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Streamline Login Flows via the WebOTP API in JavaScript

Last updated: December 14, 2024

The WebOTP API, sometimes referred to as the Web One-Time-Password API, is a straightforward tool that can enhance user experience by streamlining the login process. This API allows developers to simplify the process whereby user’s input a one-time password sent to their mobile devices during two-factor authentication.

What is the WebOTP API?

The primary goal of the WebOTP API is to eliminate manual OTP entry errors and reduce friction in authentication flows. The API retrieves OTP directly from SMS and auto-fills it into app or web pages without the user’s manual intervention.

How Does It Work?

When an SMS containing a code arrives, the WebOTP API captures and extracts the OTP from the message if the SMS format matches specific patterns. The SMS must direct the message to a URL with a "/#" fragment, where the app can parse the OTP.

Implementing WebOTP in JavaScript

Implementing the WebOTP API requires only a few lines of JavaScript code.

Step 1: Sending the SMS

The SMS gateway must send OTP messages in a standardized format, ensuring that it includes the URL and OTP code. Here is what a typical OTP message format might look like:

123456 is your verification code. Do not share this code. Process your verification at https://example.com/#123456

Step 2: Using WebOTP in JavaScript

Here is an example of how a typical implementation might look in modern browsers using JavaScript:

if ('OTPCredential' in window) {
  const input = document.querySelector('input[autocomplete="one-time-code"]');
  const ac = new AbortController();
  setTimeout(() => ac.abort(), 10 * 1000);
  navigator.credentials.get({
    otp: { transport: ['sms'] },
    signal: ac.signal
  }).then(otp => {
    input.value = otp.code;
  }).catch(err => {
    console.log('Error obtaining OTP:', err);
  });
}

In this code snippet, we check if the browser supports the 'OTPCredential' interface and use the navigator.credentials.get() method to obtain the OTP. If the request is successful, the SMS OTP is automatically filled into the input box.

Security Considerations

While WebOTP improves user experience, developers must still address associated security challenges:

  • Confirmation: To ensure the received OTP is meant for your service, validate the origin of OTP requests.
  • Expiration Time: Only keep session OTPs valid for a short duration.

Browser Support

As of October 2023, WebOTP API support is growing. Google Chrome has robust integration, while other browsers like Microsoft Edge are gradually following suit.

Enhancing User Experience

Using the WebOTP API can drastically reduce user login time and errors associated with manual OTP entry, making the authentication process much smoother. That’s a significant advantage for mobile users, often multi-tasking or accessing apps on-the-go.

Conclusion

The WebOTP API offers a significant improvement over traditional login flows by fetching OTP codes directly from SMS, thereby saving time and minimizing user errors. By implementing this API in your web applications, you can enhance both the security and the convenience of your authentication processes.

Next Article: Enhance Security and UX with JavaScript WebOTP

Previous Article: Auto-Fill Verification Codes Using JavaScript WebOTP

Series: Web APIs – JavaScript Tutorials

JavaScript

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