Utilize an Android device to authenticate your Google account on iOS devices
Google has recently introduced a new method for logging into Google accounts on iOS devices using an Android phone. This innovative approach leverages cross-platform integration, allowing users to authenticate on their iOS device using credentials or features linked to their Android phone.
How it Works
The process primarily involves using a Google Account and Google Password Manager that syncs passwords, passkeys, and sign-in data across devices via Google Chrome. On Android, Google Password Manager stores this information safely and syncs it across devices. On iOS devices, when signing into apps or websites, the Google Sign-in option can tap into this synced credential data, allowing users to authenticate without having to manually enter passwords.
Prerequisites
To use this feature, users must have a Google Account linked to both their Android phone and iOS device. Google Password Manager should be active, syncing credentials primarily through Chrome. Certain transfers, such as password copying during device setup, may require additional prerequisites like iOS version 18.2 or earlier needing a Mac for password transfer, and the Android phone must be purchased from the Google Store to access certain direct setup features. iOS devices also require network and app permissions enabled for apps like Google Photos and backup services when preparing data for a new Android device.
Using the New Sign-In Option
To use the new sign-in option, users need to install Google's Smart Lock app on their iOS device. During the sign-in process, Google uses Bluetooth to ping the Android phone from the iOS device. The verification message for the new sign-in process is sent from the Android phone to the iOS device. It's important to note that this new sign-in method is only available for the main Google account and does not work for third-party apps or services that use Google's sign-in option.
The Future of Passwords
This new sign-in method is part of Google's ongoing efforts to eliminate the need for passwords, which are vulnerable to phishing, data breaches, and people using the same password across multiple accounts. Google prefers users to use Apple's recently announced sign-in feature over regular passwords. The company's ultimate goal is to "kill the password," making online accounts more secure and user-friendly.
[1] Google Support: Google Password Manager on iOS [4] Google Support: Set up your new Pixel phone
- This new method for logging into Google accounts on iOS devices, centralizing authentication using Android phones, can be categorized as a significant step in the realm of tech and technology, as showcased by Gizmodo.
- As we move towards the future, the integration of smartphones into our daily lives, including the use of gadgets and devices like the Android phone and the upcoming elimination of passwords by Google, signifies a profound evolution in the technology sector.
- In the world of tech, the ongoing efforts by companies like Google to enhance the security and convenience of online accounts, especially by phasing out passwords in favor of more secure alternatives, is a trend that technology enthusiasts and viewers of tech resources like Gizmodo would find noteworthy.
