Google Account

As teased, Google is rolling out a redesign for its Account sign-in page across all services that better conforms to Material 3. 

A severe cookie-related vulnerability that first involves malware exfiltrating files from Chrome looks to allow access to Google Accounts even after passwords are changed. 

Google is making a big change to how it stores Location History data on Android and iOS. Instead of that data being stored in the cloud, Google will be locally saving Location History to your device with end-to-end encrypted cloud backups for “Your Timeline” in Maps also offered. 

Google has warned that inactive Google accounts – including Gmail, Photos, and more – will be deleted sometime in December. If you want to keep that account, this guide will show you how you can do that.

After launching in May, Google will soon actively encourage users to set up passkeys for their Gmail, YouTube, and other first-party accounts.

Google has redesigned the account switcher used across Google Search, Gmail, Docs, and more, introducing a larger UI with Material You styling.

Fitbit is moving away from its own account and password system to just use Google’s. This provides a number of benefits and is rolling out now. 

In 2020, Google said it would remove content stored in an inactive account (but not the account itself) to preserve storage space. Google is now updating its inactivity policy so that old, unused accounts will be deleted starting later this year.

Google has spent the past several years working to replace passwords because of frequent reuse, vulnerability to data breaches, and phishing. Passkeys are the industry solution, and the ability to log in to your Google Account with them is starting to roll out.

As we previously spotted, Fitbit shared today that its transition to using Google Accounts for logging in and new device registration will start this summer.

After debuting in Messages on Android, the Google Account switcher on the web is getting a Material You redesign.

If checking the Pixel’s Security & privacy menu returns a “Google Account may be at risk” alert encouraging you to “Add a screen lock,” you’re not alone today.

Back in September, Google started updating the account switcher found in the top-right corner of all its Android apps, and it’s now getting more Material You and Dynamic Color.

Starting in 2023, Fitbit will require a Google Account to use new devices and features. As part of transitioning to a single account system, Fitbit.com is losing support for Google sign-in.

Enabling two-factor authentication for the vast majority of your online accounts is the bare minimum in this day and age. Google Pay will soon require 2FA (2SV) to “view any payment info.”

In addition to announcing initial Android and Chrome support, Google today detailed how passkeys on Android will sync to its Password Manager.

Apple, Google, Microsoft, and others in the industry want to replace website/app passwords with “passkeys” that just require you to unlock your device. Starting today, Android and Google Chrome will support signing in with passkeys.

With the launch of Fitbit’s latest devices, “Fitbit by Google” branding was introduced. The Sense 2 and Versa 4 already have a UI modeled after Wear OS 3, but the integration is getting deeper from 2023 onward when Google Accounts will be required to use Fitbit.