title: Is it possible for an iOS app to communicate with Google Authenticator?
body: <p>I have an API that needs to register once with a HOTP/TOTP code before it is given a longer term session token.</p>
  
  <p>Is there any way (in theory) that an iOS app can "call" a modified version of Google Authenticator that would allow for the one time exchange of the HOTP / TOTP code?</p>
  
  <p>I'm assuming that the modified version of Google Authenticator would issue a prompt like </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>"Are you sure you want to send a code for XXX to YYY?"</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Is there any way this scenario could be possible?  Lacking this, I'll have to direct the user to multitask between apps, a feature that my consumers don't know how do to on iOS.  (double clicking the button at the bottom of the phone or iPad eludes them)</p>
  
  <p>Some thoughts that make me think this is possible:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><p>I have seen weblinks in Safari open up an app on the device, or websites that open the app instead of the the .mobile version when installed (Foursquare, Facebook, etc)</p></li>
  <li><p>An app can open a website in Safari or Chrome</p></li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Taking these thoughts together, I could add a URL parameter containing the HOTP code, and "bounce it back" over HTTPS, but I'd like a more local solution </p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>Note to closer(s): I'm asking this on Security.SE because I would think that people here might know the most about iOS sandboxing since the concepts and skills needed here might be conceptually similar to <a href="https://security.stackexchange.com/search?q=dep">ASLR and DEP which have 74+ questions on the site</a>.  </p>