This is the end for the Authy desktop app. The service which offers its tool for double authentication will focus in the future on Android and iOS. The versions for Windows, MacOS and Linux will be discontinued after August 2024.
A page is turning for Authy. Starting August 2024, its dedicated two-factor authentication desktop app will stop working. This is what we can read in a support page from the company Authy, spotted by GHacks and also relayed on Reddit. This concerns versions of the software for Windows, MacOS and Linux.
“ We have made the difficult decision to discontinue Twilio Authy desktop applications in order to streamline our business and deliver more value to existing product solutions for which we see growing demand “, we read in the message. Recommendations are provided to help those affected get through this process.
On Reddit, Internet users expressed their dismay. “ I guess I’ll change apps “, said one. “ Well, that sucks. I frequently use the Windows version of Authy », says another. “ It’s a real shame for users who switch from one operating system to another on a daily basis. », Comments a third.
Double authentication, or strong authentication, refers to security that comes in addition to the password when connecting to a space. This requires entering a code in a specific field, before a count is processed. This code can be sent by SMS or generated by a dedicated application linked to the space in question.
Authy is one of these services offering to manage double authentication of sites and display codes. For example, it supports Amazon, Discord, Reddit, Facebook, Nintendo, Epic Games and Proton, to name just a handful of renowned services. The codes are six digits and are systematically renewed after a short time.
This is a common option in tech today, and it is highly recommended to put it on as many of your accounts as possible. This provides a very good second layer of protection, in case the password is compromised. It’s not the only thing to do, but it is one of the most effective and simplest levers to activate. There are also other best practices to know.
Please note that this measure only affects the desktop application. The software is still available on iOS and Android. The download page lists them nicely. Curiously, there are also links to download versions of Authy on PC. However, we can expect the page to be updated soon to remove these options.
If the explanations are lacking, we can analyze this shift as the concern of Twilio – the parent company – to follow the uses of the public (double authentication is mainly done via mobile) and to take away work (only two systems of operation will still be supported after August). They are the ones who will benefit from updates in the future, particularly security updates.
Migrate to the mobile app or to a rival
For those who embrace this change head on, there is still time before the beans run out. But we must now ask ourselves the question of what comes next. The simplest transition is to switch to the Authy iOS or Android applications, in order to broadly maintain the same user experience.
The other option is to migrate to another third-party application that handles two-factor authentication on the desktop operating system you are using. Twilio lists five options, but insists that they are not developed by it. You will change service provider: the best known here are 1Password and KeePassXC.
Best known for its password manager service, 1Password easily replaces Authy to manage double authentication. It works on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS. For KeePassXC, it is also found on Windows, MacOS and Linux. KeePassXC is a variant of KeePassX, itself a derivative of KeePass, another manager.
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