Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor generates six-digit codes that you use to log in to your Google account and other web apps. Migrating the app over to a new smart­phone is easy. Learn how to move the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor to your new phone using a new phone number or your existing one.

Quick tutorial: Transfer Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor to a new phone

  1. Transfer to a new cell number:
    • De­ac­ti­vate the app on your old phone by clicking on the app until you see the trash symbol in the upper right corner of the display.
    • Click the symbol to confirm the removal process.
    • Set up Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor on your new phone.
  2. Transfer with existing cell number:
    • On your previous phone, select “Transfer accounts - Export accounts” from the app menu. A QR code will appear.
    • Install the app on your new phone, select “Import accounts” and “Scan a QR code” in the menu and scan the QR code on your old smart­phone.

Move Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor to new phone: step by step

The following step-by-step in­struc­tions describe how to transfer the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor app to your new phone with a new number. If you want to keep your existing number, the transfer process is slightly different. In that case, skip to the in­struc­tions in the next paragraph.

Note

Before you turn off your old phone or delete the Au­then­ti­ca­tor app, set up an al­ter­na­tive two-factor au­then­ti­ca­tion in your Google account, for example, by sending an SMS or calling the new cell number. Otherwise, you run the risk of locking yourself out of your account.

  1. Open the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor app on your previous phone.
Image: Google Authenticator app
In the overview of the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor app, the current code is displayed.
  1. Tap and hold the code displayed until the trash icon appears in the top right of the screen. Tap on the symbol.
  2. Confirm deletion of the current account by clicking “Remove account” in the pop-up window.
Image: Google Authenticator app account removal
Confirm account deletion in Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor app.
  1. On your new phone, download the app and set up the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor app again.

Transfer Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor to new phone using existing number

Migration of the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor is even easier if you’re keeping your existing phone number:

  1. Open the app on your old phone and click on the three-dot menu in the top right.
  2. Select “Export accounts” from the menu options.
Image: Google Authenticator App menu
Select “Export accounts” from menu.
  1. A QR code is shown.
  2. Download the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor app to your new phone and click “Import existing accounts?” directly on the home screen or in the menu, then click “Import accounts” and finally “Scan a QR code”.
Image: Google Authenticator app account transfer
On your new smart­phone, import an existing Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor account.
  1. Use your new phone to scan the QR code displayed on your old smart­phone.
Note

The two methods to transfer the Google Au­then­ti­ca­tor app to a new phone work for migrating when switching between iOS and Android and vice versa too.

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