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

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How to restore Authenticator if you've lost or switched your phone
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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 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.

Google Authenticator Recovery

Google Authenticator is synced to your Google account, making it easy to restore on a new device. Even if you lose your phone, you can restore Authenticator by opening the app on your new phone and logging in to your Google account. If you can't log in, recover your account at accounts.google.com/signin/recovery.

Section 1 of 5:

Restoring from the Cloud

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  1. If you've updated Google Authenticator on your primary device after April 2023 and haven't turned off cloud backup, your Authenticator codes are synced to your Google account and 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 can no longer access your old device, you'll need to recover your Google account to get back in. To do this, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and follow the on-screen instructions.
      • Once recovered, just sign in to your Google account in Authenticator, and all your backup codes will be restored.
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Section 2 of 5:

Restoring from Another Device (If You Still Have It)

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  1. If you still have access to your old Authenticator, you can easily restore all your accounts onto a new device by scanning your QR code with that device. Begin by installing the Authenticator app on your new device, tapping Get Started , and logging in to your Google account. [1]
    • 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, jump down to Saving Your QR Code to learn how to print your QR code and store it somewhere safe.
  2. It's the three horizontal lines at the upper-right corner.
  3. This takes you to the Export Accounts screen.
  4. You will be prompted to unlock your screen using Face ID, Touch ID, or PIN. Once you do so, you will see a list of accounts connected to Google Authenticator.
  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. [2]
  7. In the Authenticator app on your new phone:
    • Tap the three-line menu at the top-left.
    • Select Transfer accounts .
    • Tap Import accounts .
    • Tap Scan QR code .
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to scan the QR code displayed on your old device's screen.
    • Once scanned, your Authenticator accounts will be recovered to your new device.
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Section 3 of 5:

Restoring Specific Accounts

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  1. If Google Authenticator wasn't synced to your Google account and you've lost access to your old device, see if you're still signed in to any of them on any devices. If you don't have access to your original phone or installation of Authenticator, you might be able to restore individual services in Authenticator if you're still signed in by resetting Authenticator or temporarily disabling 2FA (which is possible on Discord , Microsoft , and other services) for 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 may be able to access your security settings there.
  2. If you're not still logged in to sites and don't have access to your old Authenticator, you can usually get back in by recovering your accounts. 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.
    • For example, if you can't log in to Google because you lost your phone with Authenticator, you can recover your Google account.
    • If you try to log in to an account that uses Authenticator, 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.
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Section 4 of 5:

Restoring from a Saved QR Code

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  1. If you cannot recover Google Authenticator but have previously backed up your QR code by taking a screenshot or printing it out, you can recover Authenticator by scanning that code with your new device.
    • This method will only work if you have already saved or printed the QR code for Authenticator.
    • To learn how to save your QR codes in the future, jump to How to Back Up Authenticator .
  2. It's the three horizontal lines at the upper-right corner.
  3. This takes you to the Transfer Accounts screen.
  4. You'll see a message telling you to go to your old device and pull up the QR code.
  5. Find the printed version, or pull up the screenshot on a different device (such as your computer or tablet).
  6. Tap Scan QR code , then follow the on-screen instructions to scan the code. Once scanned, all accounts stored in Google Authenticator will be restored.
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Section 5 of 5:

How to Back Up Google Authenticator

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  1. By default, Authenticator is synced to your Google account as soon as you sign in, which means you'll always be able to recover your codes if you switch devices. If you didn't sign in to a Google account when you set up Authenticator, you will need to do so to back up Authenticator. Here's how:
    • Tap the profile icon at the top-right corner of Google Authenticator.
    • Select the Google account you want to back up to.
    • Authenticator will now stay synced with your Google account.
  2. If you don't want to back up Authenticator to your Google account, you can back up your QR code in advance. This way, you can use your new device to scan the code and instantly recover Authenticator on your new device.
    • On iPhone/iPad, you can freely screenshot your QR code and save it somewhere safe. We recommend printing the code and storing it in a secure location instead of keeping a digital version–you may be unable to access the digital version if you lose your phone.
    • 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.
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      • 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 verification method.
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      • Still have the old phone with your Google Authenticator account on it? Transfer all the information before you reset the old phone!
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      References

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

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