Get verification codes with Google Authenticator

If you set up 2-Step Verification, you can use the Google Authenticator app to receive codes. You can still receive codes without internet connection or mobile service. Learn more about 2-Step Verification.

App requirements

To use Google Authenticator on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, you need:

• The latest operating system for your device
• To turn on 2-Step Verification
• Optional for QR code: iPhone 3G and up

Download Google Authenticator

INSTALL GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR

Set up Google Authenticator

1. On your device, go to your Google Account.
2. At the top, in the navigation panel, select Security.
3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
4. Under "Add more second steps to verify it’s you," find "Authenticator app" and tap Set up.
5. Follow the on-screen steps.

Get Google Authenticator codes on a new phone

Transfer Authenticator codes to a new phone

You need:

• Your old iPhone with Authenticator codes
• The latest version of the Google Authenticator app installed on your old phone
• Your new phone

 

1. On your new phone, install the Google Authenticator app.
2. In the app, tap Get Started.
3. At the bottom, tap Import existing accounts?.
4. On your old iPhone, create a QR code:
   1. In the Authenticator app, tap More Export accounts Continue.
   2. Select the accounts you want to transfer to your new phone, then tap Export.
      • If you transfer multiple accounts, your old phone may create more than one QR code.
5. On your new phone, tap Scan QR code.
6. After you scan your QR codes, you get a confirmation that your Google Authenticator accounts  transferred. You can remove your exported accounts from your old phone. 

Tip: If your camera can’t scan the QR code, it may be that there’s too much info. Try to export again with fewer accounts.

Change which phone to send Authenticator codes

1. On your device, go to your Google Account.
2. At the top, in the navigation panel, select Security.
3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
4. Under "Available second steps," find "Authenticator app" and tap Change Phone.
5. Follow the on-screen steps.

 

Use Google Authenticator with multiple accounts or devices

Set up 2-Step Verification for multiple accounts

Google Authenticator can issue codes for multiple accounts from the same mobile device. Each Google Account needs a different secret key.

To set up extra accounts:

1. Turn on 2-Step Verification for each account. Learn more about 2-Step Verification.
2. Use the same Google Authenticator app.

Set up Google Authenticator on multiple devices

To generate verification codes from more than one device:

1. On the devices you want to use, verify Google Authenticator is installed.
2. In your Google Account, go to the 2-Step Verification section.
3. If you already set up Google Authenticator for your account, remove that account from Authenticator.
   • Before you remove that account from Authenticator, make sure you have a backup. Learn more about backup codes.
4. To set up 2-Step Verification for the Authenticator app, follow the steps on screen. Use the same QR code or secret key on each of your devices. Learn more about 2-Step Verification.
5. To make sure it works correctly, confirm the verification codes on each device are the same.