Help with 2-Step Verification / Google Authenticator

[Appie34]

I'm updating all accounts for the best security. It is clear the Google Authenticator is very helpful.
I installed the app and it works very easy.

But what if my phone gets lost, stolen, broken etc.

I just have to log in on another device with the gmail account where I installed the app and then just download the app again?

I searched everywhere on Google, but this is not really clear to me.

Thanks!

[Fortify]

I'm not sure which country you are in, but you should be able to get the old sim card disabled and a new sim card with the same number attached to it. This should be fairly straight forward with contract phones, however unregistered pre-paid sim cards might be harder to replace with the same number.

[dothebeats]

Afaik, you would still be able to recover your accounts with Google Auth as long as you still have access to your Google account. You just need to change the device on where the authenticator is active to a new device you have. There's also something about backup codes that I've read though I'm also not certain on how does that work.

I'm not sure which country you are in, but you should be able to get the old sim card disabled and a new sim card with the same number attached to it. This should be fairly straight forward with contract phones, however unregistered pre-paid sim cards might be harder to replace with the same number.

Google auth and other 2FA apps are completely independent on SIM-based 2FAs so I'm not sure how would that help also if OP has G Auth and Authy installed.

[Appie34]

Afaik, you would still be able to recover your accounts with Google Auth as long as you still have access to your Google account. You just need to change the device on where the authenticator is active to a new device you have. There's also something about backup codes that I've read though I'm also not certain on how does that work.

I'm not sure which country you are in, but you should be able to get the old sim card disabled and a new sim card with the same number attached to it. This should be fairly straight forward with contract phones, however unregistered pre-paid sim cards might be harder to replace with the same number.

Google auth and other 2FA apps are completely independent on SIM-based 2FAs so I'm not sure how would that help also if OP has G Auth and Authy installed.

Thanks for your reply. Then it looks easier as expected. I was very confused about this because I have multiple Google accounts (e-mails) at my phone and I just cannot see which account is primary / does have the Auth application installed.

[TryNinja]

I'm updating all accounts for the best security. It is clear the Google Authenticator is very helpful.
I installed the app and it works very easy.

But what if my phone gets lost, stolen, broken etc.

I just have to log in on another device with the gmail account where I installed the app and then just download the app again?

I searched everywhere on Google, but this is not really clear to me.

Thanks!

The Google Authenticator app is device-based. This means that if you lose your device, you will lose all your 2FA accounts.

So, what are the solutions for that:

1. If you device is rooted, you can use Titanium Backup to make a copy of your whole app + data files. You can save the file anywhere and restore your 2FA accounts in a new phone with that file.

2. Save your 2FA secret code before activating it on any website. When you want to activate 2FA in any website, they will probably give you a QR code that is readen by your phone camera to activate the 2FA. Just save this QR code anywhere to be able to import the same 2FA in a new phone.

3. Use other 2FA app that allows you to make backups. I myself, am using Authenticator Plus (a paid version) to store my 2FA tokens.

[Appie34]

I'm updating all accounts for the best security. It is clear the Google Authenticator is very helpful.
I installed the app and it works very easy.

But what if my phone gets lost, stolen, broken etc.

I just have to log in on another device with the gmail account where I installed the app and then just download the app again?

I searched everywhere on Google, but this is not really clear to me.

Thanks!

3. Use other 2FA app that allows you to make backups. I myself, am using Authenticator Plus (a paid version) to store my 2FA tokens.

This one looks very nice and really worth the money... Thanks!

[coinspam]

Personally I think Authy is better as I was also worried what would happen if I lost my phone with Google Authenticator on it.