I recently upgraded from a Pixel 6a to a Pixel 8 Pro (I forgot to make a blog update about 2ish years ago about the upgrade from the 3a to the 6a). I like the Pixel series because I can install GrapheneOS on it, and at least feel a little more secure. I’ve been using GrapheneOS since 2020, and I’ve learned to live without many of the “features” modern phones come with. I used to rely heavily on Google’s 2 factor authentication method of using the phone to certify user entry into web services such as Gmail or Google Docs. However, until recently, I used the Google Authenticator code generator app, as it could be run offline.
Until recently.
A few months ago, the code generator app updated, and Google forced all users to log in in order to continue using the app. However, because I did not have Google Play Services installed on my phone, the authenticator app just deleted all of the codes I had saved on the app. I had roughly 50 different log ins associated with the Google Authenticator, and Google had just locked me out of several emails, banking services, phone services, and even the server that I use to post my website on.
What’s even worse is that customer service is almost entirely automated, and usually necessitates logging on in order to start a customer service issue. This was especially difficult, as I was locked out of my emails, and that made it impossible for me to reset my passwords, or disable my 2 factor authentication. Luckily for me, at least for my emails, and a few of my services (like the server), I stored back up codes on my computer, just in case something like this happened. I managed to log back into my emails, and get everything mostly reset.
This was a massive headache, and it only happened because the team managing the Google Authenticator app decided that they needed to update their app, and delete the onboard data of anyone who didn’t/couldn’t log in. I love Google because they provide open source software such as Android and Chromium, which people then use to make GrapheneOS or Vanadium. However, I hate Google, because ultimately they want everyone using their services, so they can harvest and sell data.