Cross Device SSO
Single Sign-On that works across multiple devices (desktop, mobile, tablet) using the same account.
What is Cross Device SSO?
Cross-Device SSO (Single Sign-On) allows users to stay authenticated across multiple devices (desktop, mobile, tablet) using the same account. When a user logs in on one device, they're automatically logged in on their other devices.
Cross-device SSO works by:
- Centralized session management: Session state stored server-side (not just device cookies)
- Device linking: Multiple devices linked to the same user account
- Session synchronization: When user logs in on Device A, Device B/C also get authenticated
This provides a seamless user experience - users don't need to log in repeatedly when switching devices.
Analogy
Think of cross-device SSO like Netflix. When you log in on your TV, you stay logged in on your phone and tablet too. You can start watching on one device and continue on another - seamless experience across all your devices.
Types and Use Cases
- Consumer Apps: User logs in on web, stays logged in on mobile app (and vice versa)
- Media/Streaming: Start watching on TV, continue on phone (Netflix model)
- SaaS B2B: Employee logs in on laptop, stays logged in on mobile app
- CIAM: Customer logs in on web portal, mobile app recognizes the session"
How it Works
// Server-side Session Management for Cross-Device SSO
const sessions = {}; // { userId: [{ deviceId, sessionId, expiresAt }] }
// Login on Device A
app.post('/login', (req, res) => {
const user = authenticate(req.body);
const sessionId = generateSessionId();
// Store session server-side, linked to user
if (!sessions[user.id]) sessions[user.id] = [];
sessions[user.id].push({
deviceId: req.body.deviceId,
sessionId,
expiresAt: Date.now() + 3600000
});
res.cookie('sessionId', sessionId);
res.json({ success: true });
});
// Check session on Device B
app.get('/check-session', (req, res) => {
const userSessions = sessions[req.user.id] || [];
const hasActiveSession = userSessions.some(s => s.expiresAt > Date.now());
res.json({ loggedIn: hasActiveSession });
});Cross Device SSO vs Traditional SSO (Same Device)
Cross Device SSO
Traditional SSO (Same Device)
Cross-Device SSO works across multiple devices (desktop, mobile, tablet)
Traditional SSO typically works on same device (browser cookies)
Cross-Device requires server-side session storage
Traditional SSO can use browser cookies
Cross-Device provides seamless UX across devices
Traditional SSO only provides seamless UX within same device
Best Practices for Cross Device SSO
- Use centralized session storage: Store sessions server-side (database, Redis) not just in device cookies
- Implement device management: Allow users to see active sessions and revoke specific devices
- Set reasonable timeouts: Cross-device sessions should still expire (24-48 hours typical)"
How LoginRadius Powers Cross Device SSO
LoginRadius CIAM platform provides seamless cross-device SSO out-of-the-box. Our web and mobile SDKs automatically sync sessions across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices. LoginRadius manages sessions server-side with configurable timeouts (1 hour to 30 days), provides device management APIs (view/revoke active sessions), and supports real-time session sync (logout on one device = logout on all). Our platform also provides cross-device analytics to understand user behavior across devices.
FAQs
Traditional SSO lets you access multiple apps on the same device without re-logging in (cookies). Cross-Device SSO lets you stay logged in across multiple devices (desktop, mobile, tablet). Traditional SSO uses browser cookies; Cross-Device SSO uses server-side session storage.
Steps: (1) Server-side session storage - use database/Redis to store sessions linked to userId, (2) Device registration - each device gets a unique deviceId, (3) Session sync - when user logs in on Device A, check if userId has session on Device B, (4) Mobile SDK - mobile apps check server for active sessions on app launch.
LoginRadius provides built-in cross-device SSO: (1) Centralized session management - sessions stored server-side and synced across devices, (2) Web + Mobile SDKs - seamless SSO between web portal and mobile apps, (3) Device management - users can view active sessions and revoke specific devices, (4) Configurable timeouts - set session duration (1 hour to 30 days), (5) Real-time sync - when user logs out on one device, they're logged out on all devices (optional).