Google Authenticator

Export Google Authenticator to Microsoft Authenticator

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Export Google Authenticator to Microsoft Authenticator

With the introduction of the Export Account option in the Google Authenticator app, moving the 2FA codes between devices has never been easier. There is one problem though, the Export Account works only between GA apps. I have tried the GA export feature with apps like Authy or 1Password. The transfer failed every time as the QR codes generated by the Google Authenticator Export feature are incompatible with other 2FA apps. I have finally found the solution to transfer them …

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What if I lose my phone with Google Authenticator on it?

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Laptop on the desk with Google Account Recovery option on the screen

Ok, so your phone was lost or stolen, and you had a Google Authenticator on it. It happened to me, so I am pretty familiar with the process. I had enough when I lost my phone with Google Authenticator on it. Then I discovered 1Password Password Manager, an excellent alternative to the Google Authenticator if you are currently searching for a good Password Manager. By the way, did you know that the 1Password has an Authenticator application built into it …

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Export Google Authenticator to Authy

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Export Google Authenticator to Authy.

If you have ever tried to export Google Authenticator to Authy, it may not surprise you that the QR codes generated by the Google Authenticator app when transferring accounts are not compatible with Authy. I have recently decided to test if exporting Google Authenticator to other 2FA applications is as simple as I thought. Unfortunately, the results were not what I was expecting. Most of the application, including Authy, has failed to scan the QR code generated by the Google …

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Export Google Authenticator to 1Password

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Export Google Authenticator to 1Password.

If you are familiar with 1Password, you probably know that the 1Password can generate 2FA TOTP codes used to protect your online accounts. You may also know that you can add 2FA codes to 1Password by either scanning the QR code displayed on the page or an image or manually typing the Secret Key. However, many people, including myself, kept using the Google Authenticator app to generate the Two-Factor Authentication TOTP codes either due to the lack of other options …

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Extract Secret Keys from Google Authenticator QR Code

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Extract Secret Keys from the Google Authenticator QR Codes.

If you are reading this article, I’m sure you are aware that the QR codes generated by the Google Authenticator app when transferring accounts are unreadable by other similar applications capable of generating the TOTP codes. For example, applications like Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, LastPass, or 1Password, to name a few, will return an error message when attempting to scan the QR code. The whole idea of extracting Secret Keys from Google Authenticator came about when I wanted to export my …

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Can I use Google Authenticator on Multiple Devices?

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White Smartphone and a tablet on the desk

Since May 7, 2020, you can use Google Authenticator on multiple devices without the need to scan the QR codes individually with your new phone during the initial setup of Two-Step Verification on your account. Google has introduced the portability of Google Authenticator 2SV codes across Android devices, allowing you to have Google Authenticator on two or more Android devices. This long-awaited feature simplifies the process of transferring Google Authenticator to the new phone. There is no longer a need …

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Backup Google Authenticator before Factory Reset

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Backup Google Authenticator before Factory Reset

Days where only contact details needed to be saved before making a factory reset of your phone are long gone. Today, the device in your pocket is a fully-fledged computer, and you should be prepared to make a backup of your device from time to time. Unfortunately, although you can easily back up all your pictures, videos, and other data either in the cloud or locally on your computer drive, that’s not the case with the Google Authenticator. I will …

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Is Authy better than Google Authenticator?

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Is Authy better than Google Authenticator?

Whether you chose Authy or Google Authenticator to generate your 2FA codes is entirely up to you. The important thing is that you have secured your accounts with 2FA and not only passwords. The difference between Authy and Google Authenticator lies in the number of features offered by each app. If you like minimalism, use Google Authenticator, but if you like multi-device support, full Backup of your 2FA codes, or three authentication types, use Authy. Authy offers modern design, optional …

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Transfer Google Authenticator 2FA codes to New Phone

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Transfer Google Authenticator app to a new phone.

Until not a long time ago, transferring your Google Authenticator 2FA codes to a new phone was a challenge. It required either visiting each account and rescanning the QR codes with your new phone or rooting your device, risking losing the warranty. The option to transfer Google Authenticator codes to a new phone was a highly anticipated update, and it is not hard to see why. It becomes common to have 20, 30, or even more accounts in the Google …

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Yubico Authenticator vs Google Authenticator

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Yubico and Google Authenticator banner

The main difference between Google Authenticator and Yubico Authenticator lies in how both applications handle the secret keys used to generate time-based OTP codes. Google Authenticator application keeps the secret keys on your phone, generating the codes every time you open the application. Yubico Authenticator, on the other hand, reads the secret keys from the Yubikey inserted into your device or via NFC and only then displays the codes in the application. Comparison of Yubico and Google Authenticator Name Yubico …

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