How to backup your Google Authenticator

Many people don't realise that Google Authenticator does not backup itself in the cloud. All accounts remain local, so if you lose or damage your phone you will have to setup all your 2FAs from scratch. Depending on your situation this can be a tidious process at best or a straight up hell locking you out of your accounts.

While there is no official function for backup, you can use this simple way:

1. Select export accounts – you can select up to 10
2. Select export and then screenshot the QR code
3. Cancel the process

Save the image somewhere safe. For additional security crop the screenshot leaving only the QR code so there are no Google Authenticator references. When you have a new phone select 'Scan QR code' and use the screenshot. All your 2FA accounts will be automatically restored.

EDIT: It seems that some Android phones don't allow screenshoting within GA, if anyone has a software solution to this, let us know. Otherwise a photo with a second device seems to be another way. iOS screenshoting works fine.

EDIT2: This assumes that you have a good security regime, and will protect the screenshot in an encrypted container of some sorts. If someone gets remote access to your computer and finds the screenshot unprotected they can easily recreate your 2FAs in their phones!! If you are not well versed in security practices it is better perhaps that you switch to one of the recommendations other users have made below for clients that have cloud backups.