Oct 6, 2021
Will restoring my phone include Google Authenticator codes?
Hello, I purchased a new iPhone. Before the purchase, I fully backed up the old iPhone through iTunes.
After purchase, I used the built-in Apple Quick Start to migrate content from old iPhone to new iPhone.
I did not realize that Google Authenticator codes were not included, and I reset old iPhone and gave it to my wife.
After some research, and this article, I realized I may be able to restore old iPhone to my previous backup and see the Google Authenticator functioning as it did, with all codes, prior to reset. That seems to be also noted here.
Can someone please confirm? If I restore my old iPhone, the same device, to a iPhone backup, will Google Authenticator function as it did at the time of backup (ie with all codes still in place).
This is a big issue online, with many people losing their codes believing the migration would contain them. I know the issue is my fault, but I am trying to correct it. This is a measure of great importance to me, so please any help is appreciated.
This question is locked and replying has been disabled.
Community content may not be verified or up-to-date. Learn more.
Last edited Oct 6, 2021
All Replies (6)
Personally, I doubt this, but if desperate you can give it a try. Don't use Apple myself, as well. Others may have ideas though.
And for future reference:- Transfer 2SV codes to a new phone (scroll down the page.) For that to work, you need access to both old and new phone. In Android, both phones need a minimum of Android 4.4 installed.
Can you let us know the outcome? May help others.
Last edited Oct 6, 2021
Oct 6, 2021
I transferred my 2Fa authentication app from my Iphone 11 Pro to my Iphone 13 Pro without knowing the data didn't transferred.. And I deleted everything on my Iphone 11 Pro.. So i can't get my codes back, I don't have backup codes and i have NO idea how to contact google to get these codes back. One of my code was for Call of Duty Mobile and i contact Activision about it which they replied to contact Google which its so hard to do because i can't do anything on how to do it.
Greetings,
Last edited Oct 6, 2021
If Google Authenticator was for third party access, you need to reset all of those third party accounts; discuss with the third party people. Google can't help. Google do not have a copy of the codes, as that information is only generated locally on your device, on an "on demand" basis, and thus cannot be synced to the Google servers.
You will also have to install Authenticator again in your device. Some people suggest a Cloud based 2SV system, such as Authy to overcome these problems. Other similar apps out there as well; you can find them doing a Google search. (Of course, you need Internet access for these internet based apps to work; Google Authenticator codes do not need Internet access).
Are you aware the backup codes you need for such an emergency if it relates to your Google account? https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1187538?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en Hopefully you did print these out? (These codes will not work with third party apps or devices.)
And for future reference:- Transfer 2SV codes to a new phone (scroll down the page.) For that to work, you need access to both old and new phone. In Android, both phones need a minimum of Android 4.4 installed.
Oct 8, 2021
*You must use the original device that created the backup, not a new device*
So if you are in the case I was in, with a new device, and you still have (or can track down) the old device - be sure to:
-first backup OG device on a different computer's iTunes (so you can return it to whoever is currently using it)
-sign out of Apple ID and factory reset OG device
-remove sim card
-plug in OG device to your iTunes
-restore from backup (then sign back in to your Apple ID, allow all apps and everything to resync before touching anything!)
-find Google Authenticator codes are there, move them to NEW device by using their Export feature (screenshot or print this QR in case of accidents!)
-once confirmed and codes are migrated, sign out and factory reset OG device again
-reinstall SIM
-restore OG device on the different computer's iTunes
I am making these instructions as CLEAR as possible because, Google:
you did a terrible job letting people know their Authenticator codes are this precious. There is NO precautionary page on the app, no instructional warning, no detection of Quick Start migration, no CRYSTAL CLEAR, absolutely visible warning that codes will be lost if you get a new device - and no FOOLPROOF way to ensure we can retrieve our codes. I understand the purpose of Authenticator but given that Apple's Quick Start makes it simple to transition to new devices YOU need to do a better job at warning people. A quick online search of this problem brings up plenty of people who lost their codes forever. Do something about this. In general, you need to do better with support on your products - relying on user generated help content does not cut it for one of the world's richest companies. Be better about it!
Also - Please ignore comments from reply guy with the android in this thread - if you still have the old iPhone, and any backup of the device, you can restore the old iPhone to that moment, and Authenticator codes should be present.
Last edited Oct 8, 2021
Thanks for letting us know.