Beware, a Slack bug is kicking users out of the Android app

No, it’s not just you getting booted from the Slack app every five minutes.

What you need to know

• Slack reported a problem with sign-on in the Android app that was logging users out and making it difficult to log back in.
• This issue is limited to the Android app, so Slack on iOS and desktop platforms is still functioning.
• Android users using Single Sign-On (logging in with Google) are primarily impacted by the issue.
• The issue was reported shortly before 4 PM Eastern Time, and while Slack is investigating, they haven’t announced a projected time for the fix.

In the always-connected, work from home age, we’re blessed with the ability to stay connected to work even when we’re not chained to a desk, but right now, that connection is interrupted on Android. The Slack app for Android is kicking out users with an “Invalid authorization” if they use Single Sign-On to log into the app — meaning you select “Sign in with Google” when you first open the app. Slack is aware of the issue and investigating a solution.

Slack is one of the best messaging apps today. While it’s more often used by businesses and corporations as a means of team communication and collaboration, there are many who use Slack just for gossiping with friends about the latest episodes or family group chat that’s outside of the Facebook and Google monoliths. Those personal Slack channels are less likely to use Single Sign-On, though, so hopefully, the only messages you’re missing this afternoon are questions from your boss.

In the meantime, Slack’s website is working just fine, so stay close to a computer with desktop notifications enabled if you’re expecting any vital messages or meetings this afternoon or evening. Hopefully, it will be resolved soon, or at least by tomorrow morning.