Frequently Asked Questions¶
About the app¶
Is it really free? Yes. No price, no subscription, no adverts, no "pro" version. Pebble IT makes Private Authenticator and gives it away.
Do I need an account? No. There is nothing to sign up for. The app never asks for your name, email address or anything else.
Does it work without the internet? Yes, completely. Codes are worked out from the setup key and the time, on the phone. The only things that use the internet are optional: iCloud Keychain sync (Apple's), and the two website links on the Info page.
Is there an Android, iPad or Mac version? Not today. Private Authenticator is made for iPhone, with a companion app for Apple Watch.
Can Pebble IT see my codes? No. They never leave your phone unless you choose to sync them (to Apple's iCloud Keychain, which Pebble IT can't read either), back them up, export them or send them to your Watch.
Using it¶
Why does it ask for Face ID every single time? Because that's what makes the codes private. Someone holding your unlocked phone can open any app, but they can't pass Face ID. It takes a fraction of a second.
Can I use a PIN instead of Face ID or Touch ID? No. Without Face ID or Touch ID set up, the app holds your accounts but won't show codes.
How do I delete one account? You archive it instead: swipe it on the Recent tab and tap Archive. It's hidden but kept. The only delete removes every account at once. See Archiving Instead of Deleting.
Can I change an account's setup key? No. Add the account again with the new key and archive the old one, or use a Replace Duplicates import. See Editing an Account.
How many tags can an account have? As many as you like. The code screen shows the first two rows and a "+3" style chip for the rest.
Why did my accounts arrive without tags? Other apps' exports don't carry tags. Only Private Authenticator's own backups do.
Steam¶
Does it do Steam Guard codes? Yes. See Adding a Steam Account.
Why can't I export my Steam account? Export uses Google Authenticator's format, which has no room for Steam codes. A backup keeps Steam accounts; use that to move them.
Where do I get my Steam setup key?
From an app that already holds your Steam account and can export it (such as Aegis), or from the shared_secret in a Steam Desktop Authenticator file. Steam's own mobile app doesn't give it out.
Syncing and moving¶
I have two iPhones. Will my accounts be on both? Yes if you chose Sync via iCloud Keychain when you first opened the app on each phone, and both are signed into the same Apple ID with iCloud Keychain on. See Syncing Between Your iPhones.
I chose "this device only" and now want sync (or the other way round). Back up, delete all accounts, answer the question again, restore. The steps are on the same page.
Will setting up my new iPhone from the old one bring the accounts across? Only if they sync via iCloud Keychain. Accounts kept on one device only need a Private Authenticator backup and restore. See Moving to a New iPhone.
Is my backup safe in iCloud Photos? Yes, as long as the recovery key isn't there too. The images are encrypted; the key is what matters. See Your Recovery Key.
I lost my recovery key. That backup can't be opened by anyone, including Pebble IT. If your accounts are still on a phone, make a new backup now and keep its key safely.
Apple Watch¶
Does the Watch need the iPhone nearby? Only to receive changes. Showing codes works on the Watch by itself.
Why isn't a new account on my Watch? Accounts added on another iPhone, or unarchived, go across the next time you open their code on this iPhone. See Apple Watch.
Can I copy a code on the Watch? No; watchOS doesn't allow apps to copy text. Read the code from the Watch and tap it to close.
Continue to Getting More Help.