# How to transfer Google Authenticator to a new phone

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.

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### Note

Before you turn off your old phone or delete the Authenticator app, set up an alternative [two-factor authentication](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/e-mail/e-mail-security/two-factor-authentication-protection-for-your-accounts/ "Two factor authentication: Protection for your accounts") 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**.

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1. Open the Google Authenticator app on your previous phone.

[![Image: Google Authenticator app](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/f/csm_google-authenticator-app_0161a5d274.webp "Google Authenticator app")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2021/google-authenticator-app.png) In the overview of the Google Authenticator app, the current code is displayed.       2. Tap and hold the code displayed until the **trash icon** appears in the top right of the screen. Tap on the symbol.
3. Confirm deletion of the current account by clicking “**Remove account**” in the pop-up window.

[![Image: Google Authenticator app account removal](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/8/6/csm_google-authenticator-app-account-removal_85d09e1258.webp "Google Authenticator app account removal")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2021/google-authenticator-app-account-removal.png) Confirm account deletion in Google Authenticator app.       4. On your **new phone**, download the app and set up the [Google Authenticator app](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/security/set-up-google-authenticator/) 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](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/2/a/csm_google-authenticator-app-menu_f863e1b383.webp "Google Authenticator App menu")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2021/google-authenticator-app-menu.png) Select “Export accounts” from menu.       3. A QR code is shown.
4. 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](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/4/csm_google-authenticator-app-account-transfer_930fd1f2e5.webp "Google Authenticator app account transfer")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2021/google-authenticator-app-account-transfer.png) On your new smartphone, import an existing Google Authenticator account.       5. Use your new phone to scan the QR code displayed on your old smartphone.

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### 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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This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/security/move-google-authenticator-to-a-new-phone/](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/security/move-google-authenticator-to-a-new-phone/) for AI/LLM consumption.