How to Transfer Google 2FA to a New Phone

By
Robinson Ejeta
-

How to Transfer Google 2FA to a New Phone. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the best and easiest ways to keep your online accounts secure. It works by issuing an authentication code on your phone when somebody tries to access the account; if that person doesn’t have the code, they (or you) don’t get in.

How to Transfer Google 2FA to a New Phone

By using a 2FA app, such as Google Authenticator or Authy, you can prevent somebody from accessing your data by getting your password. (You can have a code texted to you, but that is considered far less secure due to the rise of so-called SIM hacking.)

How to Transfer Google 2FA to a New Phone

There is, of course, a catch. Because 2FA uses a key specific to your phone, if you lose or break your phone, you can’t simply reinstall the app on your new phone and go on from there. You need to transfer the key code for that phone as well as the app itself.

Different authentication apps handle this in different ways. In this article, I’m going to look at Google Authenticator, including the easiest way to transfer the app to a new phone if you do have access to the old one, and how you can prepare for a possible problem (like a broken phone).

Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator lets you establish 2FA by using your phone to scan a QR code generated by the app on a separate device or by entering a key code. It’s a relatively easy process unless you find you have to move the app to a new phone.

Because 2FA uses security keys that are specific to each piece of hardware, you can’t simply reinstall Google Authenticator on your new phone and use it to log in. Instead, you have to transfer the keys to your new app.

2FA and Other Apps

The easiest method, especially if you use 2FA with several apps, is to use the Authenticator app’s dedicated transfer feature to move your keys from one phone to the other.

However, there are two assumptions here: first, that you have access to both the old and new phone and second, that you have Android devices. If either of these assumptions doesn’t work for your situation, there are other methods you can use you will see them as you read down.

Method 1, Use of Backup Codes

When you first set up Google Authenticator, you may be given a set of backup codes and asked to print them out or otherwise save them. If you do want to save them; print them out and put them somewhere safe or create a PDF and save it where nobody else can access it.

If your phone goes south, these codes will be a good way to reestablish authentication on your new phone assuming, of course, you haven’t misplaced the codes. This is also the way to reestablish your keys on a new iPhone.

If you missed that step during the installation, you can get those backup codes anyway. For that, you have to go into your Google account and then follow the steps below:

  • Click on “Security” in the left-hand column.
  • Scroll down and select “2-Step Verification.” You’ll probably have to enter your password.
  • Scroll down to “Backup Codes” and click on “Show Codes.”
  • You’ll get a list of 10 codes. Each code can be used once; if you use them all, you can get more by clicking on “Show Codes” and then on “Get New Codes.”

Method 2; Take a Screenshot of the Barcode

One way to create a backup in case you lose your phone is to take and save a screenshot of the barcode that is created for each 2FA-secured app.

If you’ve mislaid your backup codes, but you’ve saved a screenshot of the QR barcode that you originally used to create your app’s authentication, you can use that screenshot to establish your credentials on a new phone.

Just throw the screenshot up on your computer, install Google Authenticator on your new phone, and use the plus sign on the app to scan the barcode. (You can also enter the setup key code if that’s what you saved.) Do this for each of your apps, and you’ll be all set.

Transfer Your Authenticator Keys via Android

If you’ve got two Android phones, you can transfer your accounts to a new phone by exporting them via a QR code generated by the Authenticator app. Follow the steps below;

  • Install Google Authenticator on your new phone.
  • Tap “Get started.”
  • Tap “Scan a QR code.” You’ll get a grid and instructions to “Place QR code within red lines.”
  • Open Google Authenticator on your older phone.
  • Tap on the three dots on the top right of the screen and select “Transfer accounts”
  • Select “Export accounts.” You may be asked to verify your identity via a fingerprint, password, or another method.
  • Uncheck which accounts you don’t want to export. Tap “Next.”
  • You’ll be shown a QR code. Centre it in the grid on your new phone.
  • You should see the imported app now listed in your Google Authenticator app on the new phone. (Note: the app will not be deleted from your old phone.)

With these steps, you can easily transfer your authentication keys via your android. You can check for more details here.

CHECK THIS OUT

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here