How to Restore Google Authenticator if You Lost or Reset Your Phone

PDF download Download Article

A step-by-step guide to restoring Google Authenticator if you've lost or switched your phone

PDF download Download Article

If you use Google Authenticator to log in to sites using two-step verification, you'll need to transfer your Authenticator keys when you get a new phone. Now that Authenticator automatically backs up your one-time codes to your Google account, it should be easy—just install Authenticator on a new phone and sign in with your Google account. But what if you've reset your phone to factory settings or switched to a new phone without transferring Authenticator and weren't using cloud backup? If you can still access your old Authenticator (or have printed or screen-captured your QR code), recovering your accounts is simple. This wikiHow article will show you how to restore Google Authenticator onto a new phone or tablet.

Things You Should Know

  • As of April 2023, Google Authenticator automatically backs up your one-time codes to your Google account.
  • As long as you've updated Google Authenticator and it's connected to your Google account, you can restore Authenticator from the cloud.
  • If you aren't backing up Authenticator, you can manually transfer your accounts to a new device or restore using your QR code.
Section 1 of 4:

Restoring from the Cloud

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you've updated Google Authenticator on your primary device after April 2023 and haven't turned off cloud backup, your Authenticator codes can easily be restored from the cloud.
  2. Once you're signed in, your Google Authenticator codes will be restored. You should then see all of the accounts for which you use Authenticator on the app's main screen.
    • If you use Authenticator for 2-step verification to log in to your Google account but don't have access to Authenticator on your old device, you'll need to restore your Google account to get back in. To do this, go to https://accounts.google.com/signin/recovery .
    • If this method doesn't work for you, you can use the other methods in this article to restore Google Authenticator.
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

If You're Still Logged In

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you don't have access to your original phone or installation of Authenticator, you might be in luck if you're still logged into your accounts. If you can still access the accounts you sign in to with Authenticator, you can reset Authenticator (or temporarily disable 2FA, which is possible on Discord , Microsoft , and other services) on those sites.
    • The process will differ for each site, service, or app, but you'll usually find the option to set up a new device in your Security or Authentication settings.
    • Some services will display a QR code or a key that you can enter into the Authenticator app on your phone to reset it.
    • Don't forget to check all your devices to see if any are still logged in. For example, if you logged in to YouTube on your PC or Mac, you can probably still access your security settings there.
Section 3 of 4:

If You're Not Logged In

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your email or phone number is linked to the accounts you've added to the Authenticator app, you should be able to use the site or app's account recovery method to get back in. If not, and you created backup codes for any of the sites you use to log in, you can use those codes to log back into each site and then set up Authenticator on your new device like new.
    • If you try to log in, you should be prompted for your Authenticator code; look around and click the Try another way link (it may be worded differently).
    • Once you log into your account, reset the link to your Authenticator.
    2. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Transferring Authenticator (If You Still Have Your Phone)

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you still have access to your old Authenticator and aren't using cloud backup, you can easily restore all of your accounts onto a new device by scanning your QR code with that device.
    • The only way to recover Authenticator if you've lost your phone and weren't using cloud backup is to back up your QR code in advance. To make sure you're prepared in the future, you can also use this method to print your QR code and store it somewhere safe.
  2. This will be the three vertical dots on an Android or the three horizontal lines on an iPhone.
  3. This takes you to the Export Accounts screen.
  5. These can include non-Google services as well as any Google accounts that are listed.
    • More than one code may prompt your phone to make multiple QR codes.
  6. You'll immediately see a QR code on the screen. [1]
    • If you have a new phone, open the Google Authenticator app, tap + , and then Scan a QR code . Hold your new phone up to scan the QR code on your old phone's screen.
    • If you don't have the new phone yet or want to save the code for later, you can take a screenshot and print it .
      • On iPhone/iPad, you can freely screenshot each QR code.
      • On some Android devices, you won't be able to take a screenshot of the QR code. Instead, you'll need to take a photo of the code using another device, like your computer's webcam or another phone.
    • If you ever lose access to Authenticator, set up a new account, then tap Scan a code when you're going through the setup. This way, your account will be just like your old Authenticator account!
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If you're locked out of a popular platform like Google or Instagram, you can use your phone number or email to regain access to that account and reset your Google Authenticator verification method.
        Thanks
        Helpful 23 Not Helpful 10
      • Still have the old phone with your Google Authenticator account on it? Transfer all the information before you reset the old phone!
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Delete Google Photos and Keep Them on Your iPhone
      How to
      Sign Up for a New Google Voice Phone Number
      How to
      Disable Google Safe Search
      Dark Mode in Google Docs: Easy Steps for Desktop & Mobile
      2 Easy Ways to Permanently Delete (or, Hide) Your YouTube Channel
      How to
      Sign Out of Your Google Account on All Devices at Once
      2 Simple Ways to Unsync Google Photos
      Google Docs: 4 Ways to Delete Extra Pages in Your Document
      How to
      Use Google Translate: Complete Beginner's Guide
      How to
      Fix the "Google Play Store Has Stopped" Error
      Reverse Image Search in Google Lens: Android, iPhone, & Desktop
      How to
      Step Seeing Google Ads on PC or Mobile Devices
      2 Ways to Write a Review on Google
      How to
      Delete Duplicate Photos from your Google Storage
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 466,289 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement