No love from Google?
When you enable 2-factor authentication in Google / Gmail (we wrote an article about that, too) you might want to setup an authentication app on your Windows Phone. Been there. Couldn’t do it. The thing is, Google doesn’t offer an app for Windows Phone 7 / 8. Now what? Buy a Blackberry?
The solution for fellow Windows Phone users
If you own a Windows Phone and would still use an authentication app – which doesn’t require data / an internet connection, you’re not out of luck – Microsoft has you covered. Microsoft has created it’s own authenticator app, which is 100% compatible with Google Authenticator (and thus, Google or Gmail). With that app, you can use the following “workaround”.
- Go to the Windows Store on your phone
- Search for Microsoft Authenticator, and install the app.
- Follow the instructions for setting up Google Authenticator
- Pick any phone – it doesn’t matter which one.
Add a new account
- Open the app, and click the “+” button to add a new account.
Name the account
- Name the account, E.G My Gmail
- Click the “Camera button”, and scan the QR code on the screen
- Once the account is added, enter the code into Gmail, and verify the code.
Your app is now setup and good to go, with only a tiny bit of tinkering. Best of luck with your Windows Phone endeavours!