Google Authenticator - Secure two-factor authentication

Google Authenticator increases security for your online accounts by implementing a two-step verification process during login. This involves entering a code generated by the app in addition to your password.

You can generate verification codes using Google Authenticator even without an internet or cellular connection

* Synchronize your authentication codes with your Google Account and across all your devices for easy access in case of phone loss.

* Automatically set up your Authenticator accounts using QR codes for accurate configuration.

* Manage multiple accounts effortlessly using the Authenticator app, eliminating the need to switch between different apps each time you log in.

* Option for both time-based and counter-based code generation according to your preferences.

* Easily transfer accounts between devices using a QR code for seamless transition.

* To use Google Authenticator with Google services, activate 2-Step Verification on your Google Account.

Use Google Authenticator without a Google Account

You can save your codes safely in your Google Account with Google Authenticator. This helps protect you from being locked out of your account when you change devices. However, you may instead choose to use Google Authenticator without these protections.

To use Google Authenticator without a Google Account:

When you first open the app, tap Use without an account.

If you already saved codes to your Google Account, at the top right corner of the home screen, tap your profile picture, then tap Use Authenticator without an account.

This action will remove codes from all of your Google Accounts and store them on your device. Codes will not be available on your other devices.

Transfer your Google Authenticator codes

When you sign in to your Google Account within Google Authenticator on a new device, your codes are automatically synced to this device.

If you use Google Authenticator without a Google Account, you can still manually transfer your codes to another device.

To manually transfer Authenticator codes to a new device, you need:

Your old device with Google Authenticator codes

The latest version of the Google Authenticator app installed on your old device

Your new device

Steps to manually transfer Authenticator codes to a new device:

On your new device, install the Google Authenticator app.

In the Google Authenticator app, tap Get Started.

Sign in to your Google Account.

On your old device, create a QR code:

In the Authenticator app, tap Menu   Transfer accounts  Export accounts.

You'll be asked to unlock your device.

Select the accounts you want to transfer to your new device.

Tap Next.

If you transfer more than one account, your old device may create more than one QR code.

On your new device, tap Scan QR code:

In the Authenticator app, tap Menu   Transfer accounts  Import accounts.

Scan the QR code created on the old device.

After you scan your QR code, you’ll get confirmation that your Authenticator codes have been transferred.

Use Authenticator with multiple Google Accounts

Authenticator can sync codes for multiple Google Accounts and display them from the same mobile device.

To set up Authenticator with multiple Google Accounts:

Set up Google Authenticator for your Google Account.

At the top right corner of the home screen, tap your profile picture or initials.

Tap Add another account.

Select the account you want to add, or sign in to a new Google Account.

When asked to start saving codes to the Google Account, tap Allow.

Edit your Google Authenticator codes

To edit your Authenticator code on Android, swipe left on any code to show the edit option. You can update the username for the code or change the associated Google Account where that code is saved.

Organize your Google Authenticator codes

To organize your Authenticator codes, touch and hold any code, then drag to reorder to a desired location.

You can also use the search bar to find the code you need. To search through your Google Authenticator codes, enter any text matching the username to find the code.

Delete your Google Authenticator codes

To delete an Authenticator code on Android, swipe right on any code to show the delete option.

You’ll be asked to confirm deletion. If you’ve synced your Authenticator codes to your Google Account, they’ll also be deleted from all devices where your codes are synced.

If you sync your Authenticator codes to your Google Account and want to delete all of your codes from your Google Account, you can delete the Google Authenticator service.

When you delete the Google Authenticator service:

Your Authenticator codes are deleted from your Google Account.

Your Authenticator codes will not be available on any of your devices.

Your entire Google Account won’t be deleted.

Permission Required:

Camera Access: Necessary to add accounts through QR codes.