Migrating from Authy to Google Authenticator? Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a crucial layer of protection for your online accounts, but switching authenticator apps can be necessary in certain situations. If you’ve been using Authy and want to switch to Google Authenticator, you’ll need to manually transfer your accounts because the two apps store 2FA keys differently. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.
There are several reasons why users might consider switching from Authy to Google Authenticator:
While Authy offers advanced features like cloud backup and multi-device sync, some users prefer the simpler, more minimalistic approach of Google Authenticator. Google Authenticator is easy to set up and doesn’t require registration or account syncing.
In a recent cybersecurity incident, Twilio, the developer of Authy, confirmed a breach that exposed millions of users’ phone numbers. The attack exploited an “unauthenticated endpoint” in Twilio’s system, potentially affecting up to 33 million phone numbers. Though no other sensitive data was compromised, the incident underscored the risks associated with centralized services like Authy. Twilio quickly patched the vulnerability, but the hack has raised concerns among users regarding the safety of their authentication methods.
This breach has led many users to reconsider their 2FA app, preferring a more decentralized solution like Google Authenticator, which stores your keys only on your local device.
Next, you’ll need to disable 2FA for the account you want to transfer:
Now that 2FA is disabled for that account, you can set it up again using Google Authenticator:
Unfortunately, there’s no bulk export/import tool, so you’ll need to repeat these steps for each account that uses 2FA with Authy. It may take some time, but it’s necessary to ensure your 2FA codes are correctly transferred.
Google Authenticator is widely used due to its simplicity, offline functionality, and lack of centralized storage. Unlike Authy, it does not sync across devices, which can be seen as both a strength (increased privacy) and a limitation (manual backups are required). Additionally, Google Authenticator does not require users to register or sign in, minimizing the risk of centralized breaches like the one experienced by Authy.
Migrating your 2FA accounts from Authy to Google Authenticator is a manual process, but it’s worthwhile if you prefer the simplicity and decentralization of Google’s app. Whether you’re concerned about security following the Twilio hack, or you simply want a more minimal solution, following these steps will help you make the transition smoothly.
Remember to stay vigilant with your backup codes and take precautions to ensure you don’t lose access to your accounts during the migration.
If you have any questions or run into any issues, feel free to leave a comment below!
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