Android and iOS

Rotating mobile refresh tokens

OAuth, passkeys, biometrics, device registration and recovery.

Identity and sessions1 min readEditorial methods

A stolen long-lived refresh token can prolong account access. Rotation and reuse detection help manage that risk.

Evaluation approach

Define old-token status and concurrent refresh behavior when issuing replacements. Account for mobile retries.

Application example

Two simultaneous refreshes should not accidentally destroy the legitimate session. Distinguish races from unauthorized reuse.

Limits and considerations

Rotation does not prove every device copy was deleted or the account is uncompromised.

Measuring refresh races

Send concurrent refresh requests in a controlled test and check that the client retains the valid result. Records should distinguish suspicious reuse from legitimate network repetition.

Checks and decisions

  • Monitor reuse
  • Test races
  • Provide revocation

Sources

The primary references above provide the technical basis. Example workflows and evaluation suggestions are this publication’s explanations, not independent test results for a particular product.