Where Do I Get Key for Google Authenticator

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the best and easiest ways to keep your online accounts bastioned. It full treatmen by issuing an certification write in code connected your phone when soul tries to approach the account; if that soul doesn't have the code, they (operating theater you) wear't get in. Away victimization a 2FA app, much as Google Authenticator or Authy, you stern prevent somebody from accessing your data by getting your password. (You can have a code texted to you, but that is considered far less secure cod to the rise of and so-called SIM hacking.)

Thither is, of course, a catch. Because 2FA uses a key specific to your phone, if you lose or break your headphone, you can't simply reinstall the app on your new headphone and go on from there. You need to transportation the key code for that phone besides as the app itself.

Different authentication apps handle this in unusual ways. In this article, I'm going to look at Google Appraiser, including the easiest mode to transfer the app to a new-sprung phone if you serve wealthy person access to the gaga unity, and how you can prepare for a possible problem (like a broken phone).

Google Authenticator lets you establish 2FA by using your phone to glance over a QR code generated by the app on a separate device or by ingress a key code. Information technology's a relatively well-situated physical process — unless you find you have to move the app to a new-sprung phone.

Because 2FA uses security keys that are specified to each pick of hardware, you can't simply reinstall Google Authenticator on your freshly phone and use IT to log in. Instead, you have to carry-over the keys to your new app.

The easiest method, especially if you use 2FA with several apps, is to practice the Appraiser app's dedicated transfer feature article to move your keys from one phone to the other. Nevertheless, there are two assumptions Hera: first, that you induce access to both the old and new-sprung call up, and indorsement, that you have Mechanical man devices. If either of these assumptions doesn't bring for your situation, there are other methods you can use, which we'll cover next. But number one, the wanton method.

Transfer your Authenticator keys via Humanoid

If you've got two Android phones, you can transfer your accounts to a new call up by exporting them via a QR encipher generated by the Authenticator app.

• Install Google Appraiser happening your new phone.
• Tap "Get started."
• Tap "Scan a QR code." You'll get a grid and book of instructions to "Place QR code within red lines."
• Heart-to-heart Google Authenticator connected your older phone.
• Beg on the tercet dots on the tipto right of the sieve and select "Transfer accounts"
• Take "Export accounts." You Crataegus oxycantha be asked to verify your identity via a fingerprint, watchword, operating theatre other method.
• Uncheck which accounts you don't want to export. Tap "Next."
• You'll make up shown a QR computer code. Center it in the grid in your unprecedented phone.
• You should see the imported app right away listed in your Google Appraiser app in the new call up. (Note: the app will non be deleted from your old headphone.)

Alternative method #1: Use your backup codes

When you start found Google Authenticator, you may be given a set of backup codes and asked to print them out operating theatre otherwise save them. And you definitely do wish to save them; impress them proscribed and put them somewhere safe operating theater create a PDF and deliver it where cypher else tooshie entree it. If your phone goes south, these codes bequeath be a good way to reinstate authentication on your newfangled phone — assumptive, of course, you haven't lost the codes.

This is also the style to reestablish your keys along a new iPhone.

If you incomprehensible that whole step during the installation, you hindquarters get those backup codes anyway. For that, you have to come in your Google account and so play along these steps:

• Click connected "Certificate" in the near-hand column.
• Scroll down to and select "2-Step Substantiation." You'll probably give to enter your password.
• Whorl down to "Backup Codes" and click on "Show Codes."

Click on "Usher Codes" to get ahead your 10 backup codes for your Google account.

• You'll get a list of 10 codes. Each inscribe can be used once; if you use them every last, you can get more past clicking on "Show Codes" and then on "Get New Codes."

Alternative method #2: Take a screenshot of the barcode

One way to create a backup in case you lose your phone is to take and save a screenshot of the barcode that is created for each 2FA-fastened app. If you've mislaid your backup codes, but you've blest a screenshot of the QR barcode that you primitively secondhand to create your app's authentication, you can practice that screenshot to establish your credentials on a new phone.

Just throw the screenshot heavenward on your computer, install Google Authenticator happening your new phone, and use the advantageous sign on the app to rake the barcode. (You can besides enter the setup key code if that's what you saved.) Do this for each of your apps, and you'll be all set.

Update October 12th, 2021, 11:20AM ET: This article was primitively published on September 2nd, 2020; the directions for transferring between Android phones let been updated.

Where Do I Get Key for Google Authenticator

Source: https://www.theverge.com/21410260/google-authenticator-2fa-how-to-phone-security-iphone-android

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