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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteYes—but whether your codes sync continuously, can be copied manually, or can only be restored when you replace a phone depends on the authenticator app and account type. Google Authenticator supports Google Account sync and manual QR-code transfer. Microsoft Authenticator supports backup and restore for a new phone, with same-device-type limits and extra sign-in steps for some accounts. Keep your old phone until you have tested your important sign-ins on the new one.
What “using an authenticator on multiple devices” can mean
These options are not interchangeable:
- Sync: Codes are associated with an account and become available on another device when you sign in.
- Manual transfer: You copy codes from one device to another, often by scanning an export QR code.
- Backup and restore: You save account data for recovery on a replacement device. This does not necessarily mean the codes are mirrored continuously across devices.
Check how the specific app handles your account type before relying on a second device. A restored account may also require you to sign in or set it up again.
Google Authenticator: sync or transfer codes
Sync with a Google Account
Google says codes saved to a Google Account sync automatically and are available on a new device after you sign in to that account in Google Authenticator. If you choose to use the app without a Google Account, the codes stay on that device until you transfer them manually. Choosing “Use Authenticator without an account” removes synced codes from Google Accounts and stores them on the device instead. Deleting a synced code removes it from all devices where it is synced. Google’s instructions reviewed here are for iPhone and iPad; check the current Android app screens for platform-specific steps.
Transfer codes with QR codes
Google’s manual transfer process uses the old phone to export codes as QR codes, which the new phone scans to import them. You need access to the old device and the current app to complete the documented transfer. If you have many accounts, the export may produce multiple QR codes.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Microsoft Authenticator: backup and restore limits
Restore only to the same device type
Microsoft says an iOS backup cannot be restored to Android, or vice versa. An Android backup uses a Microsoft personal account under the current support guidance. An iOS backup requires iCloud Drive, iCloud Keychain, iCloud Backup, and Authenticator enabled under Saved to iCloud. See Microsoft’s backup instructions for the current setup details.
What account data comes back
Restoration depends on the account:
- Third-party accounts that use one-time passwords, such as Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail, can have their code entry restored.
- Personal Microsoft accounts using only one-time passwords can have their code entry restored.
- Personal Microsoft accounts using passwordless sign-in restore only the account name; you must sign in again.
- Work or school accounts restore only the account name; you must sign in again and may need to complete setup under your organization’s policy.
Passkeys are separate from Authenticator account backup and may need to be added to the new phone again. Microsoft also says its Android backup method will change starting January 2027: Microsoft personal accounts will no longer enable Android backup, and users will need to enable Authenticator through Google One backup. This is a future-dated change in Microsoft’s current support article; check it again when setting up a backup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 is a versatile physical passkey that protects your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 via USB and tap it to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
Move to a new phone without losing access
- On the old phone, enable the app’s sync or backup feature, or follow its documented transfer process.
- On the new phone, install the authenticator and sign in with the correct sync or recovery account if required. For Microsoft Authenticator, restore only to the same device type.
- Complete setup again where necessary. In particular, expect to sign in again for work or school accounts restored in Microsoft Authenticator.
- Test your important sign-ins on the new phone while the old one is still available. Microsoft’s transfer guidance says: “Keep your old phone until you confirm that you can sign in to the accounts and resources you use most often from the new phone.”
- Remove the old registration when appropriate. Adding Microsoft Authenticator to a new device does not automatically unregister the old one. If prompts still go to the old phone, delete the old app and remove or forget the device through your account security settings or your organization’s process, as described in Microsoft’s Authenticator FAQs.
- Keep other recovery options available. Google recommends enrolling in additional 2-Step Verification methods. A compatible security key can be an additional sign-in or recovery option, but it does not duplicate authenticator codes.
Choose the method that fits your situation
- Want codes available across devices? Google Authenticator offers Google Account sync; confirm that your codes are saved to the account rather than stored only on the device.
- Replacing a phone? Use the app’s supported transfer or restore method, then test accounts before erasing the old phone.
- Moving between iPhone and Android with Microsoft Authenticator? Its backup cannot be restored across those device types, so plan another sign-in or recovery method for accounts that need to be set up again.
- Using work or school accounts? Follow your organization’s setup and recovery process; administrator settings can affect available options.
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