How to back up Google Authenticator before switching phones

💡 Need to know

• Wait to erase. Back up or transfer Authenticator accounts before erasing the old phone.
• Use Cloud Sync. Automatically sync your Authenticator codes to your account.
• Try manual transfer. Move accounts between devices with the export feature.
• Verify your codes. Make sure the codes work on the new phone before resetting the old one.

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When you change devices, it can be tempting to simply set up the new one and start exploring its many exciting features. But if you don’t transfer your accounts and logins first, you’ll soon run into an issue of not having any of your data available at hand. That’s why backing up and transferring your two-factor authentication (2FA) codes from Google Authenticator™ should be at the top of your to-do list.

Every day, Asurion Experts help tech users like you navigate their devices, from how to set up a new phone to how to use two-factor authentication. We're here to walk you through the process of transferring your codes with two convenient methods.

How to back up Google Authenticator

There are two main methods for backing up Google Authenticator when you switch devices: cloud sync and manual transfer.

You can use cloud sync when you connect your old device’s Google Authenticator to your Google account. Then sign in to that same Google account on your new device:

1. Open the Google Authenticator app.
2. If you see a cloud icon with a green checkmark by your profile, your app is already linked to your Google account.
3. If not, tap your profile icon.
4. Sign in to your Google account, then go back and look for the green cloud icon.

You want to double-check that your Authenticator accounts are syncing before you get rid of your old device and switch to a new one.

How to transfer Google Authenticator to a new phone

The other option is manually transferring your data to your new phone with the transfer feature in the Authenticator app. Follow these steps.

1. Download Google Authenticator on your new phone, and choose Get started.
2. Sign in to your Google account.
3. On your old phone, go to Menu > Transfer accounts > Export accounts.
4. Select your account and choose Next.
5. On your new phone, choose Scan QR code. Scan the QR code on your old phone using your new phone’s camera.

You should see confirmation that your Authenticator codes are now on your new device. If you choose the manual transfer method, make sure you keep both phones available until the process is complete.

Verify your Google Authenticator codes transferred

Go back to the home screen of the Google Authenticator app to verify that the transferred accounts appear on your new phone. You should see your codes from your old device.

Test that those authentication codes work before deleting anything or resetting your old device.

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What to do before resetting or trading in your old phone

There are some things you can only do with your old device in your hand, so make sure you tick these boxes before resetting it or trading it in for a new device:

• Back up your photos, videos, and contacts to cloud storage.
• Verify that your Authenticator data and data from other apps have transferred to the new device.
• Sign out of your accounts and disable security locks.
• Take out the physical SIM card, if applicable.

Do not erase your old phone until you have verified access to your accounts on the new device.

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What to do if Google Authenticator won't transfer or sync

If you’re having trouble transferring the codes, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Update the Authenticator app.
• Check your internet connection on both devices.
• Look for the green cloud to verify that Authenticator is cloud syncing with your Google account.
• Confirm your old and new devices are both properly set up.
• Retry the transfer before resetting your old phone.

What if you lose Google Authenticator without a backup?

If you lose Google Authenticator and don’t have a backup, the recovery process generally depends on the individual account or service. You may be able to use recovery codes or other configured verification methods, but it won’t always be possible to get your Authenticator codes back. Try signing into your Google account to double-check whether your codes were synced to the cloud.

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FAQ

Does Google Authenticator automatically back up your codes?

Google Authenticator only automatically backs up your codes if cloud sync is available and you enable it. If you don’t have cloud sync active, you have to transfer Authenticator codes manually to new devices, and they won’t get backed up automatically.

How do you find old Google Authenticator codes?

If you have cloud sync turned on, simply download the Google Authenticator app on your new device and sign in with the Google account you used for Authenticator on your previous device.

Why did all my Google Authenticator codes disappear?

You may not be able to see your Google Authenticator codes because you're signed into the wrong Google account. If you did not have cloud sync turned on when changing devices, you may still need to complete a manual transfer.