Migrate Multi factor Authentication details to your new iPhone

Published 15th September 2025

Migrating MFA Details to a New iPhone

Important: Before you begin, ensure you still have access to your old iPhone and your accounts’ backup/credentials. If you reset or lose access before completing the migration, you may get locked out of accounts.

Do not wipe or trade in your old iPhone before completing the migration.

1. Microsoft Authenticator

Microsoft Authenticator supports cloud backup & restore, which makes moving to a new iPhone easier.

On Old iPhone:

  1. Open Microsoft Authenticator.
  2. Tap the menu (⋮ or ☰) → Settings.
  3. Under Backup, turn on:
    • iCloud backup (for iPhone users).
    • Make sure your Apple ID is signed in and iCloud Drive is enabled.
  4. Confirm that the backup completed successfully.

On New iPhone:

  1. Install Microsoft Authenticator from the App Store.
  2. Sign in with the same Microsoft account used on your old phone.
  3. During setup, choose Begin Recovery.
  4. Select your backup, and all accounts will be restored.
  5. Test login for a few accounts to confirm MFA works.

2. Google Authenticator

Google Authenticator does not back up automatically. Instead, you transfer accounts via export/import.

On Old iPhone:

  1. Update Google Authenticator to the latest version.
  2. Open the app → tap Menu (⋮ or ☰) → Transfer accounts.
  3. Select Export accounts
  4. Select the accounts you want to transfer.
  5. A QR code will appear.

On New iPhone:

  1. Install Google Authenticator from the App Store.
  2. Open the app → tap Get Started → Import existing accounts?
  3. Use your new iPhone to scan the QR code shown on the old iPhone.
  4. Verify all accounts are imported successfully.
  5. Log in to a few accounts to confirm.

3. After Migration – Verify & Secure

  • Log in to critical accounts (email, bank, work apps) to test MFA works.
  • Keep your old iPhone for at least a few days as a backup until you are confident everything works.
  • If any accounts fail to transfer, log in manually and re-register MFA with the new phone.
  • Once done, disable MFA on the old iPhone to avoid confusion.

 

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