Without a doubt, the Google Authenticator is one of the most effective software to save passwords and keep our mobile safe. The problem comes when we have to change mobile or reinstall the application and we have forgotten their access. In these cases, how to recover Google Authenticator?

Today, in Techtaks, we explain the best methods and solutions to recover the Google Authenticator account , all the procedures that work in 2021 to continue protecting your mobile from malware and other threats.

For this, our experts have prepared a very practical guide so that you can recover the application keys and passwords quickly, easily and safely.

Are you interested? Read on and get access to the Google Authenticator again in just a few steps .

How to recover the Google Authenticator step by step

Do not despair, there are different ways to recover the passwords of this powerful authenticator. Remember that this is a necessary process to verify that, in effect, you are the user and legitimate owner of said account. Therefore, Google will get a little picky and picky about information.

Next, let’s see some methods that you can use for this recovery.

Recover Google Authenticator with your secret key or QR code

One of the fastest ways to recover the Google Authenticator account is through the QR code or secret key (made up of 16 characters) that Google provides when using the app for the first time. And is that, if you lose your mobile or you have to install the app again because you have accidentally erased all the memory, you will need to have the code or password at hand to regain your access to the platform. These are the steps to follow:

1. When you use Google Authenticator for the first time, go to the Security section of your Google account and click on Two-Step Verification .
2. Once inside, scan the QR code that you will see on the screen. We recommend that you take a screenshot and keep it in a safe place.
3. Then the secret key will appear . Write it down and keep it in a safe place too.
4. Now enter the 6-digit code shown in the app to enable authentication.
5. Install the Google Authenticator app on your new mobile or reinstall it if you use the same device.
6. To recover the account, open the app and type the secret password in Manual Entry (iOS) or Enter the password provided (Android) along with your username. And ready!

And if you want to go faster, you also have the option of scanning the QR code associated with said key (the screenshot will do). Obviously, this method does not work if you have not previously saved the code / secret key.

How to recover Google Authenticator codes

If you have bought a new mobile, you should know that there is also the possibility of transferring the codes from one terminal to another . For this, you will need to have both operating devices and the updated Google Authenticator app on your old mobile. You must proceed as follows:

1. Install Google Authenticator on your new phone.
2. Open the app and click on Start .
3. Go to the bottom of its interface and select Import accounts that already exist?
4. Open the app on your old mobile and create a QR code . Go to More> Transfer accounts> Export accounts  and select your accounts. Click Next to generate the codes.
5. Go back to the new mobile and within the app select Scan QR code . After a few seconds, you will receive a confirmation that the transfer has been successful.

On the other hand, it must be taken into account that when carrying out this process it is possible that more than one QR code will be generated if you decide to transfer several accounts. In this sense, if you are going to scan the code and it does not work, there is a possibility that there is too much information and, in that case, you will have to export with a lower number of accounts.

Install the Google Authenticator App

One of the main problems by which we can be affected with our Google Authenticator is that it is not present on the mobile, whether it has been uninstalled or, certainly, it did not come with the new phone.

To make sure it is, you can go to the Play Store and search for the app. If you have it downloaded, you just have to open it to run it. If not, download it and enter to activate the device. To do this, it will ask you for the QR code or a code that you must enter on your mobile.

Repeat all these steps on the devices you want to be integrated with Google Authenticator, as this will enable two-step verification.

Recover forgotten password from mobile

One way you can try is by going through the Google account recovery page, either through the app or the browser. Then, you must do the following:

1. Once inside the Google account recovery page, enter your email with the last password you used .
2. If you have forgotten it, you must indicate that you do not remember it. What the system will do is send you a text message or call you directly at a number that is associated with that Google Authenticator account to give you a new code.
3. When you have it, you must enter it to enter again and recover your account. Remember to change the password in case you succeed.

Recover Google Authenticator account via email

As you might think, to do this we will need Gmail and follow these steps:

1. Go to the login page and, if you don’t remember your email, click the question about whether you have forgotten your email. Google will ask you to enter a phone number or some other recovery email .
2. It is very important that you try to answer the questions and deliver the information correctly when the platform requests it. Otherwise, it will consider that it is insufficient to verify that it is you and will not let you recover the account.

In this step, you can log in directly to the Google authenticator, which, having the passwords configured and saved, should allow you access.

If you do not have access to the main mobile, verify your identity in the new

In case of theft or loss of your main mobile phone, Google makes a series of alternatives available to the user so that you can confirm your identity and recover the Authenticator. The easiest way to do this is by logging into your Google account on the new phone and doing the verification on it. Follow the steps indicated and, if you are not successful, resort to another method.

Sign in from a trusted device

An alternative to the previous solution is to log into your Google account from another trusted device, that is, a mobile, tablet or computer that you have regular access to and that is not shared with other users.

To do this, we recommend that you always have a second backup device and activate the option ” Do not ask again on this computer ” when logging in. In this way, if you do not have access to your main mobile, you may be able to re-enter your data on that device without performing a second verification step .

If your security key has been stolen or lost …

Can’t find your security key? Or has it been stolen from you? Fortunately, you still have one last bullet left in your chamber to access your account and retrieve the Google Authenticator. Everything will depend on whether or not you have configured another second verification step such as an alternative key, a security code or a text message, among others.

If you have a second verification method, these are the steps to follow:

1. Log into Google with your password and your second verification step .
2. Follow the prompts to remove the lost security key.
3. Get a new security key . Ideally, get two keys, the main one and an extra one.
4. Register the new key by logging in from a compatible browser (Chrome, Firefox or Safari 13.0.4 and higher).

On the other hand, if you do not have another second step or the password, you must follow the Google instructions to recover the account . Normally, Google asks you for an alternative email address or phone number to contact you and also sends a code that you must enter to verify that you have access to that email or phone. The identity verification process can take between 3 and 5 business days .

Use an alternative app

If at this point it has been impossible for you to access your account and recover Google Authenticator, you can choose this app: Authy . It is a totally free alternative with which you can configure two-step verification in your Google account and other services such as Facebook, Outlook, Dropbox or Amazon, among many others.

One of the advantages of this app is that it generates backup copies in the cloud using the same algorithms as banks, so the information will be protected at all times. It is also a multi-device tool and also works without an Internet connection.

Tips and Precautions

Now that we have seen these methods, we will give you some additional tips that you should keep in mind when using Google Authenticator:

• Remember to verify the information well once your device undergoes a recent change or update. This is because, system updates in particular, tend to change the default values ​​or the configuration that the app may have. In this case, we recommend that you check the application after these changes.
• If you have lost your mobile, it is important that you report it as stolen or lost and, immediately, try to enter from a trusted computer to change your passwords for all Google apps. If you have activated the two-step verification , we recommend that you wait until you have the new mobile phone or a recovery email for the code to arrive.
• If you cannot enter, check that the app is not deconfigured in the operating system . Sometimes things like changing the time zone can cause some crashes in the app.

Google Authenticator: all your doubts resolved

How does Google Authenticator work?

Google Authenticator is a tool that is responsible for generating 6-digit random codes every 30 seconds that serve as a second layer of security to enter websites, applications and different types of services.

Thus, all the accounts that you add in Google Authenticator will require the introduction of these codes to be able to enter them. Its operation makes it one of the best options to be protected against hackers and other threats, since each code is for a single use and there is no possible way of knowing which will be the next to appear .

Can I get my Google Authenticator accounts back?

Yes, as long as you have previously saved the secret key or QR code . Each time 2-Step Verification is created for a specific account, the website will provide you with a key and a QR code that you must use in the Google Authenticator app.

It is very important that you keep this information in a safe and hidden place , and we also recommend that you print it, since if your mobile is stolen or lost there is no method to regain access within Google Authenticator.

Where do I find the Google security codes?

All security codes are stored within the 2-Step Verification section of your Google account. These are the steps to take:

1. Sign in with your account and click Manage your Google account . On iPhone you must access from the Gmail app and press Menu> Settings> Your account. As for Android , the management page of your account is in the Google section of the mobile settings menu.
2. Then select Security .
3. Swipe the screen until you find the option “Access Google”. In it, click on Two-Step Verification .
4. Once inside, look for “Backup codes” and click on Settings or Show codes . And ready! From this moment you will see the codes and you can print or download them.

Of course, to see these codes it is essential that you have previously activated two-step verification. If not, you will not find the “Backup codes” section.

What is a verification code and what is it for?

A verification code is a randomly created number used to confirm your identity when accessing a service account. This code is the basis of two-step authentication, since it is the second identification mechanism to log into your account and only you have access to it . In most cases, the code must be entered after entering your username and password.

What does 2FA code mean?

The 2FA, or Second Authentication Factor, is a code system that adds a second identity verification step to access your accounts. 2FA codes are made up of 6 digits and are generated randomly every few seconds.

As you can see, Google Authenticator really is a safe way to keep your data safe and confident that it will not be stolen. Take the above points into consideration to get the most out of it.