When you want to log into Tumblr, you insert your Tumblr username and proceed to the next screen, waiting to insert your password. Still, you are greeted with two options – Send me a magic link and Use a password to login. Weird! And to make things even weirder, it does it on mobile too.
SummaryWhat is Magic Link?Instances for Magic LinksWhen to use Magic LinksCan I turn off Magic Links?Magic Links Demystified
So what is a magic link? Is this another way to login to your Tumblr dashboard? Is it even safe to use? You are probably shaken by such questions. But do not worry. You will find all the answers here. Then read on.
Tumblr developers love to go overboard when it comes to naming new features. And unsurprisingly, a magic link is just a link sent to the email address associated with your Tumblr account. Like the ones you receive when you request a change of password by e-mail.
However, these links work a little differently. Click on one and it automatically logs you into your Tumblr dashboard, no questions asked. Which is actually pretty cool.
But why bother with all that extra trouble? It looks like a waste of time. Especially when you can just provide a password instead. As useless as magic links may seem, they serve a purpose.
Obviously, logging in with a password is much faster, and even more so if you've saved your Tumblr password with your web browser or password manager, autofilling can get you in quickly to your dashboard. But what if not?
If you're committed to good password etiquette, it's not fun to manually insert a long alphanumeric Tumblr password every time you want to log in, is it? And on the mobile app, the possibility of entering an incorrect password is higher.
Since you're usually signed into the default messaging app on your PC or mobile, using a magic link becomes much more convenient.
And what about the cases where you really forgot your password? Instead of spending time creating a new one, a magic link is all you need to log in until you really want to reset your password.
But that's only half the story - magic bonds also fulfill a vital aspect of security. For example, imagine a scenario of a potential keylogger running in the background on your PC – perhaps after a malware infection – and you're unsure of the capability of your anti-virus scanner. malicious program to effectively thwart it. A magic link should help you in such a situation.
In short, go for a magic link whenever you think your Tumblr password might be compromised by logging in from a device you don't have, using a public Wi-Fi hotspot, etc.
Using magic links as the only way to connect is not entirely feasible. However, you don't want an inbox full of login emails from Tumblr. Therefore, remember to use them only when needed. Or at least until Tumblr gets rid of passwords altogether. Considering this is a major issue and a security issue, login without password may occur.
Let's see a magic link in action and look for the pitfalls associated with the whole process. No magic wand required, unfortunately.
Start by inserting your username or email address into the Tumblr login screen, then click or tap Next.
On the next screen, click on the "Send me a magic link" button. Wait a few seconds for an email from Tumblr to arrive in your inbox.
Note: Tumblr's mobile app offers an option to access your inbox directly after requesting a magic link.
Just open the email, then click Let's Go. And that's it. Your default browser or Tumblr app should load your dashboard immediately.
If you don't receive the email, you can check your email app's Junk folder and mark it as "not spam" to prevent magic links from being reported in the future.
Magic Links also expire after a few minutes, so be sure to use them immediately. Of course, you can generate a new magic link again quite easily.
Unfortunately, you cannot. Tumblr does not provide the means to disable magic links from the login screen and enter your password directly. Yes, it sucks if you'd rather use passwords than expose yourself to a possible phishing attack.
In fact, when the feature first launched, Tumblr was sending a force login link by default. After an outcry, you now have the option to choose between the two. So things are actually much better than before.
Hopefully you now know what magic links are and what they are for. Really, Tumblr could have just replaced "magic" with "connection" and saved you the confusion. But that would go against the extravagant spirit of this great blogging platform, wouldn't it?
So, are you going to use magic links with your Tumblr account?
