability to momentarily pause 6-digit code from refreshing while entering it #123

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arel opened this issue Jul 16, 2020 · 0 comments
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arel commented Jul 16, 2020

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.

  • This feature request applies to the app downloaded from the Play Store.
  • This feature request is for the Github version of the app.

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.

  • I have acknowledged that filing this feature request does not obligate Google to implement my specific request.

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:

  • I commonly enter the 6-digit codes on another device (so I can't easily copy/paste the codes from my phone)
  • often the 6-digit code changes as I am entering it, causing me to start over and wish for a feature like this
  • I misjudge how long it takes to memorize and copy a 6-digit random number
  • I am usually too impatient to wait for the next code and believe in my ability to type fast (see previous bullet)
  • even with enough time, it is still unpleasantly stressful to enter a 6-digit random number under time pressure

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.

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