How to Move Google Authenticator to New Phone

Introduction

Google Authenticator is a great option for keeping your accounts secure using two-factor authentication. However, because it is such a critical tool and getting things wrong can mean you lose access to those accounts, moving Google Authenticator from your old phone to your new phone can be scary and stressful. In this video I’ll walk you through how to safely transfer your Google Authenticator accounts from your old phone to your new phone so you won’t lose access to your accounts. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in the YouTube video below.

Steps to Move Google Authenticator to New Phone

1. Launch the Google Authenticator app on the phone you want to move it from. You’ll see a list of accounts you have set up in Google Authenticator.
2. Tap the “Ellipses” icon at the top of the screen. A menu is shown.
3. Tap “Export Accounts.” The Export Accounts screen is displayed.
4. Tap “Continue.” You’ll land on a screen showing you the accounts you have set up in Google Authenticator.
5. Tap to remove the check mark from any accounts you don’t want to move to Google Authenticator on your new device. In this example I’ll choose to move all of them. Tap “Export” when you’re ready. You’ll be prompted to download Google Authenticator on your new device and then scan the QR code to move the accounts over to the new device.
6. Download the Google Authenticator app on your new phone, launch it, and then tap “Get Started” on the home screen. You’ll land on a screen that will prompt you to either scan a QR code or enter a setup key. In this example, tap “Scan QR Code” and then scan the QR code shown in the Google Authenticator screen on your old phone. You’ll see a message that all of your accounts were moved to Google Authenticator on your new phone. Tap “OK” in this message.
7. Now, switch over to your old phone where Google Authenticator should still be open. You’ll see a Remove Your Exported Accounts screen. You can choose to either remove all exported accounts from Google Authenticator on this device, or keep them on this device as well. In this example, and what I’d recommend you do, is to remove all exported accounts.
8. Tap “Done” after making your selection. You’ll see a prompt to remove your exported accounts.
9. Tap “Remove Accounts.” A dialog box is shown letting you know that your exported accounts have been removed from your device.
10. Tap “Continue.” You’ll be routed to the Google Authenticator home screen.