Google is testing a bold new idea for killing passwords

Google wants to see passwords die just as much as the rest of us do, which is why it’s spent years coming up with wild experiments for new protocols that can replace passwords for good. One Redditor this week posted some details about getting early access to a new Google program that lets you log into your Google account just by authorizing access on your smartphone.

MUST WATCH: Incredible zero gravity experiments with water caught on camera

Here are the steps the user said they needed to take to get password-free access to their Google account:

Here’s my issue with this: I’m not sure it’s really any less annoying than remembering and entering a password. It adds a lot of steps and requires you to have your mobile device on you. It sounds like it’s basically using the same kinds of techniques used for two-factor authentication but is just taking the password out of the equation.

That said, it seems the goal here isn’t convenience per se but security. The passwords many of us use are generally terrible and Google tells The Verge that “beyond alleviating concerns over commonly used passwords… the tool is another defense against hackers that rely on passwords to conduct phishing operations.”

Still, in order to be widely adopted, this technology needs to be convenient. Whether Google can make this system work in a way that isn’t time-consuming remains to be seen.

Related stories

Engineers reveal what it takes to be hired by Google

Google talking to Ford about self-driving cars

Take a virtual reality tour of the White House right now with Google

More from BGR: ‘Star Wars’ writers explain everything about Kylo Ren’s turn to the Dark Side

This article was originally published on BGR.com