This wikiHow presents several ways you can follow to transfer your Google Authenticator credential information to a new phone or device. Google Authenticator doesn't have a feature to back up data directly, but you can use the Google account website to change devices. If you have some Authenticator credential information, use an alternative authenticator app like Authy to back up all codes and restore them when you change devices. As another trick, print out the codes from the Authenticator, and save them when you set up your account. This article also shows you how to download and save backup codes that can be used to access accounts without Authenticator. Each of the presented methods allows you to secure your account when changing the device in use.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Moving Google Authenticator to a New Phone
Step 1. Download Google Authenticator on the new phone
You can only activate Google Authenticator on one phone. If you want to transfer your Google Authenticator credential information to a new phone, download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store. Follow these steps to download Google Authenticator on a new device.
- Open the Google Play Store or App Store.
- Touch " Search ” (for iPhone only).
- Type "Google Authenticator" into the search field.
- Touch " Google Authenticator ” in the search results.
- Touch " GET " or " Install ” next to the app icon.
Step 2. Visit the “Google Two-Step Verification” page on the computer
This page can be accessed at https://myaccount.google.com/signinoptions/two-step-verification/enroll-welcome. Enter the URL into a web browser,
Step 3. Click Get Started
It's a blue button at the bottom of the page.
Step 4. Sign in to your Google account
Use the drop-down menu to select the email address associated with your Google account. If your email address is not displayed, select " Use another account " and enter the address you want to use. After that, type in the account password and click “ Next ”.
Step 5. Swipe the screen and click Change Phone
This blue text is below the " Authenticator app " section.
Step 6. Select iPhone or Android.
Decide what type of new phone to use. If you want to move the credential information to iPhone, select “iPhone”. If you want to transfer the information to your Android device or Samsung Galaxy, select “Android”, then touch “ Next A QR code will be displayed and you can scan it using the Google Authenticator app.
Step 7. Open Google Authenticator on the new phone
This application is marked by the letter “G” icon in the form of a combination lock. Touch the icon on the home screen or application menu to open Google Authenticator.
Step 8. Touch Begin
It's a white button at the bottom of the Google Authenticator welcome page.
Step 9. Touch Scan a barcode
This option is the first choice on Google Authenticator. The phone camera interface will be displayed.
Step 10. Scan the QR code on the computer and click Next
Position the phone so that the QR code on the computer is displayed in the center of the square frame on the phone and is clearly visible. The phone will automatically scan the QR code after the code is read. Hold the phone about 15-20 centimeters from the computer monitor.
Step 11. Type the 6-digit code on the computer and click Verify
After the phone scans the QR code, a 6-digit code will be displayed on the phone. Enter the code on the computer.
Method 2 of 5: Backing Up the Authenticator Code Using Authy
Step 1. Open Authy
The program is marked by a red icon with two curved lines that are connected to each other. Touch the icon on the device's home screen or app menu to open Authy.
Step 2. Touch
It's the three vertical dots icon in the upper-right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear after that.
Step 3. Touch Settings
This option is the first option in the drop-down menu in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Step 4. Touch the Accounts tab
This tab is the second tab at the top center of the screen.
Step 5. Touch
next to the "Backups" option.
This switch is at the top of the page. Tap the switch next to " Backups " to enable backups.
Step 6. Type in the password
This entry can be used to decrypt the credential token if at any time your Android phone is lost. Type the password on the first line.
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WARNING:
Make sure you record and store your passwords in a safe place. If you lose your password and device, you will not be able to access the encrypted account.
Step 7. Re-enter the password
Type the same password on the second line, as the entry typed on the first line to confirm the password.
Step 8. Touch Enable Backups
This blue button is below the two lines of text. Backup will be enabled on the account.
Method 3 of 5: Installing Authy on a New Device
Step 1. Download Authy from Google Play Store
or App Store
The Google Play Store is marked by a colorful “play” triangle icon on Android devices. Meanwhile, the App Store is marked by a blue icon with a white “A” on iPhone and iPad. Follow these steps to download Authy:
- Touch the App Store or Google Play Store icon on the home screen or application menu.
- Touch the tab " Search ” (for iPhone and iPad only).
- Type Authy into the search bar.
- Touch " Authy ” in the search results.
- Touch " GET " or " Install ” next to the Authy app.
Step 2. Open Authy
This app is marked by a red icon with two arcs bound together. You can open Authy by touching its icon on the home screen or application menu, or pressing the “ OPEN ” in the App Store or Google Play Store window.
Step 3. Enter the phone number
Type the phone number in the field provided. Use the menu labeled " Code " on the left side to select a country or region.
Step 4. Specify the account verification method
If you can still use your old device, touch “ Use existing device " Otherwise, touch " phone call ” to verify the account by phone call, or “ SMS ” to verify via text message.
Step 5. Enter the registration code, or touch Allow on Authy
If you verified your account via a phone call or text message, enter the registration code received. If you are using another device, open Authy on that device and touch “ Allow ”.
Step 6. Enter the backup password and tap Unlock Accounts
The account will be opened so you can use the Authenticator tokens stored on the new device.
Method 4 of 5: Storing Backup Key or QR Code
Step 1. Log in to the service via a web browser
Google Authenticator can be used to enable two-factor authentication on a variety of services, such as Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms. You will need to sign in to each service using a web browser to set up two-factor authentication.
Step 2. Look for two-factor authentication settings
The menu options for each service are different. Two-factor authentication settings are usually in the " Settings " or " Account " menu. After that, you may need to access the privacy and security settings menu (“Privacy and Security”), then find two-factor authentication settings.
Step 3. Select the option to use two-factor authentication through the app
Most services offer the option to use short message (SMS) or an app to enable two-factor authentication. Select the app option to set up authentication using Google Authenticator. When you select an app option, a QR code and/or backup key will be displayed.
Step 4. Open Google Authenticator
This application is marked by a gray icon with the shape of the letter “G” which resembles a combination lock. Touch the icon on your smartphone or tablet to open Google Authenticator.
Step 5. Touch
It's a red icon with a plus sign (“+”) in the lower-right corner. Touch this button to add a new service to Google Authenticator.
You will need to go through the process of setting up each service that uses Google Authenticator to get a copy of the QR code or backup key
Step 6. Scan the QR code on the screen
The service will be added to the Google Authenticator app.
Step 7. Print the QR code and/or copy the backup key
Press the Print Screen button to print the QR code on the screen. You can also take note of the backup key that is displayed on the screen. Make sure you keep the template or spare key in a safe place so that it is easy to find.
If the backup key is not displayed, you may need to click the “ Can't scan it ” below the QR code to display it. Scan the code or take note of the backup key when you need to set up Google Authenticator on a new device.
Step 8. Enter the verification code from Google Authenticator and click Verify
The process of setting up the Google Authenticator app for the service in question has been completed. You need to follow the same steps for each service you want to connect to Google Authenticator.
Method 5 of 5: Downloading the Backup Code
Step 1. Open the mobile browser on the Android device
You can use a browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Opera.
Step 2. Visit the Google - My Account page
Type in Type myaccount.google.com into the address bar and press the “ Go ”.
You will be asked to log in to your account using your email address and password first if you haven't already
Step 3. Touch the Sign-in & security heading
The security settings will open on a new page.
Step 4. Swipe the screen and touch 2-Step Verification
You will be asked to verify your password.
If you frequently use Google Authenticator to sign in to your account, two-step verification is enabled on your account
Step 5. Verify the account password
Enter the password and touch “ Next ” to verify, and review your existing two-way verification settings.
Step 6. Scroll down and touch SET UP under the “Backup codes” section
This option provides a list of manual backup codes. You can use these codes to sign in to your Google account if you can't access Authenticator on a verified phone.
Step 7. Write down or print the backup code
If you can't access the Authenticator app or can't verify your login, you can use these codes to open an account.
