# Pearson Authenticator — user reviews > 42 indexed App Store user reviews of Pearson Authenticator by Pearson Education, Inc., rated 2.60/5 from 11 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearson-authenticator/id6468722708/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pearson-authenticator/id6468722708.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 4 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 5 ## Newest reviews (19 of 42) ### 1/5 — It's a shame I can't award 0 stars *2025-06-13, version 1.3.0* No option to reset account, tech support offer no support. ### 1/5 — Waste of my time *2025-03-17, version 1.3.0* Like the other reviews - useless. Need to access a contract but can’t. Trying different browsers and deleting cookies, strobe lighting and still no further forward. It’s taking FAR too long to get this sorted. I just need to log in. As others have said, just a text would be good. ### 1/5 — Zero stars. Often doesn’t work and causes a strobe effect on screen. *2025-03-02, version 1.3.0* Zero stars. Often doesn’t work and causes a strobe effect on screen. Honestly this reflect the exam board perfectly. Their systems are incredibly inefficient and cumbersome to use. Such time wasting ### 1/5 — Dreadful *2025-02-10, version 1.3.0* Doesn’t work, waste of time. AQA send a text and that works great. Edexcel need to get to grips with technology. I can’t log in to anything because this app doesn’t seem to be compatible with anything at school or home. Makes me want to switch to another exam board ### 1/5 — Works on some devices *2025-02-01, version 1.3.0* Incredibly frustrating. It seems to work on some devices and not others. Having deleted it and reinstalled as instructed, it’s now asking me to scan a QR code where there is no code given. ### 1/5 — Review *2025-01-25, version 1.3.0* Couldn’t get it to work. Kept changing the number codes ### 1/5 — No stars *2025-01-21, version 1.3.0* It is entirely useless, I can’t imagine that payment was made for such a farrago of nonsense. ### 1/5 — No Idea Why This Is Necessary *2025-01-21, version 1.3.0* Just trying to look at a contract I’ve been offered. It asks me to download this app that I’ve never heard of (I’ve been working for Pearson for over 15 years). I tried to register this authenticator … it wants a QR code to register … no idea where to find this. Try to do it manually but no idea what it wants? Can’t see any previous correspondence regarding this from Pearson. I really don’t want to spend my time on this. Looks like Pearson have lost a marker. This is completely OTT security just to view a contract. ### 1/5 — Incompatible with some browsers and a terrible idea *2025-01-19, version 1.3.0* Had a lot of difficulty using this with my usual browser, possibly due to cookies, and had to use another browser for it to work - if you use your browser to save passwords, you might have major compatibility issues. As others have said, making a new app when good, existing authentication apps work is a waste of everyone’s time and a waste of Pearson’s money. If global financial organisations are happy to use other authenticators (and I know they are!), then why has Pearson wasted money on this? Another terrible tech choice from this company. ### 1/5 — What a disaster *2024-12-24, version 1.3.0* Will someone please explain how I’m supposed to scan a QR code that is displayed on my iPad by using the camera on my iPad? I got into Gateway once using a phone/tablet combo. Now I’m locked out again. Pearson, don’t send me reminders about accepting contracts when I can’t access the system. If you have no examiners this summer you will know why. ### 1/5 — Zero star *2024-12-21, version 1.3.0* The app does not work and I can’t log in to my gateway to accept a contract !!! ### 1/5 — Poor app *2024-12-02, version 1.3.0* Does not work on Mac OS SAFARI browser ### 1/5 — Just; why? *2024-10-26, version 1.3.0* Why a separate app rather than use existing authentication apps? What’s soo special that we have to have one just for Pearson? Why can it only be used on one device? Why can’t it be installed on a laptop or desktop? ### 1/5 — Just why *2024-10-15, version 1.2.0* Absolutely appalling to make teachers download an app on their personal device for work. Unacceptable. ### 1/5 — Useless app that is inconsistent *2024-10-15, version 1.2.0* Why do you think a separate authentication app would be a good idea? Please also allow authentication via Google, Microsoft or other 3rd party apps, most of us use this so infrequently that it is uninstalled by our next visit! It is also noteworthy that the developer refuses to acknowledge anything other than 5 star comments. Listen to your users and DEVELOP your product, it’s in your job title! ### 1/5 — Pointless *2024-10-02, version 1.2.0* Seems to be pointless. When you change phone, impossible to log in and no support available at all. ### 1/5 — No idea how it works *2024-09-05, version 1.1.0* All I wanted to do was to view an exam paper. I have now aged. Why make things so complicated? ### 1/5 — Why, O Why? *2024-07-16, version 1.0* This app never works, I am locked out, yet again with no access to even my email. It won’t let me contact the help desk (not logged in) do left pulling my hair out! ### 1/5 — Rubbish *2024-06-11, version 1.0* I have changed phones and now can’t use the authenticator as I can’t get back to the QR code. Rubbish. I am now wasting my gain time trying to solve toe problem so I can use exam wizard to do my task I have been set. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Impossible *2026-06-23, version 1.3.0* This app is not intuitive in the least. It is not possible to complete the fields required to register as there is no information eg how to set the secret question. Terrible app given it’s purpose ### 1/5 — Can you just allow Google Authenticator? *2026-03-22, version 1.3.0* This is a bad user experience and idk why Pearson insisted on building their own MFA instead of allowing users to use their own. Also, not being able to configure it in settings is problematic and a security risk. Terrible choices ### 1/5 — Awful- typical Pearson garbage *2026-03-14, version 1.3.0* This app worked for about a week before it stopped. Typical Pearson product it creates nothing but headaches for users. As a psychologist with a large testing practice, I’m constantly amazed at how Pearson shows customers utter contempt. We buy everything we possibly can from other test publishers. ### 1/5 — Clumsy *2026-03-09, version 1.3.0* Pearson authentication is clumsy and often unworkable. Why not use Google simple always works ### 1/5 — Absolute waste of time *2026-02-24, version 1.3.0* As a teacher, I do not have time to deal with such tech inefficiency. Words are failing me. ### 1/5 — Rubbish *2025-10-30, version 1.3.0* So much time wasted. Says you take a photo of a QR code. Where’s that? No direction or help within the app. When you try to add an account manually then it asks for a secret. What kind of secret as it just keeps rejecting everything. No guidance or help within absolutely rubbish. ### 1/5 — Another app - unnecessary *2025-10-29, version 1.3.0* Another app on my personal device for work when email my work email would be fine or use Microsoft authentication or similar which is already installed. Taking up space on my PERSONAL device. ### 1/5 — Useless *2025-10-15, version 1.3.0* If I could give it zero stars I would have done ### 1/5 — Rubbish *2025-10-02, version 1.3.0* No help given when it locks you out for no reason - almost impossible to resolve an issue without having to wait for them to call you back. Waste of time. ### 1/5 — Hate this concept *2025-09-02, version 1.3.0* Please don’t make me get an app for this ## Most praised reviews (4 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — So simple *2024-01-04, version 1.0* It is so easy and fast to set up. Saves so much time on the last login system that took forever. ### 5/5 — Exactly What Was Needed! *2023-12-12, version 1.0* In the app it is snappy and quick to respond. It was easy to set up. That’s everything. Easy to set up, easy to use. ### 5/5 — Easy to use *2023-11-30, version 1.0* Simple and easy to use. ### 2/5 — Spotty *2026-02-06, version 1.3.0* Doesn’t send a notification more than half the time. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*