Skip to main content

Yahoo removes pesky passwords from its new and improved Mail app

yahoo mail app no passwords yahoomail
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Passwords are a long-in-the-tooth method of ensuring your digital security. They’re either easy to guess or difficult to remember, and if you’re smart and have different ones for different services, you have to have them saved somewhere, even if it’s within a manager. That’s something that a lot of companies are trying to do away with, hence Microsoft’s Hello system in Windows 10. And now Yahoo is getting in on the action, too, in hopes that its new security features will lure you back to its mail service.

How does Yahoo plan to kill passwords? Pseudo-two factor authentication. When you head to Yahoo Mail, you’ll be greeted with a username prompt. Pop it in, and a text message is sent to your smartphone, asking if you approve of the login attempt. If you do, hit yes, and you’re in — It’s that simple. No need for a password at all.

Not only does removing passwords potentially improve the security of Yahoo’s own site — as even in today’s climate, plenty of people use easy to guess passwords — but it will also improve security for its users across all sites. Without this vector to attack and gain people’s (potentially reusable) passwords, Yahoo users are better protected.

Introducing the new Yahoo Mail app

This isn’t the first attempt Yahoo has made to revamp its password system and blaze a new trail for digital security online, as CNet points out. It previously used what it called “on-demand,” passwords to text people temporary passwords. Again, that system used a secondary device as a way to double check a user’s identity.

That’s something that a lot of companies have looked into in recent years, with some firms like Blizzard opting to use elements from both of Yahoo’s systems. Logging into user accounts for its games often requires the use of a physical or app-based number generator. The temporary nature of those codes makes it much harder to get into accounts by traditional means.

In addition to the new no-password security tools, the new Yahoo Mail app also includes several improved features to convince new users to abandon Gmail or whatever other email client they currently use. Yahoo says its Mail app is the only big-name email app that connects to Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, so you see your contacts’ photos more easily. It also boasts avatars for your contacts that are made from pretty Flickr images, contact cards with all the contacts’ info — even tweets, swipe to delete messages, and quick access to Yahoo News right in the app.

If you’re interested in checking it out, the Yahoo Mail app is available on the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store now.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
This Apple Watch is $179 for Cyber Monday, and selling fast
The World Time watch face showing on the Apple Watch SE 2.

Shoppers who have been holding out on buying a smartwatch should take advantage of this year's Cyber Monday deals, which currently includes a $70 discount on the current Apple Watch SE. This watch is usually $249, but it's down to only $179 with Walmart's Cyber Monday discounts applied. This is one of the best Cyber Monday smartwatch deals that we've found, so be sure to check it out yourself by tapping the button below. Keep on reading for more info about why this deal is proving so popular and why we recommend you shop it.

Why you should buy the Apple Watch SE
The latest Apple Watch SE is "simple, cheap, and brilliant" according to our review. It has all the essentials you need from a smartwatch. At all times, it'll track your steps taken, calories burned, flights of stairs taken, and more. Alongside that is Apple's Activity Rings system which motivates you into trying to achieve your goals every day. There are challenges and badges to unlock too while the watch will also track your walking speed and running speed, so you can always compete with yourself.

Read more
Cyber Monday deal knocks $80 off the Google Pixel Watch
The Google Pixel Watch's Pilot Bold watch face.

If you've considered buying the Google Pixel Watch but it's been too expensive, you'll be happy to see this Cyber Monday deal from Best Buy. Usually going for $200, the retailer has knocked a considerable $80 off the price tag, so it's a much more affordable option at $120 if you want a Google smartwatch. While it certainly is very stylish, if you're still not as convinced by it by the end of this, be sure to check out some other Cyber Monday smartwatch deals for some solid alternatives.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Watch
While the Google Pixel Watch is older tech now, it's still very stylish and tempting. It has a great circular case with a crown on the side as expected. It's minimalist but super comfy to wear being very lightweight at just 64 grams. It has a Gorilla Glass case back to maintain good contact with your skin. The screen is a 1.2-inch AMOLED screen which looks great and suitably sharp.

Read more
OnePlus 12: news, rumored price, release date, and more
OnePlus 12 in green and white.

A new year approaches, which means a new slate of smartphones will start to hit in a few months. One of the first we’ll see in 2024 should be from OnePlus with its flagship OnePlus 12.

The OnePlus 11 is an excellent phone, as we indicated in our review. It’s one of the best phones you can get in 2023 and is right up there with great competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Google Pixel 8 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Read more