Google Authenticator is a free security two-factor authentication (2FA) app. When you change or upgrade phones, don’t forget to move Google authenticator on new phone each time you upgrade to a new phone.
Google Authenticator does not transfer codes automatically – you need to do that manually.
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What is Google Authenticator?
It is an app that assists in two-step authentication for your Google account and allows you to use your phone as a second step in confirming your identity before accessing your account.
Luckily, it’s not that difficult to move Google Authenticator codes from one phone to another, although, it can be somewhat cumbersome and time-consuming.
However, here’s what you have to know on Google Authenticator’s new phone. Whether you’re changing platforms or staying within your iOS or Android worlds, the process is the same.
Google Authenticator App -Things to Remember
It is necessary to finish your Google Authenticator switch while you still have your old phone.
There is a strong chance you will not regain access to some of your accounts, whether you lose, get rid of, or sell your phone before switching your Google Authenticator app and the 2FA codes.
This is because Google Authenticator does not include a method to retrieve lost 2FA codes.
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You can set up two-step authentication using the Google Authenticator app on your new phone.
Protect Your Using Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a formidable layer of security to your online accounts by necessitating two steps to log into your Google apps.
It is more and more suggested as a way to help strengthen your online security by making it harder for others to log in as you.
There are detailed steps you must take, if you lose your phone or upgrade to a new device, or else the barrier to entry to your Google accounts could become rather confusing.
Allow me to walk you through the process of transferring the G Authenticator to another device.
How to Move Google Authenticator to a New Phone
- Firstly, install Google Authenticator on your new iPhone or Android phone, and sign in to the app using your Google account. You can find Google Authenticator for Android in the Play Store and Google Authenticator for iOS in the App Store.
- Secondly, load the Google Authenticator page in your browser. You will receive a prompt to log in with your Google identifications. You will see the authenticator app listed. Click change phone.
- Thirdly, in the popup window, you’ll receive a prompt to select what kind of new phone you have: Android or iPhone. After you have made your selection, click next.
- Fourthly, open the Google Authenticator app on your new phone and tap Begin setup > Scan barcode.
- Then, choose next on the webpage after you have used your new phone to scan the barcode displayed in your browser. You’ll be prompted to enter the six-digit authenticator code you see on your phone.
- Click Verify. You should be prompted that the Authenticator has successfully been moved. You can now use your new device for Google’s two-step authentication.
- Next comes the time-consuming part. If you use Google Authenticator for other apps, you need to log into each of those sites individually to take away the old Google Authenticator app and add your new phone, also by scanning the QR code.
- Head back to your old phone after you finish updating each account on your new phone.
- Tap the Edit button (pencil icon) and begin deleting the individual 2FA codes.
- After you have deleted all those codes, you can delete Google Authenticator from the old device.
What Are Google Backup Codes?
Google backup codes are a set of exceptional security codes that give you access to your Google accounts without using 2FA.
If you lose your phone or unable to access Google Authenticator, you can use any of your unique backup codes to enter your Google account, bypassing the two-factor authentication.
Please note
This only works for your Google accounts, such as Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, and so on.
Other services may also propose a 2FA bypass procedure, but you have to contact and work through each service independently.
You can create a secure backup copy of your Google backup codes, ready for use in case of an eventuality.
Summary
Have you had difficulty setting up two-step authentication on your Android device? Share your experience in the discussion thread below.
