Support

How do I use Peek a Code?

Click the Peek a Code icon in Chrome's toolbar and sign in with Google the first time. Then request your code on the website you're logging in to, and click the icon again. The latest code shows up and is copied to your clipboard.

Does it work in other browsers?

No. Peek a Code is a Chrome extension for desktop Chrome.

Do I need an account?

No. You only sign in with your Google account to give it read-only Gmail access. There is no Presdin Works account.

What permission does Peek a Code need?

Only gmail.readonly. It can read your email but cannot send, delete, label or change anything.

Why does Google say it's an “unverified app”?

Google requires apps that read Gmail to pass a security review before the warning goes away. Until that is complete, Google shows “Google hasn't verified this app” the first time you sign in. Click Advanced, then Go to Peek a Code (unsafe) to continue. The warning is about that review, not about what the extension does. You can remove access at any time at myaccount.google.com/permissions.

Sign-in says access is blocked.

While an app is unverified, Google limits how many people can sign in. If you see a message like that, sign-in won't work until the limit changes. If your Google account is managed by an employer or school, your administrator may also block third-party apps. Nothing was read or changed on your account.

It asks me to sign in again after a few days.

While the app is unverified, Google expires the authorization about every 7 days. Click Sign in with Google and approve again. If the popup closes during sign-in, just reopen it.

How do I remove access?

Go to myaccount.google.com/permissions, find Peek a Code, and click Remove access. You can also uninstall the extension from Chrome.

No code shows up. What should I do?

Peek a Code looks at inbox emails from the last 5 minutes (up to 10 of them), and keeps checking every 3 seconds for up to 2 minutes. If the email is slow to arrive, wait or press Refresh. If it landed in Spam or in a Gmail category outside your inbox, it won't be found. Also make sure the email wasn't sent from your own address.

It shows the wrong number.

Codes are found by scoring the numbers in the email, which is not perfect. Hover over the code to see its score and the runner-up. Please email us the type of email that went wrong (not the email itself) so we can improve it.

It shows a link instead of a code.

That email had no code, but it contained a verify, confirm or magic link. Click Open to use it. Only open links from emails you expected.

How do I know it's working?

Open Gmail in your browser. A small Peek a Code button appears in the toolbar next to the message counter. A green dot means it's signed in and active; a red dot means you need to sign in again. Click it to see which account it's using and to switch alerts on or off. (The Gmail button appears once you allow Peek a Code on all sites.)

Can it pop up by itself when a code arrives?

Yes. Allow Peek a Code on all sites when it asks. Then, when a page shows a box asking for a code, it checks your Gmail every 3 seconds, and the moment the email arrives a small card with the code appears in the top-right corner of that page, already copied. Alerts are on by default and you can switch them off any time. If you'd rather not allow all sites, click the Peek a Code icon whenever you want your code.

The code card isn't showing on the page I'm on.

The card needs permission to run on all websites. Click the Peek a Code icon: if setup isn't finished, you'll see a "Last step" card with an Allow on all sites button. Click it and confirm in your browser's prompt. The toolbar icon shows a ! badge, and (on Gmail) the button shows "Finish setup", until it's done. The card appears when a page has a code-entry box; if a site's box isn't recognized, click the Peek a Code icon and your code shows in the popup. If you'd rather not allow all sites, choose "Not now" and click the icon whenever you need a code.

Does it copy the code automatically?

Yes. When a code is found, it is copied to your clipboard. If copying fails, press the Copy button.

Does Peek a Code send my email anywhere?

No. It has no server. Your browser fetches the emails straight from Google, and the code is found inside the popup. Nothing is sent to Presdin Works or anyone else.

Does it store my emails or codes?

No. Email content exists in memory only while it is being checked. There is no history. Only your alert on/off choice and the ID of the last message alerted are remembered. See the Privacy Policy for details.