Kode

Move Google Authenticator to a new phone

Are you signed in to Google Authenticator with your Google Account? Then install the app on the new phone, sign in with the same account, and your codes come along. If you use it without an account, move the codes with Transfer accounts while you still have the old phone.

With a Google Account

  1. On the old phone: tap your profile picture at the top of Google Authenticator and check that you're signed in with your Google Account. Then your codes are saved to the account.
  2. On the new phone: install Google Authenticator, tap Get started, and sign in with the same Google Account.
  3. Check a couple of codes before you wipe the old phone.

Without a Google Account: Transfer accounts

  1. On the old phone: tap Menu (⋯) › Transfer accounts › Export accounts, and unlock the phone.
  2. Pick the accounts to move and tap Next. The phone shows a QR code – several if you have many accounts.
  3. On the new phone: tap Menu (⋯) › Transfer accounts › Import accounts, and scan each QR code.
  4. Sign in a couple of places with the new codes before you delete anything on the old phone.

Google's own instructions: Google Account Help.

The old phone is gone

If your codes were saved to your Google Account, just sign in on the new phone. If they weren't, the keys were only on the old phone and can't be recovered. Then, for each service:

  1. Sign in with a backup code you got when you set up two-factor login, or use the service's account recovery.
  2. Set up the authenticator app again and scan the new QR code.

For your Google Account itself, use another 2-Step Verification method or one of your backup codes. If the phone was stolen and your codes were synced, remove the old device from your Google Account.

Codes don't work on the new phone

Codes are calculated from the clock. Check that date and time are set automatically – on iPhone under Settings › General › Date & Time.

Codes that move by themselves

Kode is a free iPhone app by Peter Theill, with no account and no ads. Your keys live in the iPhone's Keychain, and with iCloud Keychain – which is end-to-end encrypted – they're simply there on your new iPhone when you sign in with your Apple Account.

To switch from Google Authenticator, use the same Transfer accounts QR codes: in Kode, tap Settings › Import from Google Authenticator and scan them. Move your codes to Kode

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