Moving Your Security Keys: How to Use Google Authenticator Transfer

Key Takeaways

To use Google Authenticator transfer, open the app on your old phone, tap the menu, and select Transfer accounts > Export accounts. On your new phone, choose Import existing accounts and scan the generated QR code to move your 2FA keys instantly.

Learning how to use google authenticator transfer is one of the most important steps when upgrading to a new smartphone. If you’ve ever set up two-factor authentication (2FA), you know that those six-digit codes are the only thing standing between a hacker and your private data. But because these codes are tied to your device’s internal hardware and specific security keys, they don't just "show up" on a new phone because you logged into your email.

Whether you are moving from Android to iPhone or just getting a newer model, the process is much simpler than it used to be. Gone are the days of manually disabling 2FA on twenty different websites. Today, Google provides a built-in tool that handles the heavy lifting through a simple QR code handshake.

Why You Need the Transfer Tool

In the past, Google Authenticator was strictly local. If you lost your phone, you lost your codes. While Google recently introduced cloud syncing to link codes to your Google Account, many privacy-conscious users prefer to keep their codes offline. If you haven't enabled cloud sync, the manual transfer tool is your only lifeline.

According to Google's official support documentation, transferring your accounts ensures that your unique secret keys are securely migrated without exposing them to the open web. This is a critical distinction because 2FA is meant to be something you have (your physical phone), and the transfer tool maintains that security standard.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Google Authenticator Transfer

Before you begin, make sure you have both your old phone and your new phone sitting in front of you. Both devices need to have the Google Authenticator app installed and updated to the latest version.

1. Open the App on Your Old Device: Launch Google Authenticator and tap the three-line menu (or three dots) in the top corner.
2. Start the Export: Tap on Transfer accounts and then select Export accounts.
3. Verify Your Identity: Your phone will ask for your PIN, pattern, or biometric scan (FaceID/Fingerprint) to prove it's really you.
4. Select Your Accounts: You’ll see a list of all your linked services. You can choose to move all of them or just a few. Once selected, tap Next.
5. Generate the QR Code: Your old phone will now display a large QR code. If you have many accounts, it might generate two or three codes that you’ll need to cycle through.
6. Switch to the New Phone: Open Google Authenticator on your new device. Tap Get Started and then select Import existing accounts? at the bottom of the screen.
7. Scan and Complete: Choose Scan QR code and point your new phone’s camera at the old phone’s screen. Once the scan is successful, your accounts will pop up instantly.

Quick Comparison: Cloud Sync vs. Manual Transfer

While we are focusing on how to use google authenticator transfer manually, it’s worth noting that Google now offers an automated way to do this. Here is how they stack up:

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest blunders people make is performing a factory reset on their old phone before verifying the transfer. Always test at least one or two codes on your new phone to ensure they actually work for logging in. If the time on your new phone is slightly off, the codes won't work. You can fix this in the app settings under Time correction for codes.

Another mistake is forgetting that some high-security apps (like certain banking or crypto platforms) might still require you to re-verify the device even after a successful transfer. As noted by security experts at TechRadar, you should never delete the app from your old device until you have successfully logged into your most important accounts using the new one.

Pros and Cons of Manual Transfers

Pros:

• You don't need a Google account to be signed in for the codes to work.
• Your sensitive 2FA seeds are never transmitted over the internet.
• It works across different operating systems (Android to iOS).

Cons:

• Requires you to have both physical devices working at the same time.
• If your old phone screen is cracked, the camera might struggle to scan the QR code.
• Manual updates are required every time you get a new device.

Troubleshooting Your Transfer

If the "Scan QR code" step isn't working, check your camera permissions. Sometimes the app won't automatically ask for permission, and you'll need to go into your phone's system settings to allow Google Authenticator to use the camera. Also, ensure your screen brightness is turned up on the old phone; the QR code needs high contrast to be read correctly.

FAQ

Can I transfer Google Authenticator if I lost my old phone?

If you didn't have cloud sync turned on and you don't have your old phone, you cannot use the transfer tool. You will need to use the "Backup Codes" provided by each individual service (like Gmail, Facebook, or Discord) when you first set up 2FA to regain access.

Do the codes on my old phone disappear after a transfer?

No, the codes remain on the old phone until you manually delete them. After you learn how to use google authenticator transfer, it is a good security practice to wipe the old app data if you plan on selling or giving away the device.

Will this work for moving codes from Android to iPhone?

Yes. The QR code export method is universal. You can scan the export code from an Android phone using an iPhone, and the accounts will migrate perfectly.

What happens if the QR code is too big for my screen?

If you have dozens of accounts, Google will split them into multiple QR codes. You simply scan the first one, tap "Next" on the old phone, and scan the subsequent ones until all accounts are moved.

Is it safe to take a screenshot of the transfer QR code?

It is not recommended. If someone gets access to that screenshot, they have all your 2FA keys. If you must save a backup, print it out and store the paper in a physical safe, then delete the digital file immediately.

Successfully moving your security settings doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Once you know how to use google authenticator transfer, you can swap phones with confidence, knowing you won't be locked out of your digital life. Just remember to keep that old phone handy until the very last code is confirmed on your new one.

How to Transfer Google Authenticator to a New Device

This video provides a clear, visual walkthrough of the 2026 export and import process, which is helpful if you want to see exactly how the QR code scanning looks in real-time.