Have you recently bought or are about to buy a new phone? Then you know what to expect: the major migration of all apps that are on your old smartphone. One of those applications should be Google Authenticator, an app for the all-important two-step verification. If you're not quite sure how to transfer the app's data from one phone to another, read on.
For the migration to be successful, we need both the app on your new phone and a computer. So make sure that you are also behind a computer during the transfer. Install the Google Authenticator app on your new phone (Android or iOS), then go to your Google account on a computer. Log in with your personal details and go to the section on the left in the menu Security. On this page you can see the heading Sign in to Google to stand. Below you will find Two-step verification. On that page is the heading Authenticator App, with below, in blue Change phone.
Google Authenticator: Change Phone
If you clicked on the link, the website will walk you through the process step by step. First you will be asked whether you are using an iPhone or Android. A QR code will then appear. Now open the application on your new smartphone and press the barcode scan button. First you have to give access to your phone's camera, but after that you can scan the code. A six-digit code will now appear on the screen. You have to fill it in on the Google page.
A child can do the laundry! You are basically done now. However, this only applies to your Google account. If you also use the Google Authenticator application for other services and websites (something we recommend), you will need to disable and reset two-step verification for each service. You can only use your new phone as long as the option is disabled first, otherwise it will fall back to your old smartphone. So if you plan to remove the app on your old smartphone, only do so once you've added the service on your new phone.
