Other PSA: when setting up a new iPhone device-to-device, transfer/export your Authenticator app info BEFORE erasing old iPhone!

[anthonymoody]

Maybe this is common sense or common knowledge. But it was something I didn't think through. Got my 13, set it up via direct transfer from my 12, and erased my 12. Needed to log into a couple of sites/apps using 2FA via Google Authenticator but the accounts within Authenticator did not transfer as part of the automatic Apple process.

Oops.

Fortunately, I had various one-time keys/back-up codes and such for each of the sites in question, and was able to set up the accounts on the 13. But NGL my heart was racing there for a bit. In the process learned that Google Authenticator has an export/transfer function built right in. Of course if you've already erased your old phone then that's not all that helpful 😂.

Maybe I'm the dope, but thought this might save someone the heartache.

 

[Banglazed]

I used iCloud backup and recovery account to help resync the accounts in Authenticator. I did had to log in to 2 accounts to verify the password. I recommend setting it up in the settings of the app.

 

[anthonymoody]

I recommend setting it up in the settings of the app.

I guess I could’ve done an iCloud recovery too. I guess I assumed that if the info didn’t transfer device to device that it wouldn’t via the cloud either.

But what do you mean about setting it up in the settings of the app?

 

[BSoares]

Been there before. Now I know to do it before erasing the old phone. A lot of apps (but not all) allow you to have 2 different devices with Authenticator installed so I added those to my iPad as a backup way in.

 

[Godzilla71]

I didn't think about this either until I saw your thread. The main one I use is the Microsoft one for the Xbox site mainly. Luckily I was able to get the app set up again and it seems to be working like normal. My bank and a few other apps logged me in with no probs at all after the phone to phone transfer. thanks for the heads up

 

[anthonymoody]

Been there before. Now I know to do it before erasing the old phone. A lot of apps (but not all) allow you to have 2 different devices with Authenticator installed so I added those to my iPad as a backup way in.

Good to know. Maybe I’ll put it on my ipad too…

 

[MisterSavage]

FYI, with iOS 15 you can save 2FA codes with iCloud keychain. That would cover this scenario.

 

[Banglazed]

I guess I could’ve done an iCloud recovery too. I guess I assumed that if the info didn’t transfer device to device that it wouldn’t via the cloud either.

But what do you mean about setting it up in the settings of the app?

Tap on the 3 bar lines on the left of “Authenticator” to access menus and settings. In settings, you’ll see a section for backup.

Once you set it up, you can just log in on device using recovery account.

 

[schlepprock250]

So I just posted a question asking about this type of thing. Setting up my wifes iPhone 13PM 256g. She has her iPhone XS max backed up to the Verizon cloud (photos for sure but not sure what else).
Being an Android guy I have no idea what this thread is telling me lol.
So can someone please dumb it down for someone who's not ios savvy?? Thanks

 

[Guacamole]

I'm lost with this too. I transferred from my old phone to the new but the login credentials didn't transfer. Luckily I didn't erase my old phone so I can still login with that phone.
the new phone only shows my work email account under Azure account but nothing about my company's name

I don't see the option to transfer/export

is it too late now to back up from my old phone to iCloud? will it mess up anything else. I can't lose my access from my old phone in case with the nee one doesn't work
I'm working from home , I asked the IT guy at work but he didn't answer me

 

[Banglazed]

I'm lost with this too. I transferred from my old phone to the new but the login credentials didn't transfer. Luckily I didn't erase my old phone so I can still login with that phone.
the new phone only shows my work email account under Azure account but nothing about my company's name

I don't see the option to transfer/export

is it too late now to back up from my old phone to iCloud? will it mess up anything else. I can't lose my access from my old phone in case with the nee one doesn't work
I'm working from home , I asked the IT guy at work but he didn't answer me

On your old phone, launch Authenticator, tap the 3 lines left of "Authenticator", go into settings and set a recovery email and sync to iCloud under backup.

On new iPhone, check the Authenticator app to see if it sync over. If not, tap the password section at the bottom middle tab and select an account to sync to/from and make sure it's the recovery email.

 

[kanshu]

I had Authy and BattleNet authenticators and it transferred device to device just fine. But I also have saved the backup numbers from those apps in cases like this.

 

[Wreckus]

MS Authenticator didn’t transfer over from my old iPhone to my iPhone 13 pro yesterday, which didn’t make me happy. But I think one issue was going passwordless (which MS recommended).

but yea, have a good backup plan.

Using 1Password saved my butt big time. But really considering using Authy for all my 2 factor authentications since it is free. However, a bit nervous giving my phone number to create an account though.

 

[BSoares]

I'm lost with this too. I transferred from my old phone to the new but the login credentials didn't transfer. Luckily I didn't erase my old phone so I can still login with that phone.
the new phone only shows my work email account under Azure account but nothing about my company's name

I don't see the option to transfer/export

is it too late now to back up from my old phone to iCloud? will it mess up anything else. I can't lose my access from my old phone in case with the nee one doesn't work
I'm working from home , I asked the IT guy at work but he didn't answer me

Depending on the policies used by your IT, you won’t be able to backup and restore your entry for Azure but as long as the old one is still working, it’s easy to add one more, you can have up to 5 with Azure. Go to aka.ms/mfasetup and login, you’ll need to verify it’s you via the old phone’s token. Then follow the wizard to add the new one and if you want, delete the old one when you’re done.

 

[BeatCrazy]

MS Authenticator didn’t transfer over from my old iPhone to my iPhone 13 pro yesterday, which didn’t make me happy. But I think one issue was going passwordless (which MS recommended).

but yea, have a good backup plan.

Using 1Password saved my butt big time. But really considering using Authy for all my 2 factor authentications since it is free. However, a bit nervous giving my phone number to create an account though.

This happened to me too, and caused a big headache. I also went passwordless last week for Microsoft.

I read all the posts in this thread, yet I still don't understand how to prevent this in the future - specifically for Microsoft Authenticator.

 

[Wreckus]

This happened to me too, and caused a big headache. I also went passwordless last week for Microsoft.

I read all the posts in this thread, yet I still don't understand how to prevent this in the future - specifically for Microsoft Authenticator.

Not sure either as putting the authenticator on my tablet didn't work as I don't see my 1password code that I put on the MS authenticator on my new iPhone yesterday, and I have backup enabled. Also, still waiting on feedback concerning authy as I don't want to give them my phone number to create an account and get a crap ton of spam calls afterwards.

 

[raab]

Authy is owned by Twilio

I've been using Authy for~8 years and I've not had any spam calls or messages

 

[Wreckus]

Authy is owned by Twilio

I've been using Authy for~8 years and I've not had any spam calls or messages

Great to hear and thank you very much. Looks like I have a project this weekend..either move from 1password to authy for 2 factor or make authy a backup of 1password (if possible) for 2 factor authentication.

 

[raab]

Yeah I use a combo of both Authy and 1password, for sites I don't care about I'll use 1password for 2fa + setup the same site in Authy

I don't really like the idea of having passwords + 2fa in the same location (1password) as if your 1password ever got compromised then they can logon easily to a 2fa enabled account

 

[Wreckus]

Yeah I use a combo of both Authy and 1password, for sites I don't care about I'll use 1password for 2fa + setup the same site in Authy

I don't really like the idea of having passwords + 2fa in the same location (1password) as if your 1password ever got compromised then they can logon easily to a 2fa enabled account

Yup. Besides, if it wasn't for a handy feature in the 1password app in windows, I would've lost access to my 1password account because of the MS authenticator screwup (probably my fault) when moving to my new phone.

Thank you very much for the replies.

 

[MisterSavage]

BTW, you should always have an alternate method of logging in if something catastrophic happens and you can't get your 2FA code via your primary method. Some sites have one-time-use backup codes, some sites let you enter an alternate phone number, etc.

 

[Wreckus]

BTW, you should always have an alternate method of logging in if something catastrophic happens and you can't get your 2FA code via your primary method. Some sites have one-time-use backup codes, some sites let you enter an alternate phone number, etc.

I know but nevertheless a good reminder for everyone. 👍

 

[BeatCrazy]

BTW, you should always have an alternate method of logging in if something catastrophic happens and you can't get your 2FA code via your primary method. Some sites have one-time-use backup codes, some sites let you enter an alternate phone number, etc.

Of course, but if you go “passwordless” with Microsoft, the only option is to use their Authenticator app.

I think I’ve (now) set up the Authenticator app to use iCloud backup, so maybe I found the solution. Not too confident, though.

 

[Wreckus]

Of course, but if you go “passwordless” with Microsoft, the only option is to use their Authenticator app.

I think I’ve (now) set up the Authenticator app to use iCloud backup, so maybe I found the solution. Not too confident, though.

I thought I had icloud backup enabled on my iphone 11 before I traded it in as well. Imagine the default setting is set to on.

Either I didn't or that icloud backup setting doesn't work. Regardless I hope it works for you. But I think i'm not going back to passwordless on my MS account for a bit.

 

[deeddawg]

MS Authenticator didn’t transfer over from my old iPhone to my iPhone 13 pro yesterday, which didn’t make me happy. But I think one issue was going passwordless (which MS recommended).

but yea, have a good backup plan.

Using 1Password saved my butt big time. But really considering using Authy for all my 2 factor authentications since it is free. However, a bit nervous giving my phone number to create an account though.

Any reason you can’t use a Google Voice number?