Developers of mobile apps must ensure that their app is easy to use and protect internal information. For mobile app users, complicated or repeated authentications may be frustrating.
This article describes various methods of secure and simple mobile authentication. It ensures frictionless UI/UX of mobile authentication screens as well as data security.
What is Mobile Authentication?
Mobile authentication allows users to verify their identity using mobile devices and apps. It can be used to secure access to any app, resource, and service by using one or more authentication methods.
Let's take a look at the different mobile authentication options developers have access to depending on the business use case.
Mobile Authentication Methods
Password-Based Authentication
Common types of password-based authentication include Email-Password, Username-Password, and Password-Based. These methods are common, but developers should be aware of the importance of setting strong password policies for their authentication mechanism.
- Mandatory use of symbols and numbers
- Restriction of common passwords
- Blocking the user of profile information in passwords
These measures provide better password quality and protect user accounts against brute force or dictionary password attacks.
Limitation: Passwords can be difficult to remember and type them on a small screen makes it less user-friendly. Developers must ensure that authentication does not compromise security but provides a user-friendly experience.
Patterns and Digit-Based Authentication
The user will need to set a pattern (or a digit-based pin) which is typically 4 or 6 numbers. This authentication factor can be used by developers to authenticate their mobile applications. It is quicker and easier than entering passwords on the mobile screen.
Limitation: There are no restrictions on PINs with 4 or 6 digits and patterns. Users tend to use simple patterns, PINs such as L or S, and 1234, 97654, and date of birth, for their passwords.
Login Using OTP
To authenticate themselves, users use the OTP sent via email or SMS. To access their accounts, users don't need to remember
passwords or patterns. Developers don't need to implement password-based security measures.
Biometric Authentication
For mobile authentication, biometric authentication relies on unique biological traits. One of the most common forms of biometric authentication is fingerprint scanning, facial unlocks, and retina scans.
Developers have the option to implement pre-coded modules and libraries that enable mobile authentication via components such as the finger scanner, microphone (for voice-based recognition), and camera (for facial recognition).
Login to Social Media
It serves as a single sign-on authentication mechanism. This can be implemented in mobile apps by developers to access the app using login tokens obtained from other social networks.
Developers don't have to worry about password storage and password recovery. This allows the user to sign in to the mobile application without having to create a separate account. It also increases the user experience (UX).
Mobile Authentication User Interface (UI), and User Experience (UX).
Your registration and login screens are key to mobile apps. If they are too complicated, users might not use the app. Developers should pay close attention to the screens in terms of user experience and usage.
These are Some Quick Tips to Help You Create Mobile Authentication Screens.
Easy Registration Process: Long registration forms are a no-no. Only include the fields that are essential to creating an account via a mobile app.
Social or External Login: Users can log in using social or external accounts. Users don't need to remember any additional passwords or credentials to access your app.
Allow for Resetting: Add the forget password option to the login screen to make it easy to find and reach, if the app supports password-based login. The process of setting a new password should be easy and quick.
Keep Users logged In: It is helpful to log out users when the app closes. This depends on what type of app you offer. Developers should add MFA to improve security in apps that store sensitive information.
Meaningful error messages: The way errors are handled has a direct impact on the user experience. Developers should make error messages clear and concise.
Conclusion
These points will ensure that your app users have a secure and enjoyable experience. If you are concerned that following these guidelines will take too much time, CIAM solutions can be found on the market.