With an ever-greater focus on privacy and security, two-factor verification has become a touchstone for people keen to secure their accounts from intruders.
However, the process of two-step verification in practice is a bit of a drag. It seems to add an extra level of hassle just to log in.
But wouldn't it be wonderful if there was an app to streamline and simplify the entire process?
Well, there is. But it's probably not Duo Mobile.
It's glitchy, and the interface is just plain dull. While it seems to work okay for some people, plenty of others vent about the app. And not in a good way.
● Secure two-factor authentication
● One tap verification
● You can use it for any web service or app that uses passcodes
Duo Mobile does its thing by working in tandem with Duo Security's two-factor verification service. The Duo Mobile app generates passcodes for logins and sends push notifications to users to tap for easy authentication.
Duo Mobile requires activation and linking if you already have a Duo account. You are sent an activation link during the Duo registration process, and you can add third-party accounts as needed.
The iOS app works with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
The app is oriented towards business and universities, and schools. However, if you change your phone, you must unlink all your accounts from Duo first or be locked out from everything forever.
There are many horror stories around about people having their life turned upside down by not being able to recover their accounts. Do not get rid of your old phone until you are 100% sure you have straightened everything out on your new phone.
If you don't, you will be locked into a death spiral of dead ends and support ticket raising to no avail.
On the upside, the Duo support center is stuffed with resources and FAQ to help you learn more about the app and troubleshoot any problems you may encounter. In fact, it might be a smart move to go there first before installing the app since the app descriptions on Google Play and the App Store are exceedingly concise and lacking in detail.
● Free
● Supports English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese
● Buggy
● There's a genuine danger of being locked out of accounts when you change phones
● Dreary, cheerless interface
Duo Mobile is downloadable from Google Play and Apple's App Store. The Android app requires 11 MB of storage space and Android 8.0 or later.
The iOS version needs 30 MB's worth of storage and iOS 12.0 or later.
Given the shortcomings, the app scores 3.5 out of five at Google Play based on just short of 25,000 reviews. App Store reviewers are even harsher in their assessment, rating Duo Mobile as a worryingly below average 2.3 out of five. Reviewers on both platforms have been scathing.
The app used to work with Windows Phones, but support was withdrawn in 2020.
