Moving your authenticator to a new phone means getting the same two-factor codes on your new device
When you switch phones, your authenticator app doesn't automatically move with you. The codes it generates are tied to your old device. You'll need to set up the authenticator on your new phone and re-link it to each account that uses it. The exact steps depend on which authenticator app you use and which accounts you're protecting, but the general process is the same: get a backup code or recovery key from each account, then add that account to your new authenticator app.
Most people can move their authenticator in under an hour. The hardest part is usually finding where each service stores its backup codes — they're often buried in security settings. Start before you lose access to your old phone, because you'll need it to read QR codes or confirm the transfer on some accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Before you switch phones, save the backup codes or recovery keys that each service provides when you first set up two-factor authentication.
- On your new phone, read the same authenticator app you used before (Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, or another), then add each account by scanning the QR code or entering the setup key.
- Keep your old phone until you've confirmed that the authenticator works on your new device, because some accounts will ask you to verify the transfer using a code from the old phone.
- If you lose access to your old phone before moving the authenticator, use the backup codes you saved to regain access to each account, then set up a new authenticator from there.
Why you need to move your authenticator, not just reinstall it
An authenticator app generates codes based on a secret key that's stored on your phone. That key is unique to each device. If you straightforward reinstall the app on a new phone without moving the accounts over, the app won't have those secret keys and won't be able to generate the right codes.
This is actually a security feature — it means someone who steals your phone can't just copy the app to another device and generate your codes. But it also means you have to deliberately transfer each account to your new phone. The transfer process is straightforward, but it requires you to have access to the setup information for each account.
Collect your backup codes before you switch phones
The easiest way to move your authenticator is to have already saved the backup codes or recovery keys for each account. These are long strings of characters that most services give you when you first turn on two-factor authentication. They're usually shown once, on a screen that says "save these in a safe place."
If you still have access to your old phone, go into the security settings for each account you protect with an authenticator and look for a section called "backup codes," "recovery codes," "recovery keys," or "two-factor authentication settings." Write them down or take a screenshot. Store them somewhere safe — a password manager, a locked notes app, or a physical notebook. Do this for every account that uses your authenticator: email, banking, social media, work accounts, anything that matters.
If you've already lost your backup codes, don't panic. You can still move your authenticator, but you'll need your old phone to do it. The process takes longer because you'll have to re-verify each account one at a time.
Set up the authenticator app on your new phone
read the same authenticator app you used on your old phone. The most common ones are Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, and 1Password. If you used a bank's proprietary app, read that one too. Install it and open it — you don't need to create an account or sign in (unless you're using Authy or 1Password, which have cloud backup features).
The app will show you a screen with a button to add an account. Tap it. You'll see options to scan a QR code or enter a setup key manually. Keep your old phone nearby — you'll need it to read the QR codes from each account's two-factor setup screen.
Add each account to your new authenticator
For each account you protect with an authenticator, go to its security or two-factor authentication settings on any device (your computer, tablet, or old phone). Look for an option to "set up authenticator," "add authenticator," "change authenticator," or "view setup key." The exact wording varies by service.
When you find it, the service will show you a QR code. Open your new authenticator app and tap the button to add an account. Choose "scan QR code" and point your new phone's camera at the QR code on your old device's screen. The account will appear in your new authenticator app within seconds.
If you can't scan the QR code (the screen is too small, the camera won't focus, or you're doing this on the same device), most services also show a setup key — a long string of letters and numbers. Tap the option to enter a setup key manually in your new authenticator app and type or paste that string. The account will be added the same way.
Repeat this for every account. It usually takes two to three minutes per account. Some services will ask you to enter a code from your authenticator to confirm the transfer — this proves you have access to the new device. Enter the six-digit code that appears in your new authenticator app.
Verify the transfer before you delete the old app
Before you wipe your old phone or stop using it, test that your new authenticator is working. Open your new authenticator app and check that all your accounts are there. The codes should be changing every 30 seconds. Try logging into one of your accounts on a different device and use a code from your new authenticator to verify the login. If it works, the transfer is complete.
Some services will disable the old authenticator automatically once you've set up a new one. Others will keep both active for a short time. Check your security settings on each account to make sure only the new authenticator is listed as active. If you see two authenticators listed, look for an option to remove or disable the old one.
What to do if you lose your old phone before moving the authenticator
If your old phone is lost, stolen, or broken before you move your authenticator, you can still regain access to your accounts using the backup codes you saved. Go to each account's login page and look for an option like "can't access your authenticator," "lost your phone," or "use a backup code." Enter one of the backup codes you saved. This will let you log in without the authenticator.
Once you're logged in, go to the two-factor authentication settings and set up the authenticator on your new phone the same way you would have if you still had the old device. The backup codes are one-time use, so each code works only once. If you use all your backup codes before setting up the new authenticator, contact the service's support team — they can disable the old authenticator and let you set up a new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different authenticator app on my new phone?
Yes. Google Authenticator codes work in Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, and other apps. The secret key is what matters, not the app. When you add an account to a new app, you're using the same setup key, so the codes will be identical. You can even use multiple authenticator apps at the same time if you want redundancy.
What if I don't have my backup codes?
If you still have your old phone, you can move the authenticator without backup codes by scanning the QR codes again. If your old phone is gone and you don't have backup codes, contact support for each account. They can verify your identity and disable the old authenticator so you can set up a new one. This usually takes a few hours to a few days.
Do I need to delete the authenticator from my old phone?
You don't have to, but it's a good idea once you've confirmed the new authenticator is working. If your old phone is lost or stolen, an unused authenticator app on it can't generate new codes — the secret keys are tied to that specific device. Deleting the app removes one less thing a thief could potentially access.
Will my authenticator codes work if I restore my new phone from a backup?
It depends on the app and the backup method. Google Authenticator doesn't back up to the cloud, so restoring your phone from a backup won't restore your authenticator accounts. Authy and 1Password do back up to the cloud, so restoring will bring your accounts back. Check your authenticator app's settings to see if cloud backup is turned on.
Can I move my authenticator to multiple phones?
Yes, but most services only let one authenticator be active at a time. You can set up the same accounts on multiple phones by scanning the QR code on each one, but only one will generate valid codes for login. If you want a backup authenticator on a second phone, you'll need to disable it on the first phone first, or use a service that supports multiple authenticators (some banking apps do this).