Scan results

    Google Authenticator

    Android

    Adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts with two-factor authentication. Verification codes are generated on your device without internet and sync across your devices for seamless, secure access.

    TRUSTED

    This app cleared every trust check that applied to it, with no red flags.

    The five trust checks

    CITT SCORE
    96
    out of 100
    TRUSTED

    Quick Verdict

    Best for: General use with standard privacy expectations

    What It Means For You

    Usage data and device activity may be shared with the app developer and any integrated services. Review the category summary below for details.

    Method and Limitations

    Static analysis only. CITT reviewed the code of this build without running the app, so runtime behavior was not observed. The findings below describe the analyzed build and may not reflect server-side controls or later versions. CITT makes no determination about compliance with any law or platform policy; it reports what the artifacts contain and cites the published guidance so a reader can compare.

    How CITT scores an app

    Findings (7)

    Network Security

    1 total
    1 Info

    Code Security

    2 total
    2 Low

    Privacy

    3 total
    1 Low
    2 Info

    Third-Party Risk

    1 total
    1 Info

    Third-Party Services

    Google ML Kit (Barcode), Google Play Services (GMS), Google Phenotype, Google Primes, Firebase Transport (CCT), Google MDI Sync, AndroidX Room, AndroidX WorkManager, Kotlin Coroutines, gRPC, Glide, Firebase Components, Google Consent Verifier

    Security Strengths

    • AES-256-GCM with hardware-backed AndroidKeyStore, randomized IV and AAD
    • FLAG_SECURE applied globally across all activities including via ActivityLifecycleCallbacks
    • Android Auto-Backup disabled (allowBackup=false)
    • OTP database stored in credential-protected storage, inaccessible before first unlock
    • Cleartext traffic globally disabled (usesCleartextTraffic=false)
    What changed since the last scan

    Version diff is on the Developer plan. See developer plans.

    Context Tags

    sensitive data
    security

    Package

    com.google.android.apps.authenticator2

    Version

    7.1 (versionCode 7001056)

    Analysis Date

    Jun 26, 2026

    Classes Analyzed

    8,457

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    View on Play Store

    Recommendation: Very Secure

    Excellent 2FA solution with industry-standard encryption and comprehensive security practices. Safely syncs your authentication codes across devices, keeping you protected no matter where you access your accounts.

    Key Findings

    Data Security - 0 findings

    Network Security - 1 finding (1 info)

    Code Safety - 3 findings (2 low, 1 info)

    Privacy - 3 findings (1 low, 2 info)

    Privacy Concerns

    What Data is Collected

    • Authentication codes: Generated and stay on your device. The underlying account secrets may be transmitted to Google's infrastructure if you choose to enable cross-device sync.

    • Account names and issuers: Stored on your device; these sync to Google's servers if you enable the account sync feature.

    • Deidentified app performance data: Memory, battery, and crash metrics are sent to Google. No authentication data is attached to these reports.

    Third-Party Data Sharing

    The following third parties may receive your data:

    • Google - Deidentified app performance metrics (no authentication data included). If account sync is enabled, your authentication account data is transmitted through Google's infrastructure for cross-device access.

    Understanding the Scores

    Security: 97/100
    Privacy: 95/100

    Security Breakdown

    • Data Security: 100/100 - Outstanding protection. Authentication codes are secured with strong encryption tied to your device's hardware security chip and remain inaccessible to other apps.

    • Network Security: 99/100 - All connections are encrypted. The app enforces secure connections globally and blocks unencrypted traffic throughout.

    • Code Safety: 98/100 - Excellent code security posture with no dangerous permissions, no advertising or tracking SDKs, and multiple protective measures in place.

    Privacy Breakdown

    • Data Collection: 25/100 - When Google account sync is enabled, your authentication account names, issuers, and underlying secrets may be transmitted to Google's infrastructure. Deidentified app performance metrics are also sent to Google regardless of sync settings.

    • Data Sharing: 96/100 - No advertising, tracking, or third-party marketing SDKs receive your data. Data flows are limited to Google's own infrastructure.

    • User Control: 97/100 - You decide whether to enable account sync, and the developer provides options to request deletion of your data.

    Positive Security Features

    • Authentication codes are secured with strong encryption tied to your device's hardware security chip, making them extremely difficult to extract even if your device falls into the wrong hands.

    • The app blocks screenshots and screen recordings globally across every screen, protecting your codes from screen-capture malware.

    • Your authentication database is excluded from Android's automatic backup system, preventing it from being copied to cloud storage without your explicit action.

    • Your authentication database is stored in secure storage that is inaccessible before your device is first unlocked after a reboot.

    • All network connections are encrypted throughout the app. Unencrypted connections are globally blocked.

    • Camera access is used only for QR code scanning directly on your device. No images are transmitted anywhere.

    • No advertising, attribution, or tracking SDKs from third-party marketing companies are included.

    • The account transfer process cannot be triggered by other apps on your device.

    Areas for Improvement

    GDPR / CCPA Compliance

    The app's privacy practices could be strengthened by:

    1. Cross-Device Sync Transparency
      Clearer in-app disclosure about whether authentication secrets transmitted during Google account sync are protected end-to-end between your devices, or accessible to Google's infrastructure, would help you make a fully informed choice before enabling sync.

    2. Performance Telemetry Opt-Out
      Providing an in-app option to opt out of sending deidentified performance metrics to Google would give privacy-focused users greater control over what leaves their device.

    Security Enhancements

    1. QR Code Link Verification
      Verifying the identity of the app or website initiating an account enrollment via the otpauth:// link format would reduce the risk of a deceptive enrollment dialog being presented by a malicious app.

    2. Legacy Encryption Migration
      Accounts migrated from very old device installations may still hold data protected by an older encryption scheme. Adding a one-time migration step to bring any such legacy data up to the current encryption standard would eliminate this residual concern.

    Technical Context

    App Type: Two-factor authentication, high-sensitivity credentials
    Classes Analyzed: 8,457
    Third-Party Services: 13
    Context Tags: sensitive_data, security


    About This Analysis

    This security analysis was conducted by CITT (Can I Trust That), an independent security analysis service. We perform static code analysis on Android applications to help users make informed decisions about app security and privacy.

    App Details

    Developer: Google LLC
    Version: 7.1 (versionCode 7001056)
    Analysis Date: 2026-06-26
    Package: com.google.android.apps.authenticator2

    Analysis Limitations

    • Static analysis only (code review without running the app)
    • Based on APK version 7.1 analyzed on 2026-06-26
    • May not reflect server-side security controls
    • Cannot detect all runtime behaviors

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