(2FA) Two Factor Authentication question

[coinsgod]

There are a few wallets & exchanges that have (2FA) Two Factor Authentication. If you are using Google Authenticator and change phones or lose your phone, what happens then? Since you are scanning the QR code initially with that Google Authenticator app, isn't it linked to that phone only?

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[pooya87]

those QR codes are a string that you can also backup. either print them or if the site gives you the code separately, write down that code. it is like cold storage for your 2FA code. you should do it before scanning and closing the window. then if something happened (losing phone,...) you can just install the app again and scan the printed QR or type in the code you wrote down.

if you haven't done it before, then you need to make a backup now.
i found these links that may be helpful:
https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/63252/how-do-i-back-up-google-authenticator
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-move-google-authenticator-to-a-new-device/
https://www.howtogeek.com/130755/how-to-move-your-google-authenticator-credentials-to-a-new-android-phone-or-tablet/

[HabBear]

Apps follow the account, not the phone. You have a mobile phone with a 2FA app, the app is saved to your account, if you have to replace your phone your the app will follow when you upload your account data to the new phone.

If you use a phone that doesn't offer back ups of your data, you could be at risk.

[coinsgod]

those QR codes are a string that you can also backup. either print them or if the site gives you the code separately, write down that code. it is like cold storage for your 2FA code. you should do it before scanning and closing the window. then if something happened (losing phone,...) you can just install the app again and scan the printed QR or type in the code you wrote down.

if you haven't done it before, then you need to make a backup now.
i found these links that may be helpful:
https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/63252/how-do-i-back-up-google-authenticator

From that link it looks like Authy is a better choice over Google Authenticator. I don't have a rooted Android phone and with Authy you can have it synced on multiple devices solving the issue if your phone is lost or stolen. Anyone else use & recommend Authy?

[uraharasan]

Apps follow the account, not the phone. You have a mobile phone with a 2FA app, the app is saved to your account, if you have to replace your phone your the app will follow when you upload your account data to the new phone.

If you use a phone that doesn't offer back ups of your data, you could be at risk.

Whether google 2fa can be used by two phones simultaneously? Because I've experienced a bootloop that caused the loss of all data on my phone including 2fa google

[Svelto]

Apps follow the account, not the phone. You have a mobile phone with a 2FA app, the app is saved to your account, if you have to replace your phone your the app will follow when you upload your account data to the new phone.

If you use a phone that doesn't offer back ups of your data, you could be at risk.

Whether google 2fa can be used by two phones simultaneously? Because I've experienced a bootloop that caused the loss of all data on my phone including 2fa google

Interested to know too. Is it possible for me to login to google 2fa using gmail account?

[HeroC]

Apps follow the account, not the phone. You have a mobile phone with a 2FA app, the app is saved to your account, if you have to replace your phone your the app will follow when you upload your account data to the new phone.

If you use a phone that doesn't offer back ups of your data, you could be at risk.

This isn't always true. Google Authenticator does NOT BACKUP YOUR KEYS. If you loose your phone and don't have a backup of the private keys or the app's data, your accounts are lost. The only way to get them back is to recover your phone, or hope that the customer service can help unlock the account.

[escrow.ms]

Use Authy for 2FA and make sure to keep a backup on their server. It can be used on multiple devices if you want and in case if you lost your mobile phone, you will only need your mobile number to recover 2FA codes.

[coinsgod]

Use Authy for 2FA and make sure to keep a backup on their server. It can be used on multiple devices if you want and in case if you lost your mobile phone, you will only need your mobile number to recover 2FA codes.

With Authy can you use your email address to recover the codes or just with your mobile number?

[escrow.ms]

Use Authy for 2FA and make sure to keep a backup on their server. It can be used on multiple devices if you want and in case if you lost your mobile phone, you will only need your mobile number to recover 2FA codes.

With Authy can you use your email address to recover the codes or just with your mobile number?

Normally both are required for security,but i case you lost your phone and you can't get your mobile number back, you can contact support and you will be able to change your mobile number.
https://support.authy.com/hc/en-us/articles/234707947

[HabBear]

Apps follow the account, not the phone. You have a mobile phone with a 2FA app, the app is saved to your account, if you have to replace your phone your the app will follow when you upload your account data to the new phone.

If you use a phone that doesn't offer back ups of your data, you could be at risk.

Whether google 2fa can be used by two phones simultaneously? Because I've experienced a bootloop that caused the loss of all data on my phone including 2fa google

Why would you want to? You'd compromise the integrity of the single point of contact authentication. If you encounter a technical issue you have to load your account data onto a new phone. You don't lose all you application data when it's been saved to the cloud.

This isn't always true. Google Authenticator does NOT BACKUP YOUR KEYS. If you loose your phone and don't have a backup of the private keys or the app's data, your accounts are lost. The only way to get them back is to recover your phone, or hope that the customer service can help unlock the account.

I don't think you understand what I'm suggesting or how 2 factor authentication works.

2FA doesn't interact with your private keys. 2FA provides an additional, always changing password that you must enter at the point of log in. There's only one location where the ever changing password can be retrieved - your phone or other device. If you have an account-based mobile service (not a pre paid phone) then you have the ability to save your phone's applications regularly to the cloud. If your phone dies you upload your account replication from the cloud and "voila" your 2FA authenticator app is back in your hands.

This has nothing to do with private keys or bitcoin.