Opening up Steam Guard authenticator to third party apps

[Charmander]

Dear Steam devs / PMs,

I’d like to request a reconsideration of the usage of the steam app for authentication. I know it’s a tall order to make. Nonetheless, I’d like to share my thoughts since I've been love Steam for 14 consecutive years, but I've been hating this part since I learned about authentication being something that exists.

So my request is:

• Ditch the authenticator from the steam app, open it up to third party apps

Reason include:

1. Can’t use multiple devices for authentication
   I have multiple devices on which I’d like to use the authenticator. Sometimes one device is in a place god knows where and it makes it impossible to authenticate.
   
2. I have multiple steam accounts
   A younger me thought it was a good idea for whatever historic reason to have two steam accounts. I can’t add multiple accounts to a single authenticator
   
3. I can't copy paste the code / insert it easily
   Proper 3rd party apps have an easy and secure way of copying a code to your devices. Think for instance password managers.
   
4. Interacting with the Steam app isn't a joy at all

The community has been quite unanimously sharing complaints about the steam app. I didn’t go through each comment, but the general consensus is:

• When browsing games, it opens an in-app browser anyways
  
• The UI is outdated and terrible UX
  
• It’s slow and unresponsive
  
• Random errors pop-up that can’t be resolved
  
• It is simply a lock-in because of the steam authenticator and to chat with friends
  https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/hjq39g/the_steam_mobile_app_is_horrendous_and_im_sick_of/
  https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/j66vxc/the_steam_mobile_app_is_fantastic/
  https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/eizhss/the_steam_app_is_awful/
  https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/brlz36/new_steam_app_looking_good/
  https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/ooerzp/why_is_the_steam_mobile_app_still_so_terrible/
  https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/bubtgh/whats_even_the_point_of_the_mobile_app_if_tapping/

I know that I could consider using email authentication but I really dislike that for security reasons like being able to change password and email just by getting access to my email. Also depending on the time of day I’m using different email inboxes, but can’t set up multiple in my steam account. Besides, why offer 2FA if we should work around it with email authentication if it sucks.

p.s. I couldn’t find any post sharing thoughts on specifically 2FA, hence I warrant this deserved a post.

[alfredowr]

nbv b

[my new friend]

You can add as many accounts to 1 authenticator as you want. I have 4.

[big balls]

>A younger me thought it was a good idea for whatever historic reason to have two steam accounts.

Lemme guess, VAC ban?

[my new friend]

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[Charmander]

Originally posted by juicy juice. i crave juice man:

>A younger me thought it was a good idea for whatever historic reason to have two steam accounts.

Lemme guess, VAC ban?

Hahaha, I honestly don’t know. Could well be

[Уебище]

kok

[Jjjj222]

Authy supports multiple devices and I have it on both my phones. It relieves me because I know if I lose 1 of my phones I still have the other.

As for steam guard... If I lost the one phone I ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up.

[Bill]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.