Hi Laura,
I've seen similar authentication loops with IBM software when Google sign-on credentials don't sync properly with desktop applications. The embedded browser issue you're hitting is frustrating because you're right: you can't control which browser the SPSS client uses internally.
A few things that have worked for others:
- Create a traditional IBMid password (separate from Google login) through the IBM account portal, then use those direct credentials in the desktop app
- Clear your system's credential cache/keychain, as sometimes old tokens block new authentication attempts
- Check if your institutional license admin can manually provision access with standard credentials
The missing password reset emails suggest a deeper account sync problem between your Google auth and IBM's system. You might need to contact IBM support directly to unlink the Google authentication and establish a standard password.
If you're setting up business operations that require reliable software licensing and access management, proper credential structures matter from day one. We handle similar authentication and compliance coordination for companies establishing UAE operations: https://www.launchcompany.ae/
Hope you get this resolved quickly. Authentication issues are never fun when you need to work.