You see a re-authentication prompt because the secure connection between Shift Browser and your login provider has expired or been reset. This happens to keep your account safe and ensures your data stays synced across devices. Simply signing back in restores your access and turns your features back on.
Why am I being asked to re‑authenticate?
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?
When Shift detects that your account needs re‑authentication, you’ll see a dialog in the app.
What each option does
Re‑authenticate
Use this when: you want to fix the issue right away.
What it does:
- Opens your sign‑in window (for example, Google sign‑in)
- Once you successfully sign in:
- Your Shift account is re‑authenticated
- Sync and other features start working normally again.
This is the recommended choice whenever you see this prompt.
Snooze
Use this when: you are too busy to sign in right now
What it does:
- Dismisses the dialog
- The prompt will not show again for 24 hours
- After that time, Shift will show it again if re‑authentication is still required
During this time, some features (like Sync) may not work until you fully re‑authenticate.
Close (X)
Use this when: you just want to close the dialog for now.
What it does:
- Works the same as Snooze
Ignore
Use this when: you do not want to be reminded during your current work session.
What it does:
- Dismisses the dialog for the current Shift session
- The prompt will not show again until you restart Shift
Warning: Your account will not be fully up to date, and some features, including ones available to you through your Advanced subscription, may not work until you re‑authenticate.
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 did not make 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.
Sign in to your account provider in the window that opens.
Return to Shift Browser to see your status update.
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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