Google Account switcher on the web gets Material You redesign
After debuting in Messages on Android, the Google Account switcher on the web is getting a Material You redesign.
Expand Expanding Close
Pixel’s Security & privacy showing erroneous ‘Add a screen lock’ alert
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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Account switcher getting more Material You and Dynamic Color tweaks
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.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit removing Google sign-in support ahead of account transition
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.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Pay website requiring 2FA from December onwards
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.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Password Manager will sync and back up passkeys on Android
In addition to announcing initial Android and Chrome support, Google today detailed how passkeys on Android will sync to its Password Manager.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle starts rolling out passkey support for Android and Chrome
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.
Expand Expanding Close
Google Account switcher on Android getting Material You tweaks
One of the most common UI components across first-party Google apps is the account switcher, and it’s picking up more Material You elements.
Expand Expanding CloseFitbit will require a Google Account to use new devices and features from 2023 onward
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.
Expand Expanding Close
How to manage payment methods in your Google Account
Buying things and paying for subscriptions online has been completely normalized and is one of the easiest ways to do so. Google lets you add and keep debit and credit card information stored in your Google Account, so you have that info wherever you go. One important aspect of this is being able to manage payment methods in your Google Account, whether that’s adding or removing them. Here’s how to do that.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Location History will soon auto-delete visits to abortion clinics
Following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, people have raised concerns about how sensitive health and location data could be used against them. Google today announced “additional steps [it’s] taking to protect user privacy around health issues,” including auto-deleting abortion clinic visits from Location History.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Password Manager starts offering on-device encryption on Android, iOS, and Chrome
The technology industry (Apple, Google, Microsoft) ultimately wants to get rid of passwords with passkeys. Until then, the Google Password Manager is starting to offer on-device encryption so that “only you can see your passwords.”
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle previews how password-killing ‘passkeys’ will work on Android, Chrome
Following our report last month, Google today announced its support for “passwordless FIDO Sign-in standards” and previewed what the end-user experience of passkeys on Android and Chrome will look like.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid readying support for password-replacing ‘passkeys’ that sync to your Google Account
The security industry, as organized by the FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance, has been working to replace passwords given people’s tendency to use weak ones or reuse them. Two-factor authentication (2FA) has helped to remedy that but the future is “passkeys,” with Android and Google readying support.
Expand Expanding CloseAssistant Guest Mode supporting more languages & Google Fi getting family location sharing
For Safer Internet Day 2022, Google is previewing a handful of new features across several products, including Assistant, Fi, and Account security, and a slew of related initiatives.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle auto-enabled 2SV for over 150M people leading to 50% decrease in compromised accounts
Last year, Google started automatically enabling 2-Step Verification for end users. It has now successfully done so for 150 million people and this 2SV requirement has resulted in a 50% decrease of compromised Google Accounts.
Expand Expanding Close
How to create custom Gmail profile pictures with Google Illustrations
Having a Google Account means customizing it to your heart’s content. That truly becomes the case when choosing a profile picture, since that picture is the face of your account and the thing that everyone sees. Google Illustrations is a tool integrated into Gmail for Android that lets you create custom profile pictures and really spice up your account.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle is now requiring 2-Step Verification (2SV) for many more accounts [Updated]
Back in May, Google said it would start automatically enabling two-factor authentication on eligible accounts. As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Google today provided an update on its account 2SV efforts.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle tweaks 2-Step Verification backup codes UI and OAuth screen
Google is rolling out two security-related changes that are aimed at simplifying the process of getting 2-Step Verification (2SV) backup codes through a new page and approving permissions on the OAuth screen.
Expand Expanding CloseNew ‘Google Illustrations’ tool lets you build a custom profile picture for Gmail
Besides appearing in the top-right corner of every Google app, your avatar is most prominently used for Gmail. A new “Google Illustrations” tool lets you find and build a custom profile picture.
Expand Expanding CloseNew ‘Google Identity Services’ consolidate sign-in for 3rd-party apps, includes ‘One Tap’
Where supported, “Sign in with Google” is a convenient way to log in to third-party services without having to keep track of different passwords. Google is now consolidating its sign-in offerings, which includes the new “One Tap,” under “Google Identity Services.”
Expand Expanding CloseChrome for Android becoming a 2FA security key for Google Account sign-in
For the past few years, Google has aggressively encouraged adoption of two-factor authentication (2FA) — or 2-Step Verification (2SV) as the company refers to it. This includes physical security keys that plug in over USB, while it also offers phone security keys. The latest effort turns Chrome for Android into a security key for Google Account sign-in.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle disabling Gmail, YouTube, and other Account sign-ins on very old Android devices
Given the service-reliant nature, Google support for Android encompasses multiple layers. One such way is controlling Account access, and Google next month is ending sign-in support for very old versions of Android.
Expand Expanding CloseCarrier caught injecting ‘SMS AD’ into Google verification code message [Update: Comment]
SMS is widely regarded as an insecure form of two-factor authentication, and another example of this has just emerged. A carrier looks to be injecting ads into the Google verification code used to sign in to services like Gmail.
Expand Expanding Close