Protect Your Digital Life: The Best 2FA Apps for iPhone and Android

Updated Jul 14, 2023

Are you worried about the security of your online accounts? You’re not alone! Password breaches and hacks are becoming more common, and it’s essential to protect your accounts from potential attacks.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a simple solution that adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts. These apps add an extra security to your online accounts by requiring two forms of identification instead of just a password. It’s like having a second lock on your front door, so it’s harder for burglars to break in.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the top 2FA apps for iOS, so you can keep your online accounts safe and secure. We understand how challenging it can be to choose the right one, so we’ll explain the pros and cons of the most common ones to help you make an informed choice. Let’s get started!

Those who don’t care to read our deep-dive into each app can skip to the conclusion: our pick is Authy.

Google Authenticator

✅ App can be locked (with biometrics).
✅ Codes can be accessed when offline.
⚠️ Back-up is a manual process.
❌ Multiple devices not supported.
❌ Appearance is not customizable.

Google Authenticator (iOS or Android) is extremely simple and easy-to-use (probably the simplest of this whole round-up). It can be locked with biometrics like Face ID and codes can be accessed offline. However, its bare bones design also means back-ups are an entirely manual process, and it lacks advanced features like multi-device support and visual customization.

Authy

✅ App can be locked (with a PIN or biometrics).
✅ Codes can be accessed when offline.
✅ Back-up in Authy Cloud.
✅ Multi-device support.
✅ Customize appearance with icons and colors.

Authy is a powerful and well-designed 2FA app. Company logos and colors make your accounts visually distinct. It has all the features of the simpler apps (PIN or biometric lock, offline access), plus extensive back-up and multi-device support.

One of the standout features of Authy is the ability to access your codes on multiple devices. The same accounts appear on any device you sign into, and access can be revoked from lost or stolen devices. This makes it convenient but still secure for users who switch devices frequently.

To access many of these advanced features, you need to sign in with a phone number and email address.

LastPass Authenticator

✅ App can be locked (with a PIN or biometrics).
✅ Codes can be accessed when offline.
⚠️ Cloud back-up requires a separate app.
❌ No multi-device sync.
❌ Appearance is not customizable.

LastPass Authenticator (iOS or Android) has the simplicity of Google Authenticator plus a more advanced back-up system. The app is extremely simple to use but doesn’t support visual customization or multi-device sync. You can configure cloud back-ups, but this requires using a separate app called LastPass Password Manager.

Microsoft Authenticator

✅ App can be locked (with biometrics, like Face ID).
✅ Codes can be accessed when offline.
⚠️ Back-up requires a Microsoft account.
❌ Codes don’t sync across multiple devices, even when signed in.
❌ Appearance is not customizable.

Microsoft Authenticator, like LastPass, adds advanced back-up options to the basics of app lock-out and offline access. Cloud back-up doesn’t require a separate app, but you do need to sign-in with a Microsoft account. And although you can restore back-ups to multiple devices, your 2FA codes don’t automatically sync wherever you sign-in.

In addition to 2FA, Microsoft Authenticator also has a built-in password manager.

Duo Mobile

❌ No biometrics or PIN-based app lock.
✅ Codes can be accessed when offline.
⚠️ Back-ups via iCloud or Google Drive, poor UI.
⚠️ Limited multi-device support.
✅ Appearance is customizable.

Duo’s design is clean and simple. Adding codes is simple, and it doesn’t push you to sign in. When you add accounts, it automatically discovers the colors and logos of common services like Amazon.

Back-ups are tightly integrated with iCloud or Google Drive (depending on whether you have an iOS or Android device). It’s nice to have a well-rounded back-up feature that doesn’t require signing into a third-party service. However, the documentation is a little hard to follow.

You can’t set Duo to lock out the app with biometrics or a PIN code, unfortunately.

Which 2FA app should you choose in 2023?

In the world of two-factor authentication (2FA) apps, Authy stands out as a top contender. Its impressive blend of features and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for securing your accounts. One of Authy’s standout qualities is its multi-device sync functionality, which allows you to conveniently access your authentication codes across multiple devices.

While Google Authenticator may be considered the traditional option, it falls short in terms of backup capabilities. If you happen to fall behind on backups, recovering your accounts can become a cumbersome task. In contrast, Authy offers a smoother experience when it comes to account recovery and safeguarding your digital identity.

Another noteworthy mention is Microsoft’s 2FA app, which boasts a pleasant user interface and offers reliable security. However, it falls slightly behind Authy in terms of feature richness. Additionally, using the Microsoft app requires you to have an account with their service, which might not be as convenient for users who prefer a more versatile solution. We don’t think MS Authenticator adds enough value versus Authy to tempt users, unless they already have a Microsoft account.

Ultimately, when it comes to selecting a 2FA app that strikes a balance between robust features and user-friendliness, Authy emerges as our winner. Its impressive feature set, coupled with its intuitive design, ensures a secure and hassle-free experience for safeguarding your online accounts.