Authy – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Authy

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2012

38%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

A two-factor authentication app that's supposed to keep you secure but has a track record of getting breached. Ironic, right?

Authy

app

Everyone, 2012

38%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

A two-factor authentication app that's supposed to keep you secure but has a track record of getting breached. Ironic, right?

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: Authy is supposed to be the bouncer keeping hackers out of your accounts, but recent years have shown the bouncer keeps falling asleep on the job.

PCMag's 2025 review is damning—'hackers have found it easy to breach in recent years.' For a security app, that's like a lock company whose locks keep getting picked. The multi-device sync feature that made Authy popular is also its Achilles heel, creating more attack vectors.

There's nothing here for kids anyway. This is purely an adult utility tool for managing two-factor authentication on your banking, email, and social accounts. If you're looking for a 2FA app, Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator have cleaner security records. Authy had its moment, but that moment has passed.

Age Fit

This is strictly an adult utility app for managing account security. Kids have no need for two-factor authentication apps—parents should handle all account security for children's devices and accounts.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Authy is a straightforward utility app with no emotional content, social features, or manipulative design. It serves a single technical purpose—two-factor authentication—without attempting to create habits or engagement beyond necessity. The interface is clean and functional.

Imaginative

This is a pure utility tool with zero creative or exploratory elements. It generates authentication codes. There's no room for imagination, building, or creative expression—it's purely functional security software.

Safe

While the app itself has no inappropriate content, recent security breaches are a major concern. PCMag's 2025 review explicitly notes that 'hackers have found it easy to breach in recent years.' Trustpilot reviews describe it as 'unreliable' with verification issues. For a security app, being vulnerable defeats its entire purpose. No ads or manipulative monetization, but the core safety promise is compromised.

Enriching

Authy teaches the concept of two-factor authentication, which is valuable digital literacy. Understanding security layers is an important modern skill. However, it's purely functional—you learn by using it, but it doesn't actively teach or explain security concepts. The enrichment is incidental rather than intentional.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Teaches the concept of two-factor authentication—an essential digital security practice
Multi-device sync means you won't lose access if you lose your phone
Works offline, unlike SMS-based verification
Free to use with no ads or manipulative monetization

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What to Watch For

Recent security breaches documented by PCMag (2025) undermine its core purpose
Trustpilot reviews describe frequent login struggles and unreliable verification
Better alternatives exist (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator) with stronger security records
This is an adult utility tool—not designed for or appropriate for kids

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think some accounts need two passwords instead of just one?"
"What would happen if someone got into your email or bank account?"
"How do you think apps like this help keep your information safe online?"

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