Bitcoin Forum

Can you, and is it a good idea to print the 2FA QR code before you scan and add to your phone?

I am always concerned if your phone is lost you will not be able to access sites that 2FA has been activated.  A bit worrying if you have quite a large sum of money locked up and no way to access.

If you print prior to scanning you would have a copy of the QR code to add to a new phone.

You should always backup your 2FA code in some way, either the QR code or the alphanumeric code.

The process I use these days is to print the page showing the QR code and then scan the print with my phone to add it to my authenticator-app. This ensures that the print is good enough before I store it away.

Sure, why not? Print the QR code or write down the passcode. Either way, keep the printout safe and secure!

It is a good idea. Always have several back ups of your stuff.

qr barcode generator (http://www.keepdynamic.com/java-barcode/barcode/qr-code.shtml) for printing qr code image

Some people might not like Authy, but it gives me 2FA across multiple devices.  I feel a lot more secure knowing my 2FA is backed up. 

I don't like how when I sign into coinbase it automatically pops up on my phone. If a thief were to somehow get ahold of it, it's like having a guard dog say, "This way! the backdoors unlocked!"

Your right.  But still... my password for coinbase is known only to me and isn't stored on my computer.  I am worried about somehow a hacker getting it through malware or some other clever hacker attack I can't see.

If I didn't have 2FA, then my money would be gone, just like that.   

But with 2FA through Authy, they have to hack my password, and then physically steal my phone.  I might not know that my password is compromised, but I will definitely notice if my phone goes missing. 

I will admit, it is not a perfect system and if I had millions of dollars in bitcoin instead of a couple of thousand, I wouldn't use it.  But for as little as I have, I am can feel safe.

I've printed my wallet two times, One i keep hidden in the "piggy bank" and the other under my pc screen, also I have a a qr pic on my pc. You can never be too careful.

What if you took a screenshot from the PC and print it, am I wrong ?

Yes, thats what you should always do incase you lost your phone. Also email a copy to yourself.

Before I got Authy, I use to take a screen shot.  I would then encrypt the file with the picture in it and store it in multiple locations.  I had guessed that would work, but I didn't ever try it and so I can not confirm. 

Recently i have lost 2FA code on my poloniex exchange  :'(

It should be noted that this "paper copy" of you 2FA should be treated like a password.

Good question.I think it's a good idea to print the 2FA QR code (http://www.keepautomation.com/products/word_barcode/barcodes/qrcode.html) before you read the qrcode (http://www.keepautomation.com/products/net_barcode_reader/) and add it to your phone.
I think it's better to make our own back up by printing the displayed activation and QR codes on paper and keeping them safe.

It's good to have backups. I just got a new phone. I had some on Authy and some on google authenticator. The google authenticator ones were lost causing a lot of trouble with customer service. The Authy ones were on my new phone.

Whether you keep the security only in your hands with Google and paper backups, or in a third parties hands with Authy, it's important to have those back ups.

So do you prefer Authy over Gauth?