Moving Your Google Authenticator to a New Phone

Switching to a new device? If you’re using Google Authenticator for two-factor authentication, you’ll want to make sure your authentication codes move with you. Whether you’re upgrading to the latest model or replacing a damaged phone, here’s everything you need to know about transferring your authenticator codes to your new device.

Understanding Why You Need to Transfer Authenticator

Google Authenticator stores unique security codes on your phone. When you get a new device, these codes don’t automatically sync to your new phone—you need to manually transfer them. Fortunately, Google provides two straightforward methods: using QR codes or recovery key phrases.

Method 1: Syncing Authenticator Codes via QR Code

This is the most common approach for transferring your authenticator to a new phone. Here’s how to do it:

On Your Current Phone

1. Open the Google Authenticator app and locate the three-dot menu in the top right corner
2. Select “Transfer accounts”
3. Tap “Export accounts” and verify your identity by entering your PIN when prompted
4. Choose which accounts you want to transfer to your new phone, then tap “Next”
5. The app will generate a QR code for you to scan

On Your New Phone

Before proceeding, make sure Google Authenticator is already installed on your new device.

1. Open Google Authenticator and tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right
2. Select “Transfer accounts”
3. Choose “Import accounts”
4. Tap “Scan QR codes”
5. Use your new phone’s camera to scan the QR code displayed on your old phone
6. Your authenticator transfer is complete

Method 2: Using Recovery Key Phrase to Migrate Authenticator

If the QR code method doesn’t work or you prefer an alternative approach, you can use a recovery key phrase instead:

Setting Up on Your New Device

1. Download Google Authenticator on your new phone
2. Tap the “+” icon within the app
3. Select “Manual entry”
4. In the “Key” field, enter your recovery key phrase
5. You can add a custom name in the “Account” field to help distinguish between multiple accounts
6. Complete the setup

Common Issues with Authenticator Transfer

If your generated code doesn’t work after transferring, check that you’ve entered the recovery key correctly. You can also try syncing your Google Authenticator by revisiting the transfer settings. Make sure both phones have the latest version of the app installed for the smoothest transfer experience.

Final Tips for Transferring Your Authenticator Successfully

Keep your recovery key phrase in a safe place—it’s your backup if you ever need to transfer authenticator codes again. Store it separately from your password in a secure location. Before discarding your old phone, verify that all codes are working correctly on your new device to ensure uninterrupted access to your accounts.