Authenticator apps¶
You probably use two-factor authentication (2FA) or multifactor authentication (MFA) for many of your accounts. You should. It's a good security practice. But what happens when you can no longer access your 2FA app?
Google Authenticator¶
There are two ways to recovery lost authentication codes:
- Use the QR code generated by doing an export. Obviously, this has to be done while one still has access to the old authenticator app.
- Use the original site-specific QR codes to configure the new authenticator (assuming you saved them).
If you can’t restore the authenticator, then you’ll have to attempt account recovery of each of the configured accounts. If you saved the site-specific backup codes this will be no problem. If you didn’t, you’ll have to contact the site about their account recovery process when the authenticator has been lost.
If the site does not provide a method of recovery when the authenticator is gone, then the account is lost. Finally, the Google authenticator will be adding Google account syncing soon.
Microsoft Authenticator¶
On your mobile device, open Authenticator, and select Begin recovery.
Important: Select the Begin Recovery link before signing in.
Sign in to your recovery account using the personal Microsoft account you used during the backup process. Your account credentials are recovered to the new device.
Lastpass Authenticator¶
If you use the LastPass Authenticator app as a multifactor option to protect your LastPass vault, you can choose to migrate your multifactor accounts to a new phone (using cloud backup and restore).
Alternatively, you can move your TOTP (time-based one-time password) accounts using QR code scanning.