How to Transfer Your 2FA Codes to a New Phone

Got a new phone? Here's how to move your 2FA codes over, whatever app you use.

The short version

Use your authenticator app's built-in transfer or export feature before you wipe your old phone. If your app has encrypted sync, your codes are already on your new device.

Step 1: Find your app

AppBuilt-in transfer?Cloud sync?
Google Authenticator✅ QR code✅ Google Account (not E2EE)
Microsoft Authenticator✅ Backup & restore✅ iCloud / Microsoft Account
Authy❌ No export✅ Authy cloud
Aegis✅ Export to file❌ Local only
2FAS✅ Export to file✅ Google Drive / iCloud
Bitwarden Authenticator✅ Export to file⚠️ Only via Bitwarden Password Manager
Ente Auth✅ Export + sync✅ End-to-end encrypted

Step 2: Transfer your codes

Google Authenticator

  1. Old phone: open the app, tap the three-dot menu, then Transfer accounts > Export accounts.
  2. Select your accounts and tap Next. A QR code appears.
  3. New phone: install the app, tap Import existing accounts > Scan QR code, and scan.

Note: There is a limit of 10 accounts per QR code. Repeat the steps if you have more accounts.

Microsoft Authenticator

  1. Old phone: enable iCloud Backup (iPhone) or Cloud Backup (Android) in Settings.
  2. New phone: install the app.
  3. Before signing in, tap Begin recovery and authenticate with your Microsoft Account.

Note: Work and school accounts won't restore. Re-add them via your organisation's security settings.

Aegis

  1. Old phone: tap the three-dot menu, then Import & Export > Export.
  2. Choose Encrypted and save the file.
  3. Move the file to your new phone (AirDrop, cable, or cloud drive).
  4. New phone: install Aegis, then Import & Export > Import and select the file.

2FAS

  1. Old phone: Settings > Backup > Export. Save the file.
  2. New phone: Settings > Backup > Import and select the file.

If you use Google Drive or iCloud sync, sign in on your new phone and codes will appear.

Bitwarden Authenticator

If linked to Bitwarden Password Manager, sign in on your new phone and codes will sync back.

Standalone (no Bitwarden account):

  1. Old phone: Settings > Export. Set a password and save the file.
  2. Move the file to your new phone.
  3. New phone: install Bitwarden Authenticator, then Settings > Import. Enter your password.

Note: Standalone has no automatic sync. Always export before switching.

Ente Auth

Signed in with an Ente account? Install Ente Auth on your new phone, sign in, and your codes are there.

Local-only mode: Settings > Export, move the file, then import on your new phone.

Step 3: Test before wiping anything

Log in to at least three accounts to confirm codes work. Don't wipe your old phone until you've verified the new one.

Step 4: Already wiped your old phone?

  • Google Authenticator (sync on): Sign in with your Google Account.
  • Microsoft Authenticator (backup on): Restore from backup during setup.
  • Bitwarden Authenticator (with account): Sign in to Bitwarden.
  • Aegis, 2FAS, or standalone Bitwarden: No backup means resetting 2FA account by account. Log in with backup codes, then re-enable 2FA on your new phone.
  • Ente Auth (with account): Sign in. Done.

The real fix: pick an app that handles this automatically

Most phone-switch headaches come from apps without proper sync. Ente Auth is free, open source, and keeps your codes end-to-end encrypted across every device. Your next phone switch takes thirty seconds.

Try Ente Auth