Google Sign-In Changes for the macOS and Windows Versions of Sphero Edu (Legacy Issue)

Micah Daby Updated by Micah Daby

WARNING:
The information below is ONLY relevant for the 5.3.3 macOS and Windows versions of Sphero Edu. As of October 28, 2021, Google Sign-In functionality has been restored to the macOS and Windows Sphero Edu apps in new app releases. To use Google Sign-In, please update to version 6.3.0 or newer for both Windows and macOS. To learn more about these releases, please visit the Windows page or the macOS page for these releases. These new apps have updated minimum operating system requirements, so please check those documents to ensure your devices are compatible.


Starting in July 2021, Google Sign-In will no longer work in embedded frameworks. Both the Windows and macOS versions of the Sphero Edu app use an embedded framework, which means that users will not be able to continue using Google Sign-In in the 5.3.3 Mac and Windows Sphero Edu apps . Sphero's long term solution for this issue is to use native apps with approved Google Sign-In integration for both macOS and Windows. These new apps (versions 6.3.0+) are slated for release in the summer of 2021.

Until the new 6.3.0+ macOS and Windows releases are available, there are a couple options to access your Sphero account if you are a Google Sign-In user:

  • You can still use Google Sign-In to access your account in our iOS, Android, Fire OS, and Chrome OS apps. If you have any devices that meet our minimum requirements for these Sphero Edu apps, then you can continue to use Google Sign-In.
  • If you are only able to use the Mac or Windows version of Sphero Edu, then you will have to follow the workaround steps below to access your account.

Google Sign-In Workaround For Teachers, General Learners, and Parents:

In this example, we will use a test account called sphero.account@gmail.com. This is a test Google email address for illustrative purposes.

  1. From the sign in screens, click the "Forgot password" button

Forgot Password Image
  1. Enter the precise email address that you use when signing in with Google Sign-In. It must be exact! Since we normally use our Google account (sphero.account@gmail.com) to sign in, we will enter that email address here:

Enter Email Address
  1. Go to your email for this specific account, and reset your password per the instructions provided in the email.
    The email will look like this:
Email Content

The email will lead you to this password reset page, where you will need to create a password:

Password Reset Screen
  1. You can now access your account by entering your email and password, rather than using Google Sign-In:
Sign In Screen
NOTE:
Once the Mac and Windows 6.3.0+ releases are available, you will then be able to use your username/email and password, or Google Sign-In. Both options will work to access your account.

Google Sign-In Workaround For Google Synchronized Classes:

If you sync Google classes for rostering purposes in Sphero Edu, then you and your students will be impacted by this change. You can unblock your students by setting manual passwords for your students.

  1. Sign into your teacher account and access your classes:

Select Your Classes
  1. Select your Google synced class, and view the "Learner" tab. In this example, our class has one student, but your class will most likely have more. Select a student.

Select Student
  1. You will see the profile page for your student. Select the "Edit" button.

Select Edit Button
  1. Add a password and confirm the password, then select "Save".
Edit Student Password
  1. Repeat steps 2-4 for all required students. Once this is done, these students can access their account by entering their email address and password instead of using Google Sign-In.
NOTE:
Once the Mac and Windows 6.3.0+ releases are available, your students will then be able to use their username/email and password, or Google Sign-In. Both options will work to access their accounts.

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