2FA-Recovering your KYC Google Auth Keys.

[condoras]

I will share my personal experience that led to these easy and fast solutions for getting back your 2FA Google Auth keys/ codes, without the fuss of redoing any verification/ KYC procedure.

Last week my phone get damaged because of my stupidity to have it on me when I take a...swim! Yes, you understand correctly. I dive into the sea with my phone!!!
As you (probably) all know already, to fix it was out of the question due the seawater is salted(!) and the phone is oxidized in a matter of minutes. The only hope though was to make a chemical cleaning, change some capacitors, and... prey to open so I can save any data. I get lucky and my phone opened!
Along with a friend of mine (that has a repair store for mobile phones, tablets, etc) we manage to save everything, including my 2FA keys on Google Auth app. TBH I have them all handwritten, so we basically experiment to see if we can get them in the case that I didn't have them stored. Below are the two methods that can work for sure. If by any chance I found a new one or some other fellow member find one, I guess it will be nice to post it here so we can have them all in one thread.

Method 1: You download the Google Auth to your new phone, you open it and you go to app's "Menu" (the three vertical dots on the top right corner of your phone's screen).
You select "Account Transfer" and a message appears asking you if you want to "Export" your accounts (by creating a QR code which you will scan with your new phone) or to "Import" them (by scanning the QR from your previous phone). Doesn't matter if the camera of your old/ damaged phone doesn't work. You choose "Export accounts", scan the QR with your new phone and you are done.

IMPORTANT NOTE If your phone is lost or it can't be open after damage, this method is not possible. You need to have your old device working (at least the phone's screen).

Method 2: If you have a Google account (Gmail counts as one) you can log in and go to "Security settings".
You choose the "Authenticator App" tab and you to "Export" your accounts. A QR code will appear, you scan it with your new phone and done.

IMPORTANT NOTE You must have enabled earlier the "Two Step Verification" with Google Authenticator app and not with any other option (SMS, call, alternative mail address). If you don't have Google Authenticator app as your two-step security measure, then you can't proceed with this method.

I hope this thread will be useful and easy to understand from anyone around. Thank's and BTCe-safe.

Edit: Since I didn't find any way to bypass the Flag Secure setting and take screenshots, I post Cadaver20 pics for Method 1. At least until I have better...

Method 1 pics.

Step 1:
Download Google authenticator app, open the app in your new device.

Step 2: Open the app in your old device and go to the "Menu"(at the top right of the app).



Step 3: Select "Transfer accounts".



Step 4: Select "export accounts" in your old device.



Step 5: Then scan the QR with your new device.

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[Dragonfund]

Good, that you found out something incredible from your mistake but wouldn't it better and simpler if you add images to your procedures in method 1 and 2.
Thanks.

[witcher_sense]

Great guide, but I prefer using Aegis authentification app in which it is possible to encrypt your vault and make an encrypted back up on completely offline storage. Even if I lose my smartphone, I can easily transfer the data to a new one and, more importantly, no one can access my vault on lost device because it is protected with password.

No KYC, no google, no problems.

[condoras]

Good, that you found out something incredible from your mistake but wouldn't it better and simpler if you add images to your procedures in method 1 and 2.
Thanks.

You are right, images will be more helpful. I will add some in the near future, thank you for your suggestion.

Great guide, but I prefer using Aegis authentification app in which it is possible to encrypt your vault and make an encrypted back up on completely offline storage. Even if I lose my smartphone, I can easily transfer the data to a new one and, more importantly, no one can access my vault on lost device because it is protected with password.

No KYC, no google, no problems.

TBH, I didn't know about this app and as I see it (in a flash though) it looks like a good Authenticator app. Thank you for your suggestion!
Btw, I also don't like either Google or KYC so most likely I will make a change...

[ranochigo]

Google Auth is quite a pain in the ass to retrieve if something happens to your phone but it's a decent way to ensure security.

It's always a good idea to make a backup. When you set up your 2FA, the website/program will usually ask you to copy down a string of alphanumeric letters as a backup. You can easily import that if you need.

If you don't mind sacrificing a little security, try Authy. I'm not sure how their security fare against other services but you can recover your 2FA keys using your phone number. This is kind of risky though; SIM Jacking is quite common and you'll have to take care to use a more secure email to prevent them from resetting your Authy account. But even with that, the backups are secured with a password still.

[tranthidung]

I don't put my account and my destiny on export process. I'd like to back up my codes (before 2FA activation and test it immediately by typing codes manually to activate my 2FA). If my 2FA code's back up is correct, no typo, the 2FA activation will be done smoothly.

In case if 2FA activation is failed because of incorrect code. There are two reasons:

• I enter 6 digit codes incorrectly
• I write down 2FA secret code incorrectly so I have to go backwards and repeat those steps again.

By doing this, I simultaneously backup 2FA secret code and test the backup's validity immediately with 2FA activation.

When I was a newbie, I simply scanned QR code and 2FA activation was done like that. I don't back up or if I backup I don't test backup's validity.

[condoras]

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I agree with both of you in almost everything. Sure the best/ safest way is to be prepared to save the recovery keys from the time that you enable 2FA in any site and with any app.
In the case though that you don't because you forgot it or miss it, there is a way (two actually) not to "panic".

[yazher]

Great guide, but I prefer using Aegis authentification app in which it is possible to encrypt your vault and make an encrypted back up on completely offline storage. Even if I lose my smartphone, I can easily transfer the data to a new one and, more importantly, no one can access my vault on lost device because it is protected with password.

No KYC, no google, no problems.

Hey! I never thought there are some other Authentication apps you can use other than Google authenticator.  
I've been thinking sometimes what if I lose or damage my phone and all of my important data are supported by Google authenticator. From FB to exchange wallet. How do I supposed to recover it? Now that I found this one, I'll gotta try it. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Cadaver20]

Good, that you found out something incredible from your mistake but wouldn't it better and simpler if you add images to your procedures in method 1 and 2.
Thanks.

I want to clear you about method 1.
Step 1:
Download Google authenticator app, open the app in your new device.

Step 2: Open the app in your old device and go to the "Menu"(at the top right of the app).


Step 3:
Select "Transfer accounts".
https://ibb.co/BNsDmhK

Step 4:
Select "export accounts" in your old device.
https://ibb.co/VpbJvGN

Step 5:
Then scan the QR with your new device.
https://ibb.co/t80zjN8

[Heisenberg_Hunter]

Though Google 2FA is open source I would go either with Authy or LastPass. The latter one has a pretty good one tap push login options and the they have got some not bad reviews in playstore as well. While having 2FA is secure but they can be as bad as losing our funds if they aren't properly backed up as tranthidung said.

Managing some literally large bitcoin funds through mobile is quite risky and I wouldn't really trust either an exchange or an authenticator app with that.

[condoras]

I want to clear you about method 1.
Step 1:
Download Google authenticator app, open the app in your new device.

Step 2: Open the app in your old device and go to the "Menu"(at the top right of the app).


Step 3:
Select "Transfer accounts".
https://ibb.co/BNsDmhK

Step 4:
Select "export accounts" in your old device.
https://ibb.co/VpbJvGN

Step 5:
Then scan the QR with your new device.
https://ibb.co/t80zjN8

Yeap, that's it. Great man, thank's for the help!  
I will edit my OP and add them there if you don't mind...

[condoras]

Though Google 2FA is open source I would go either with Authy or LastPass.

I try Authy but it was a bit difficult to follow up with it. You know, some app's "works" for me but not for others and the opposite. Authy didn't work for me.

Managing some literally large bitcoin funds through mobile is quite risky and I wouldn't really trust either an exchange or an authenticator app with that.

Personally, I never have large amounts of BTC nowhere except my wallet. And as far as I know, doesn't need 2FA Auth...
It will be difficult to believe that companies who manage large sums will use mobile to do it.

[Cadaver20]

I will edit my OP and add them there if you don't mind...

Ok. You can do it.

[Heisenberg_Hunter]

Personally, I never have large amounts of BTC nowhere except my wallet. And as far as I know, doesn't need 2FA Auth...
It will be difficult to believe that companies who manage large sums will use mobile to do it.

There are people who store huge sums of bitcoin in Binance and other large exchanges for trading actively but the problem is that managing crypto exchanges through a smartphones is highly risky and this is what I have pointed out in my above post. I have also seen people in this forum who still don't own a computer and manage everything through their mobile alone. 

Though smartphones has become really handy nowadays and many of the global population still aren't owning a computer, managing our personal data through smartphones is literally a very bad idea. Not sure how people are managing them without losing it? Many of us would be aware of the recent Cashaa hack where 336 btc was stolen when they were controlling such kind of huge funds through a web wallet.  If we don't want our funds to be lost, we should be storing them in a offline cold storage/hardware wallet.

[tranthidung]

There are people who store huge sums of bitcoin in Binance and other large exchanges for trading actively but the problem is that managing crypto exchanges through a smartphones is highly risky and this is what I have pointed out in my above post. I have also seen people in this forum who still don't own a computer and manage everything through their mobile alone. 

Binance or any other exchanges, the matter is exchanges come and go, grown big and degrade small or disappear (shut down, scam exit, takeover, etc.). Another minus point is use one or two exchanges to store all capital is terrible approach. Exchanges can be hacked and who knows will they do compensations for customers. Exchange owners can do scam exits. Governments can shutdown exchanges. Many things you can not control for your capital that is stored on exchanges. It has not yet taken into consideration that most of exchanges are centralized.

Though smartphones has become really handy nowadays and many of the global population still aren't owning a computer, managing our personal data through smartphones is literally a very bad idea.

Smart phones or mobile devices are created for convenience, entertainments, and so on. For serious stuffs, do it on your desktops or laptops.

[condoras]

I will edit my OP and add them there if you don't mind...

Ok. You can do it.

Just edit the OP with the pics, thank you again.

If we don't want our funds to be lost, we should be storing them in a offline cold storage/hardware wallet.

Indeed the only way to have peace of mind.

Smart phones or mobile devices are created for convenience, entertainments, and so on. For serious stuffs, do it on your desktops or laptops.

Well, can someone say that it is very convenient to trade on the beach, drinking pina colada and smoking weed but I totally agree that if you want to do serious jobs, you need desctops/ laptops. That's why I dought that a serious business like exchangers will use a mobile. Unfortunately, scams and "hacks" will always be around...

[DdmrDdmr]

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You should both delete or change the last image link immediately (and the image itself from the hosting platform), if it the barcode is genuinely yours, and not a test run. I tried importing it with Google Authentifier, and It give access to sensitive information (which I will now delete-> deleted). Bear in mind that, if it is your information that is showing (@Cadaver20), it's already compromised.


By the way, you can make the images visible in the OP, instead of leaving just the link.

[bob123]

By the way, you can make the images visible in the OP, instead of leaving just the link.

And when you are at it, delete all the images and do it again. This time using screenshots.
Photos taken of a screen with a camera are.. let's say outdated.

Please use screenshots. It hurts my eyes to look at camera photos of screens.

[condoras]

You should both delete or change the last image link immediately (and the image itself from the hosting platform), if it the barcode is genuinely yours, and not a test run. I tried importing it with Google Authentifier, and It give access to sensitive information (which I will now delete-> deleted). Bear in mind that, if it is your information that is showing (@Cadaver20), it's already compromised.

I believe that Cadaver is aware of it.

By the way, you can make the images visible in the OP, instead of leaving just the link.

I know but then the thread will be bigger and (I guess) harder to read it...

And when you are at it, delete all the images and do it again. This time using screenshots.
Photos taken of a screen with a camera are.. let's say outdated.

Please use screenshots. It hurts my eyes to look at camera photos of screens.

Haha, you are totally right! Until I find a way though how to take screenshots with my new phone, these pics will be there. Not to mention that I'm not the fastest/ better screenshooter here...
Unless a good samaritan appears, do the procedure and offer his screenshots. I will be more than happy to add them to OP.

[bob123]

Until I find a way though how to take screenshots with my new phone, these pics will be there.

Starting with what kind of mobile you own, would help.
Or searching for "screenshot + [your mobile]" on the internet will yield results, taking less than a minute.