You see a re-authentication prompt because the secure connection between Shift Browser and your login provider has expired or been reset. This safe routine keeps your account secure and ensures your data stays synced across your devices. Simply signing back in restores your access right away.
Why am I being asked to re‑authenticate in Shift Browser
Shift keeps you signed in using a secure “token” from your sign‑in provider (for example, Google, Microsoft, or Apple). Sometimes that token can be revoked or expire. When this happens, Shift cannot be sure you are still signed in.
This can occur when:
- Your login provider (Google, MS, Apple, etc.) signed you out because of:
- An activity that looked unusual.
- A password change you made.
- A security check.
- You signed out somewhere else.
- Our system for checking identity (Cognito) revokes your refresh token
- There are changes to your account that require a new sign‑in
Instead of just failing without a message, Shift shows a re‑authentication prompt so you can quickly fix the issue and get back to work.
You may also see related indicators like “Sync is inactive” until you finish re‑authenticating.
What does the re‑authentication prompt look like in Shift Browser
When Shift detects that your account needs re‑authentication, you’ll see a dialog in the app.
What the re‑authentication prompt looks like in Shift Browser
When Shift detects that your account needs attention, you'll see a quick dialog box directly in the app. You can choose how to handle the prompt depending on your current workflow.
Re‑authenticate
We recommend this choice whenever you see the alert. It opens your standard sign‑in window so you can fix the issue right away. Once you sign in successfully, your account connects again, and features like Sync start working normally.
Snooze
Use this if you're too busy to sign back in right now. This option dismisses the dialog box for 24 hours. After that time, Shift will show it again if your account still needs a refresh. Keep in mind that some background features won't update until you fully sign back in.
Close (X)
This option works exactly like Snooze. It closes the alert dialog for now and reminds you again later so you can stay focused on your deep work.
Ignore
Choose this if you don't want to see reminders during your current work session. It dismisses the dialog box until the next time you restart Shift.
Warning: If you ignore the alert, your account will not be fully up to date . Some features, including tools available to you through your Advanced subscription, may stop working until you sign back in.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you don’t re‑authenticate:
- You will see messages like “Sync is inactive”
- Your data may stop syncing across devices or profiles
- The re‑authentication prompt may appear again:
- After the snooze period, or
- The next time you restart/open Shift
Your account is still safe, but you may lose the helpful features of being fully signed in. To get everything working perfectly, you need to re‑authenticate.
Is this a security problem?
Seeing the re‑authentication prompt does not automatically mean something is wrong or that someone broke into your account.
Most of the time, it’s a normal security safeguard, for example:
- You changed your password
- You signed out on another device or in your browser
- Your token expired as part of a normal security routine
However, if you see this prompt and have not made any recent changes, like:
- Change your password
- Signing out anywhere else
- Make other recent account changes
You should:
- Check your sign‑in provider’s security/activity page (for example, Google Account activity).
- Change your password if you see anything that looks strange or unusual.
How to fix the issue
Restoring your account only takes a moment. Follow these steps to get back to full speed.
Click Re-authenticate on the dialog box alert.
Sign in to your account provider in the new window that opens.
Return to your active Space to see your status update automatically.
If the prompt keeps appearing after you've signed in, our team is here to help. Please reach out to us with your Shift version number and a description of the issue.
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