2-Step Verification - Anyone using an Authenticator app?

Just got back from a long weekend away. Turned Amazon store on vacation mode before we left, just to minimize potential pitfalls. Found a new one, LOL.

Our location had no cell signal, but we did have Wi-Fi via Starlink. Was unable to get my phone to enable Wi-Fi calling, but was able to text and email just fine…most texts came through, EXCEPT for ones from Credit Card company AND my 2-Step Verification codes for Amazon.

When I went to log into Amazon to answer a customer question, I couldn’t retrieve the OTP and ended up having to drive 10 minutes to get cell reception, logged into my account with laptop and hotspot, and did it then.

Sounds like there is another way to work around the 2 Step Verification using an Authenticator App…has anyone done this ON A PC/Laptop? I now have the Amazon seller app on my cell phone, but it would be nice to have a way to get in via PC as well (and, likewise, could leave my employees packing orders while I’m away without having to text them to 2-Step code every day).

Thanks!

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I recommend the authenticator as it’s more secure. Each unique user for our account has their own authenticator.

Edit: And it works offline when you have no access to cell reception as well.

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We switched to the Authenticator app for 2 step verification and extremely happy we did. The app (we use the Google one and have also downloaded the Microsoft one) will download onto a cell phone and/or tablet. Our tablet is only WIFI (no cell connection) and the Authenticator(s) work on it just fine.

As far as an Authenticator for a PC, there isn’t one. However … if you have a MAC computer, you can get one.

We had an old iphone that we were not using (no cell connection) and had it setup to WIFI for the grandkids to mess with when they were here. We now use it for the Authenticator app and keep it by the laptop.

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Completely agree, I use the Google authenticator on my phone and never had any issues. Even if you don’t have mobile reception, you can still use the authenticator. I used to live outside the country so relying on text messages for verification wasn’t an option. This was by far the best, not only for Amazon but many online bank platforms will work with it as well.

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I recommend using an authenticator app as well. Authy works great for us, and you can backup the accounts on iCloud, if you use an iPhone.

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There is, however, the ability to use an emulator - such as BlueStacks, etc. - which can accomplish this.

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OK, so Authenticator sounds like the way to go.

I have 3 primary PC work stations that we use to log into Amazon…one at the warehouse (most important), one at home, and one at my office. I have a spare old iPhone that I can set up with WiFi at the warehouse, and put next to the computer. How does it work? Go to login to Amazon on the PC and we’ll get a prompt on the Authenticator app on the iphone with a PIN number to use? I can put the Authenticator app on my cell phone as well and be able to use it when I love into my home or office computer…

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Just open the Authenticator app … the code will show and cycle through (this will make sense when you have it set up) … start the login process and input the code generated by the Authenticator app and you are on your way.

Not sure if all Authenticator apps work exactly the same but, with the Google Authenticator app … you can down load it on multiple phones / tablets and use the same Google account. Once you have it set up on one phone, the second (3rd, 4th etc) phone is nothing more than downloading the app and signing in. The Authenticator will already have the Amazon code running on each addition phone with the same Google login. To keep the app off of your personal Google account, just create a new Google account to be use for just this purpose. You can use another login to set up any personal platforms (example banks) that need 2-factor verification codes and authenticator set ups available.

And like mentioned above, you can have multiple platforms on Authenticator app.

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Just to clarify, WIFI is not needed for the app to work. Of course you will need a connection to load the app on the phone, but after that you do not need a connection for the authenticator to work. We use Authy, Google, and Microsoft apps, all work fine, but Authy is my favorite.

-Ana

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I installed BlueStacks and it crashed my computer (laptop). Not sure why, but I’m not trying it again.

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Authy here, too…love it. Just wish they still supported the desktop version of the app. Phones can break or get lost…desktops really won’t be.

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