How to Transfer Google Authenticator to a New Phone (2025 Guide)

Switching to a new phone and want to keep your 2-Step Verification codes?
Don’t lose access to your accounts — this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to transfer Google Authenticator to a new phone safely and securely.

Whether you’re using Android or iPhone, this 2025 tutorial has you covered.

✅ What You Need Before You Start

• 📱 Your old phone with Google Authenticator installed
• 📲 Your new phone, connected to the internet
• 🔐 Access to your Google account (password, recovery info)

🧠 Note: You must transfer your accounts manually — Google Authenticator doesn’t sync via cloud unless you use the backup feature introduced in 2023.

🧭 How to Transfer Google Authenticator (Android & iPhone)

🔹 Step 1: Install Google Authenticator on Your New Phone

• Download from Google Play Store or App Store

🔹 Step 2: Open Google Authenticator on Your Old Phone

1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) or Settings
2. Choose Transfer accounts
3. Tap Export accounts

🔹 Step 3: Choose Accounts to Transfer

• Select the accounts (2FA logins) you want to move
• Tap Next
• A QR code will be generated on your old phone

🔹 Step 4: Scan the QR Code with Your New Phone

1. On your new phone, open Google Authenticator
2. Tap Get Started > Import existing account > Scan QR code
3. Use the camera to scan the QR code from your old device

✅ That’s it! Your codes should now appear on your new phone.

🔄 What Happens to Your Old Authenticator?

• The accounts are copied, not deleted
• You can still use the old device (temporarily), but it’s safer to remove the accounts afterward to avoid duplication or confusion

🧩 What If You Lost Your Old Phone?

If you don’t have your old phone, you’ll need to:

• Use backup codes saved during 2FA setup
• Or log in to your accounts and disable/re-enable 2FA from their security settings

For Google account recovery:
👉 https://myaccount.google.com/security

🔒 Pro Tips for Safe Transfer

Tip	Why It Helps
📁 Save backup codes	Prevents total lockout
🔐 Enable screen lock	Protect your Authenticator app
☁️ Use cloud sync (if available)	As of 2023, cloud sync is available via Google Account
🔄 Remove old Authenticator access	Keep your 2FA codes secure on one trusted device only

⚠️ Supported Platforms

• ✅ Android 8.0+
• ✅ iOS 12.0+
• ❌ Not available on desktop (Google Authenticator is mobile-only)

📌 Summary

Transferring Google Authenticator to a new phone is easy when you follow the proper steps:

✅ Install Authenticator on new device
✅ Use Transfer accounts > Export on old device
✅ Scan QR code with new device
✅ Double-check all 2FA codes work before resetting your old phone

Q1: Can I transfer Google Authenticator without my old phone?

A: If you don’t have access to your old phone, you can’t directly transfer the codes. You’ll need to use backup codes or log into each account individually and reset 2FA.

Q2: Does Google Authenticator sync across devices?

A: As of late 2023, Google introduced cloud sync for Authenticator via your Google account. If enabled, your 2FA codes can be recovered on a new device automatically.

Q3: Can I keep Authenticator on both phones?

A: Yes, during transfer the accounts are copied, not moved. However, for security reasons, it’s best to remove the codes from the old phone once verified on the new one.

Q4: What if I see duplicate codes after transfer?

A: You can manually remove the duplicated accounts from the old device using the trash icon or by uninstalling the app.

Q5: Are third-party apps better than Google Authenticator?

A: Apps like Authy offer more features (like multi-device sync and backups), but Google Authenticator is lightweight, secure, and trusted by most platforms.