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Why Steam Mobile Authenticator doesn't remember known computers?

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yomisma

Before Steam Mobile Authenticator, once you entered your security code received by email in one new computer, that computer was remembered at least for a long time, even if you logged in that same computer with another Steam account. All accounts were remembered and there was no need to re-enter another verification code.

My brother and I have a couple of computers that we both use, and since I started using the Mobile Authenticator I need to re-enter the code every time that he logs out and I login with my account.

This is extremely annoying. I live in an old house, and for going from my bedroom to the room where I have one of these computers I have to go down the stairs, go though an outside patio and go again upstairs. Imagine my face when once there I realize that I need to enter the code and I've left my phone in my bedroom...

Does anybody know if this will stay always this way? Might this be something temporal since this mobile thing is relatively new? I don't understand why with the email guard all computers were remembered but not with mobile guard thing.

(And no, I am not going to disable it, even though I am tempted to do so)

8 years ago

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18 Comments
Bloom3D

Thats how it is supposed to work .
You need to enter the code EVERY time you log in , as an extra security measure .
I dont think its that big of a deal .

8 years ago
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yomisma

When you have to enter the code more than 5 times a day and like me don't always carry your phone, it is a big deal.

8 years ago
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Bloom3D

Well i rather be slightly inconvenient for ~30 seconds every time i try to log in , rather then losing my account , and having to deal with Steam Support :)

I dont know why you need to log in/out so many times a day , but i still think the system is fine the way it is .

Worse thing , you may get used to carrying your phone around with you :P

8 years ago
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MaxBedlam

Because taking your phone with you when you want to log in is soooo hard.
FirstWorldProblems lol...

Also if you have a couple of computers, why don't you just each take one, instead of both using them all?

8 years ago*
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yomisma

He has his computer and I have mine. Then there is a couple of other computers/devices that we use when we play together, and there are some games that we have started on his account (with the save game and achievements associated to his account) and some games that we have started on mine.
One day of local co-op can go like this:
-Let's play A: my account
-Let's play B: his account
-Let's play C: my account again (enter code)
...
...
...
And that can go sometimes combined with local streaming, which means changing accounts in both computers.
Even with the family sharing feature the are still some games that he owns and likes to play sometimes solo.

8 years ago
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Black3ird

Read this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-factor_authentication

And as @Sa6peto told it is the way it works. You got to choose Security vs Annoyance.

8 years ago
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dingbat

interestingly, my bank has chosen convenience

8 years ago
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talgaby

I'm using at least three computers and two Steam accounts daily and this may be pushed to five PCs this year. Yet I am still alive without any long-term psychological scars. I think you can live with it too.
Or get the Desktop Authenticator to have a copy-paste version if it really bothers you that much. It also acts as a two-click trade confirmator.

8 years ago
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DominusFerrus

yup thats one of the few and relatively new pleasures ...

  • SGMA code on login (except one uses 1 account ONLY and has ticked on "remember me")
  • SGMA code when buying (sometimes)
  • SGMA code when buying multiple times (again)
  • SGMA code for selling orders above some bucks
  • SGMA code in the browser (sometimes)
  • SGMA code to confirm trades
  • SGMA code to confirm changes (ok)

^ best way around this pest, is stop trading lol or have a
second account without this stupid (overprotective) feature

noticed on my own behavior i've stopped
logging in on steam unless i have to

8 years ago*
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adamvansanten

Exactly why I don't use the authenticator. I'd rather wait 72 hours on trades than have to grab my phone every time I start Steam.

8 years ago
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artygrand

Example: you in cafe with open wifi, once login and forget logout. And your cookie is sniffed by wifi router

8 years ago
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MhmdAMiNE

You can use WinAuth, so there will be no need for the phone

8 years ago
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Hamed

Imagine a hacking group successfully breach the Steam security levels and decide to share username and password of Steam users on internet for any reason ( for example for fun! ) - like the scenario that happened for PlayStation Network Users a few years ago -by using Mobile Authenticator mode other users stil need the CODE to log in to your account.

8 years ago*
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VanScythe

The PC end of login will only remember the computer if the cookies are still on the comp. Once you clean those out, you have to do the code again. I have to every time I use CCleaner. As for the mobile end, I'm not sure why it does that except for the added security, and I don't think it can be turned off.

8 years ago
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Dhoni

sorry for going off the topic but i really want to know how this steam authenticator generates the code which doesint match even once!

reply would be appreciated

8 years ago
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kilep

But they might match from time to time. It's just very improbable. There are 36^5 = 60 466 176 different combinations of symbols in the code.

8 years ago
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Dhoni

i mean what is the program that helps in generating such codes with doesint even match atleast once!!

8 years ago
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docRAM

You can use apps like pushbullet. It is very simple to use. It mirrors notifications of phone to computer. So you will see the Steam code on your computer also.
Tip: As its a shared computer, turn on pushbullet only when you are using the computer. Else others also see the notifications.

8 years ago
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