Firebase Authentication Overview

Introduction to Firebase Authentication

• A secure authentication system for applications.
• Supports federated identity via providers like Facebook, Twitter, and Google.
• Firebase UI simplifies user experience and addresses identity challenges.

Steps to Set Up Firebase Authentication

1. Create a Firebase Project

   • Navigate to the Firebase console.

2. Enable Authentication

   • Click "Get Started" in the Authentication section.
   • Set up the Sign-in method:
     • Enable Email/Password.
     • Enable Google.

3. Domain Setup

   • If using your own domain, add the domain name in the Firebase console.

4. Integrate Firebase into Web App

   • Go back to the overview screen.
   • Click "Add Firebase to your web app" to get the initialization code.

Building the Sign-in Pages

• Create basic HTML pages for sign-in options.
• Paste Firebase initialization code into the HTML pages.
• Utilize GitHub for the sign-in widget code (Firebase UI is open source).

Configuration

• Set redirect URLs for after sign-in.
• Specify the authentication providers being used (Google and Email).

User Sign-in Flows

• Sign-in with Google:

  • Possible scenarios include:
    • No Google accounts signed in: Allows email sign in option.
    • Multiple Google accounts: Presents an account chooser.
    • One Google account: Automatically signs in the user.

• Email Sign-in:

  • Lists Google accounts based on email addresses currently signed in but allows for custom email sign-in.

Sign-up Process

• Easy account creation via an "Add Account" button, where users enter their username and password.
• Integration with Google Smart Lock to save credentials.
• Firebase UI also prompts users with their previously used sign-in methods for convenience.

Conclusion

• Firebase UI offers great user experience (UX) for sign-in/sign-up processes.
• Minimal coding is required to implement these functionalities.
• Encourages user engagement via comments and subscriptions.