Getting a new phone when you have 2FA enabled across dozens of accounts is one of the most nerve-wracking parts of upgrading. Do it wrong and you could be locked out permanently. Do it right and the whole process takes about 20 minutes.
In This Guide
Step 1: Do This Before You Switch Phones
The most important thing is not to wipe or trade in your old phone until you've confirmed 2FA is working on the new one. Many people hand in their old phone at a carrier store before setting up their authenticator on the new device — this is how people get locked out.
Also, locate your backup codes for each important account before you start. These are the one-time codes you were given when you first set up 2FA. If you saved them, keep them accessible during the transfer process. If you don't have them, generate new ones from each account's security settings now, while you still have access.
Step 2: Transfer Your Authenticator App
How you transfer depends on which authenticator app you use. The two most common are Google Authenticator and Authy — and they work very differently.
Transferring Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator added an "Export accounts" feature that makes transferring straightforward. On your old phone, open Google Authenticator → tap the three-dot menu → Transfer accounts → Export accounts. Select all accounts and it generates a QR code. On your new phone, open Google Authenticator → Transfer accounts → Import accounts → scan the QR code from your old phone.
If you have Google Account sync enabled (added in 2023), your codes are automatically synced to your Google Account and will appear on the new phone when you sign in. See our full Google Authenticator transfer guide for step-by-step details.
Transferring Authy
Authy stores your codes in an encrypted cloud backup, so switching phones is easier. Install Authy on your new phone, sign in with the same phone number, and your codes will sync automatically after you enter your backup password. The key is having your backup password — if you've forgotten it, you'll need to use backup codes for each account.
Authy also has a "multi-device" feature that lets you keep both phones active during a transition, which is useful.
Step 3: Verify Before Wiping Your Old Phone
After the transfer, log out of one of your important accounts and log back in using the 2FA code from your new phone. Confirm it works. Then test 2-3 more accounts. Only once you've confirmed everything works should you proceed with wiping or trading in your old phone.
If something doesn't work — use your backup codes to access the account, then disable and re-enable 2FA from scratch on your new phone.
If You Already Switched and Are Locked Out
If you've already wiped your old phone and now can't access 2FA codes, you have a few options. Try your saved backup codes first — this is what they're for. If you don't have backup codes, use the account's recovery process: most services allow recovery via verified email address, trusted phone number, or identity verification. See our guide on what to do when locked out of a 2FA account.
For Google specifically, the account recovery process is thorough but can take 3-5 days to verify your identity. For crypto exchanges, recovery options are often more limited — contact support immediately.
Key Takeaways
Transfer your authenticator before wiping your old phone. Save backup codes before you start. Test on your new phone before completing the handover. If you use Authy, the process is largely automatic. If you use Google Authenticator, use the built-in export feature or enable Google sync.