With cyber threats on the rise and digital accounts becoming increasingly valuable, two-factor authentication (2FA) is essential for most people today. Google Authenticator and Authy are two popular apps that help secure accounts by generating time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs). But if you’re switching from Google Authenticator to Authy, ensuring the safe transfer of your 2FA secrets is critical. Poor handling could lead to being locked out of your accounts—with no easy recovery path.
TLDR: Switching from Google Authenticator to Authy?
When migrating to Authy, your priority should be to securely export and re-register your two-factor authentication (2FA) secrets. Google Authenticator doesn’t offer true backups, while Authy does, making it a more robust option for long-term reliability. Use manual methods to transfer each 2FA entry and enable multi-device sync. Always store backup codes or QR secrets safely for account recovery.
Why Consider Moving from Google Authenticator to Authy?
Google Authenticator has become widely used because of its simplicity and security. However, it lacks some important modern features that users often need:
- No Cloud Backup: If you lose your phone, all your 2FA credentials disappear.
- No Multi-Device Sync: You can’t access your tokens from more than one device.
Authy solves those issues by offering encrypted cloud backups and support for multiple devices. This makes it an ideal tool for users looking for greater flexibility and peace of mind.
Understanding Authenticator Secrets
Each 2FA-enabled account uses a secret key to generate time-based one-time passwords. This key is what gets turned into a QR code when you’re first setting up an account for two-step verification. If someone obtains that secret, they can generate 2FA codes just like you—so its security is paramount.
When transferring accounts from Google Authenticator to Authy, you’re essentially transferring these secrets.
Step-by-Step: Migrating from Google Authenticator to Authy
Unfortunately, there is no direct export/import function available between Google Authenticator and Authy. You’ll need to manually reconfigure each account. Here are the steps to do it securely:
1. Prepare for the Migration
- Install Authy: Download Authy on your device and follow the setup instructions using your phone number and an email address.
- Enable Backups: In Authy, turn on encrypted backups and set a strong backup password. This ensures you can recover your 2FA tokens later.
- List Your Accounts: Go through Google Authenticator and note down all accounts currently configured. Take your time.
2. Secure Every Account Before Transfer
Go to each account that uses 2FA (e.g., Gmail, Dropbox, Coinbase) and:
- Log into the web interface (desktop preferred).
- Navigate to the 2FA settings or security settings.
- Choose the option to “Change” or “Reset” your authenticator app.
- Scan the displayed QR code using Authy instead of Google Authenticator.
After verifying the new token from Authy works, you can safely remove the old entry from Google Authenticator.
3. Take This Time to Back Up Recovery Codes
While resetting 2FA for each site, you’ll likely be given emergency backup codes. These are vital for account recovery if your Authy app is ever compromised or inaccessible.
Store these somewhere safe:
- Use a reputable password manager.
- Write them down and store in a secure location.
4. Tidy Up and Verify
After you’ve configured every account in Authy:
- Test login for all major accounts to ensure the new token is functioning.
- Delete entries in Google Authenticator to avoid confusion or duplication.
How Authy’s Backups Work
Once you’ve moved to Authy, you gain access to one of its major strengths: encrypted backups stored in the cloud. These backups are protected by a password only you know. Even Authy developers can’t read your tokens.
If you change phones or lose access to a device, you can reinstall Authy, verify your phone number, input your backup password, and continue using your 2FA tokens—no reset with each provider necessary.
Things to Remember During Migration
Migrating may sound straightforward—but there are pitfalls. Here are essential reminders:
- Never screenshot or share QR codes publicly.
- Enable multi-device support in Authy’s settings to allow setup on tablets, secondary phones, or desktop apps.
- Always confirm that your Authy token works before disabling your old authenticator setup.
- Don’t rush. Migration is delicate and requires careful attention to each account.
What If I Can’t Reset the 2FA for an Account?
Some sites don’t make it easy—or even possible—to change your authenticator without verifying a current token. If this applies to one of your accounts and you’ve already lost access to your Google Authenticator app, you may need to take extra steps:
- Use encrypted backup codes (if you’ve saved them)
- Contact customer support and verify identity manually
- Restore Google Authenticator using a device backup (if available)
That’s why it’s critical to back up your secrets or codes before making any changes.
Alternatives and Tools That Might Help
There are some third-party tools you can use to retrieve QR code secrets if you have access to a recent Android or iOS backup. For example, rooted Android phones may allow access to the app’s database—but these are not trivial methods and pose various security risks.
Our advice: Use this migration as an opportunity to re-secure and better organize your 2FA credentials, not just replicate the old setup.
Final Thoughts
Moving from Google Authenticator to Authy can feel intimidating, but with the right approach it becomes a straightforward process that ultimately improves your account security and usability. The most important takeaway is this: Don’t lose your 2FA data. Treat these secrets like your digital house keys.
With Authy, you get encrypted backups, recovery options, and multi-device access—a huge win for users who value both convenience and strong security.
Take your time, document your steps, and secure your credentials. Your future self will thank you when your phone is lost, stolen, or simply upgraded—and all your accounts remain accessible and protected.