Transfer your Google Authenticator codes before you switch phones

Google Authenticator (the app Google calls "Duo Mobile" in some regions) stores two-factor authentication codes that prove your identity when you sign into accounts. When you get a new phone, those codes stay on your old device unless you move them. You have two paths: transfer your existing codes to the new phone, or set up two-factor authentication fresh on each account.

The transfer method depends on whether you turned on the backup feature when you first set up Authenticator. If you did, Google can restore your codes automatically. If you did not, you will need to re-add each account one at a time on your new phone, or use a one-time backup code if your account provider gave you one.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Authenticator codes do not move automatically to a new phone — you must transfer them yourself or set up two-factor authentication again.
  • If you enabled backup during setup, you can restore all your codes by signing into your Google Account on the new phone.
  • If you did not enable backup, you will need the QR code or setup key for each account, or use a one-time recovery code from that account.
  • Before you switch phones, write down or photograph any recovery codes your banks or email provider gave you — these let you regain access if you lose your authenticator.
  • Test that your codes work on the new phone before you delete the app from your old one.

Check whether you have backup enabled

Open Google Authenticator on your current phone. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Look for a "Transfer account" or "Backup" option. If you see it, backup is already on and your codes are stored in your Google Account. If you do not see it, your codes exist only on this phone and you will need to re-add them manually.

You can also check by going to your Google Account settings at myaccount.google.com, selecting "Security" on the left, scrolling to "Two-Step Verification," and looking for "Authenticator app" listed there. If it shows a backup status, your codes are backed up.

Transfer codes if backup is enabled

On your new phone, read Google Authenticator from the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). Open the app and sign into your Google Account when prompted. The app will ask whether you want to restore your codes. Tap "Yes" or "Restore." Google will pull all your saved codes from your account and populate them in the app on your new phone.

This process takes a few seconds. Once it finishes, open each account that uses two-factor authentication and try signing in to confirm the codes are working. If a code does not match what the account expects, the transfer did not complete — go back and try restoring again, or contact the account provider for help.

Re-add codes manually if backup is not enabled

If you did not have backup turned on, you will need to set up two-factor authentication again for each account. Go to the security or account settings page for each service (Gmail, your bank, social media, etc.) and look for "Two-Step Verification," "Two-Factor Authentication," or "Authenticator." The site will show you a QR code or a setup key — a long string of letters and numbers.

On your new phone, open Google Authenticator and tap the plus sign (+) in the bottom right. Choose "Scan a QR code" and point your camera at the code on your computer or old phone screen. If you only have the setup key, tap "Enter a setup key" instead and type it in. The app will add that account to your list. Repeat this for every account that uses Authenticator.

This method takes longer but works even if your old phone is lost or broken. Keep the QR codes or setup keys visible while you work through each account — do not close the browser tab or page until you have confirmed the code works in Authenticator.

Use recovery codes if you cannot access the original setup

When you first set up two-factor authentication on an account, the provider usually gave you a set of one-time recovery codes. These are long alphanumeric strings meant for emergencies — they let you sign in if you lose access to your authenticator. If you saved these codes, you can use one to regain access to an account and then set up Authenticator fresh on your new phone.

Look for these codes in your email, a password manager, or a physical notebook where you may have written them down. Sign into the account using your password and one recovery code instead of an authenticator code. Once you are in, go to the security settings and remove the old Authenticator setup, then add it again using your new phone. The account will generate a new QR code for you to scan.

Delete the app from your old phone only after testing

Before you delete Google Authenticator from your old phone, sign into at least one account that uses it and verify the code on your new phone works. Open the account's login page, enter your password, and when it asks for your two-factor code, use the code from Authenticator on your new phone. If it accepts it, the transfer worked.

Once you have confirmed at least one code works, you can safely delete the app from your old phone. If you keep the old phone, you can leave Authenticator on it as a backup, but make sure it is not your only copy of those codes — if the phone is lost or stolen, you will be locked out of your accounts.

What to do if codes are missing after transfer

If you restored your codes but some accounts are not showing up in Authenticator on your new phone, those accounts were probably not set up with backup enabled. Check the account's security settings to see if Authenticator is still listed as active. If it is, you will need to remove it and set it up again using the new phone's camera to scan the QR code.

If an account shows Authenticator as inactive, you may have disabled it at some point. Go to the two-factor authentication settings and re-enable it, then scan the new QR code with your new phone. This is also a good time to check whether the account offers backup codes — if it does, save them somewhere safe like a password manager or a locked drawer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same Google Authenticator account on two phones at once?

Yes. If you restore your codes on a new phone, the old phone will still have them. Both phones will show the same codes and both will work for signing in. This is useful as a backup, but remember that if one phone is stolen, someone could use it to access your accounts — consider deleting the app from the old phone once you are sure the new one works.

What if I lost my old phone and cannot transfer the codes?

Use a recovery code from one of your accounts to sign in, then remove Authenticator from that account's security settings and set it up again on your new phone. Repeat this for each account. If you do not have recovery codes saved, contact the account provider's support team — they can verify your identity and help you regain access.

Does transferring codes to a new phone affect my password?

No. Your password stays the same. Authenticator codes are separate from your password — they are a second layer of security. Moving the app to a new phone does not change either one.

Can I transfer codes to a different type of phone, like from iPhone to Android?

Yes. Google Authenticator works on both iPhone and Android. If you have backup enabled, restoring on an Android phone works the same way as restoring on another iPhone. If you do not have backup, you can manually re-add codes on any phone type by scanning the QR code or entering the setup key.

What if I set up a new phone but forgot to transfer Authenticator first?

You can still transfer it. Go back to your old phone, open Authenticator, and follow the steps to restore on a new device. Or, if your old phone is no longer available, use a recovery code to sign into one of your accounts and set up Authenticator fresh on the new phone for that account, then repeat for the others.