Changing an Android smartphone is very easy these days. But if you’re using Google Authenticator, take the time to transfer the app…
When you buy a new Android smartphone, like the Pixel 7, you want it to work as quickly as possible. The time spent on the old phone is the time you could spend on a new one. Understandable excitement, but take your time, really. Before deleting data from your old device, there is one step that will save you a lot of hassle.
This warning applies to those using Google Authenticator on older Android devices. This application is a good security measure for many online accounts with two-factor authentication. Thanks to such an application, an attacker will not be able to log into your Google, Instagram or Twitter account, even if he knows your username and password. The last key is on your smartphone.
But that’s the point: it’s on your old phone. Google Authenticator doesn’t automatically track you when you change phones. If you erase your old phone without setting up the latest one, these codes will disappear. Redditor Kracer20 had the painful experience of switching phones without migrating their Google Authenticator app. This gave him the idea to write a public announcement on r/GooglePixel, so to speak, knowing that many users could be deceived.
How to Transfer Google Authenticator Codes to a New Phone
Google’s instructions make the procedure very simple and straightforward. First, make sure Google Authenticator is up to date on your old phone. Then install Google Authenticator on your new phone and open the app. Select Start. At the bottom of the screen, select “Are existing accounts important?”
Then, on your old smartphone, open Google Authenticator, select More > Account Migration > Export Accounts. Select the accounts to transfer to the new device, then click Next. This will generate a QR code. If you are transferring multiple accounts, you may have more than one code. On the new phone, click “Scan QR Code”and scan.
Once you get confirmation that your accounts have been migrated, that’s good! You won’t have any trouble accessing your two-factor authentication-protected accounts on your new phone. However, before erasing your old device, make sure your important data is backed up and synced, if not already, to your new phone.
Consider other authentication options
There are many other similar applications to avoid this problem. If you use the Bitwarden password manager, you just need to log into your account on your new phone to get your codes from there. Of course, there is a security risk: Google Authenticator only exists on your current smartphone, and if someone has access to your Bitwarden account, they can get your two-factor authentication codes. But you don’t have to worry about transferring the app every time you change devices. Just be sure to set a very strong and completely unique password for your Bitwarden account.
Another good option is Aegis Authenticator, an open source app that has a backup feature. That way, if your phone gives up a ghost or you erase it before transferring it to a new phone, you can still find your codes without any problems. You can also consider Authy, a popular alternative for all devices, to access your codes on more than just your smartphone.