Get verification codes with Google Authenticator

If you set up 2-Step Verification, you can use the Google Authenticator app to receive codes. You can still receive codes without internet connection or mobile service. Learn more about 2-Step Verification.

App requirements

To use Google Authenticator on your Android device, you need:

  • Android version 4.4 and up
  • To turn on 2-Step Verification

Download Google Authenticator

INSTALL GOOGLE AUTHENTICATOR

Set up Google Authenticator

  1. On your device, go to your Google Account.
  2. At the top, in the navigation panel, tap Security.
  3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
  4. In the "Add more second steps to verify it's you" section, under "Authenticator app," tap Set up.
  5. Follow the on-screen steps.

Get codes on a new phone

Transfer Google Authenticator codes to a new phone

You need:

  • Your old Android phone with Google Authenticator codes
  • The latest version of the Google Authenticator app installed on your old phone
  • Your new phone
  1. On your new phone, install the Google Authenticator app.
  2. In the app, tap Get Started.
  3. At the bottom, tap Import existing accounts?.
  4. On your old phone, create a QR code:
    1. In the Authenticator app, tap More More and then Transfer accounts and then Export accounts.
    2. Select which accounts you want to transfer to your new phone, and then tap Next.
      • If you transfer multiple accounts, your old phone may create more than one QR code.
  5. On your new phone, tap Scan QR code.
  6. After you scan your QR codes, you get a confirmation that your Google Authenticator accounts have been transferred.

Tip:If your camera can't scan the QR code, it may be that there's too much info. Try to export again with fewer accounts.

Change which phone Authenticator codes are sent to

  1. On your device, go to your Google Account.
  2. At the top, in the navigation panel, select Security.
  3. Under "Signing in to Google," tap 2-Step Verification. You might need to sign in.
  4. Under "Available second steps," find "Authenticator app" and tap Change Phone.
  5. Follow the on-screen steps.

Common issues

Fix an incorrect code

If your code is incorrect, confirm:

  • You entered the code before it expired.
  • The time on your device is correct for your local time zone.

If your code is still incorrect, sync your Android device:

  1. On your Android device, open the Google Authenticator app Authenticator.
  2. In the top right, select More Moreand then Time correction for codes and then Sync now.
  3. On the next screen, the app confirms the time is synced. You can use your verification codes to sign in.
    • The sync only affects the internal time of your Google Authenticator app. Your device's Date & Time settings won't change.

Use Google Authenticator with multiple accounts or devices

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