How to Transfer Google Authenticator to a New Phone (2026 Guide)

Transferring Google Authenticator to a New Phone

Two smartphones facing each other with glowing data streams and authentication codes transferring between them

Getting a new phone is one of the most common reasons people panic about their 2FA setup. The good news: transferring Google Authenticator has become much easier, and there are three ways to do it. Here's the complete guide.

Before You Start Critical Checklist

Before wiping or selling your old phone, make sure you have:

Your old phone is still accessible (charged and unlocked)
Google Authenticator is updated to the latest version on your old phone
Your new phone is set up and has Google Authenticator installed
Both phones have working internet connections

If your old phone is already gone, jump to the "Lost Phone Recovery" section below.

Method 1: Google Account Sync (Easiest Recommended)

Since the 2023 update, Google Authenticator can sync your accounts to your Google account.

On your old phone, open Google Authenticator
Tap the profile icon (top right) → check if accounts are synced to your Google account
If not synced, tap "Use Google account to back up codes" and sign in
Wait for sync to complete (a cloud icon with a checkmark appears)
On your new phone, install Google Authenticator from the App Store or Play Store
Open the app and sign in with the same Google account
All your accounts sync automatically

Limitation: This syncs to your Google account. If you're concerned about Google having access to your 2FA secrets, use Method 2 instead.

Method 2: Built-In Transfer (No Cloud Required)

This transfers accounts directly from phone to phone via QR code; nothing touches Google's servers.

On your old phone, open Google Authenticator
Tap the three-dot menu (top right) → "Transfer accounts" → "Export accounts"
Select which accounts you want to transfer (you can select all)
Tap "Next," and one or more QR codes appear on screen
On your new phone, open Google Authenticator → three-dot menu → "Transfer accounts" → "Import accounts"
Tap "Scan QR code" and point your new phone's camera at the QR code on your old phone
If you have many accounts, multiple QR codes appear; scan each one
Tap "Done." All accounts now appear on your new phone

Important: After verifying all codes work on your new phone, delete the accounts from your old phone to avoid confusion.

Method 3: Manual Re-Enrolment (If Methods 1 & 2 Don't Apply)

If you can still access your old phone but it doesn't support the transfer feature, you can re-add accounts manually:

Log in to each service on a computer
Go to Security → Two-Factor Authentication settings
Disable 2FA (you'll need to enter the current code from your old phone)
Re-enable 2FA and scan the new QR code with your new phone

This is tedious if you have many accounts, but it works reliably.

What To Do If Your Old Phone Is Lost or Broken

If you no longer have access to your old phone:

Try Google account restore if you had sync enabled, install Google Authenticator on your new phone, and sign in
Use backup codes, log in to each account using the backup codes you saved during 2FA setup
Use account recovery contact each service's support for manual recovery (see our guide: Lost Your 2FA Device? Here's What to Do)

After the Transfer: Verify Everything Works

Before you do anything else, test your code:

Open each account in Google Authenticator on your new phone
Log in to the corresponding service and verify the code works
Do this for every single account before clearing your old phone

You can also use our browser-based TOTP code generator to verify that a secret key produces the correct code.

Considering Switching Authenticator Apps?

If you're switching phones, it's a good opportunity to upgrade to a more secure authenticator. Consider:

Aegis (Android) open source, local encrypted vault, excellent export/import
Raivo (iOS) open source, clean interface, iCloud backup option
Bitwarden Authenticator cross-platform tool that integrates with your password manager

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run Google Authenticator on two phones at the same time?

Yes, if you use Google account sync. Both phones will show valid codes for all synced accounts. Without sync, the built-in export/import transfers accounts (it doesn't copy them — they move). You'd need to re-export to have both.

Will my codes still work during the transfer?

Yes. Your accounts on the old phone remain active until you manually delete them. During transfer, both old and new phones generate valid codes.

I transferred, but the codes don't work on my new phone. Why?

The most common cause is a clock sync issue. Go to your new phone's Settings → Date & Time → ensure "Automatic date & time" is turned on. If the codes are off by 30 seconds, the time on your phone is drifting.

Can I transfer from Google Authenticator to Authy?

Not directly. You'll need to disable and re-enable 2FA on each account, scanning the new QR code with Authy. There's no universal import between different authenticator apps.

How many accounts can I transfer at once?

The built-in transfer method handles all your accounts at once but may generate multiple QR codes if you have more than ~10 accounts (each QR code fits a limited amount of data). Scan all QR codes shown to transfer everything.