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How To Transfer Microsoft Authenticator To A New Phone
If you want to transfer Microsoft Authenticator to a new phone, follow this step by step guide. After migrating all saved credentials to a new phone, some websites might ask you to verify the new phone with new codes. You can use these instructions to move from Android to iOS or vice versa.
Microsoft Authenticator is a code generator application available for Android and iOS. If you enable and use two-factor authentication on various sites, you can make use of the Microsoft Authenticator to generate codes. However, let's assume that you have lost your phone that had Microsoft Authenticator, and now you want to transfer all data from that lost or stolen phone to a new one. In this case, you can take the help of this tutorial.
Before getting started, you should know that you must have enabled Cloud backup earlier to move from a stolen or lost phone to a new one. Otherwise, these steps won't help. If you have both mobiles in front of you, you can keep following this guide.
In this article, we have included screenshots indicating that we are moving from an Android mobile to iOS. However, you can follow the same steps to move from iOS to Android as well.
To set up Microsoft Authenticator on a new phone, follow these steps-
To get started, you need to turn on Cloud backup in the Microsoft Authenticator app. To do so, you need to open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile, tap on the three-dotted icon, and select the Settings option. Now, you need to toggle the Cloud backup option.
Note: If you are using an iOS mobile, you can see iCloud backup instead of Cloud backup. Now, you need to add a recovery account. You can use your personal email address as a recovery account. Once you are done with that, you need to open the Microsoft Authenticator app on the new mobile. After opening, you will find an option called BEGIN RECOVERY. 
Tap on it and add the email address you used on the old phone. If you add that successfully, you can find all the saved accounts on your new phone. Important notes Microsoft Authenticator might ask you to reverify some accounts after moving to a new mobile. That happens because of security reasons. While verifying accounts, you can see different codes on new and old mobiles. It is mandatory to use the codes from your new mobile. Don't forget to remove all accounts from the Microsoft Authenticator app after moving to the new phone. Read: How to use and add Work/School accounts to Microsoft Authenticator app. Best Authenticator App Of 2024
The best authenticator apps make it simple and easy to protect your online identity using two-factor authentication.
They do this by providing an additional layer of security when signing in to all your online accounts.
Two-factor authentication and multi-factor authentication are quickly becoming the standard for account protection online. Typically, authentication can be done with hardware tokens, SMS, push notifications and voice-based mechanisms. The best authenticator apps will make use of biometric security measures such as fingerprints, facial recognition and more.
Software tokens are an additional means of signing in using an authenticator app, which typically consist of a one-time password (OTP) that expires within a minute or so, making it extremely difficult for a hacker to log in to your accounts. Authenticator apps are best used in conjunction with other security measures, such as a password manager.
We put the best authenticator apps through their paces by testing them on their cross device compatibility, methods of authentication, and their additional features and perks - with 2Stable's authenticator app still ranking at number one thanks to its ease of use, biometric authentication measures, and the provision of a sync and backup option. Here are our top picks:
We've also listed the best privacy tools and anonymous browsers.
The best authenticator apps of 2024 in full:Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
Best authenticator app overall
1. Authenticator App by 2Stable
The most impressive authenticator app
Reasons to buy +Easy to use
+Biometric authentication
+Sync and backup option
One of the most impressive authenticator apps on this list, the aptly named Authenticator App by 2Stable, offers a mix of great features. These include biometric authentication, a sync and backup option, and full encryption for whatever 2FA content you decide to store seamlessly on Apple's iCloud service. It's also one of the most straightforward authentication apps on the market.
The Authenticator App by 2Stable is free for anyone who only plans on storing one or two 2FA accounts. You can keep content across the company's iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch apps and take advantage of family sharing, widgets, end-to-end encryption, etc. The freebie option doesn't include backup and synchronization, however. For an annual subscription every feature gets unlocked, including unlimited accounts and the ability to sync content across all platforms. Other features include Face ID and auto-lock.
2Stable also offers the freemium Photo Vault app that lets you store and protect your photos and videos from outside threats. It's available in the App Store.
Best authenticator app for security
Best authenticator for security
Reasons to buy +Great security
+Free
+User-friendly
Nordpass Authenticator is a business feature, which is relevant for companies who want to reach a higher level of security. The software is equipped with multi-factor authentication, uses the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm, and has a zero-knowledge approach. There's also biometric security (where it's supported, that is).
Other features include autofill for passwords, credit cards and login details, single-click saving, and more.
NordPass has a free option that gets you an unlimited number of passwords, one user with a single sign-on session, autosave and autofill, and the ability to securely store credit cards and notes.
The premium option, priced at $2.39 per month for one year, gets you more features, including the ability to detect weak, reused passwords, scan the web for data breaches, attach files to items, and you also get an unlimited number of devices.
In addition, a family plan is available ($3.69 per month for one year), which behaves similarly to the premium plan except you get six users instead of one.
The software itself is easy to install and set up, and if you have any passwords stored in any of the major browsers or even password managers, you can easily import those to NordPass. The interface is clear and on point, where users can easily see what's going on so even the less tech-savvy won't have any issues figuring things out.
Best cross-platform authenticator app
3. Authy
The best cross platform authentication app
Reasons to buy +Cross platform
+Very price competitive
+Secure cloud backup
Authy is one of the few authentication apps offered across Windows, Mac, Android, and Apple devices, including the Apple Watch. This makes it an ideal solution for anyone who uses an interesting mix of devices (Windows PC, iPhone; Mac, Android) as part of their daily lives. It's also one of the least expensive. With a free Authy account, you get 100 authentications per month and free support. You'll pay a minimal amount for additional authentications with no monthly commitment.
Perhaps strangely, Authy requires a phone number to set up a new account, which does feel a little bit invasive. Despite this, Authy provides lots of great 2FA features, including secure cloud backup.
Authy's app is easy to use, although it could use a design update. Compared to similar apps, it looks old by comparison. Nonetheless, it gets the job done. For additional security, you can protect your Authy account by using Touch ID, PIN protection, and passwords.
Best authenticator app for enterprise
4. Duo
The best authenticator app for enterprises
Reasons to buy +Corporate-friendly
+Back up option
+Supports multiple controls
The most corporate-friendly 2FA authenticator on our list, Duo Mobile is now part of Cisco. As such, it provides developers with essential features like multi-user deployment. For end-users, Duo Mobile covers all of the bases by offering easy, one-tap authentication. It also includes Duo Restore that makes it relatively pain-free to back up Duo-protected accounts, then recover them on new machines.
Additionally, Duo Mobile supports multiple authentication controls, including push notifications, biometrics, and passcodes.
For up to 10 accounts, Duo Mobile is free. Beyond this, there's a monthly subscription. Most individuals will probably be able to stick below the free limit, and save some monthly cash. It is worth noting that paid plans do offer more than just the ability to have more accounts.
Best authenticator app for ease
5. Google Authenticator
The easiest and most basic authenticator app
Reasons to avoid -Limited features
-No online backups
Many folks have a love/hate relationship with Google and if you're in the latter category, you probably want to move on to the next option on this list. For everyone else, say hello to the easiest and most basic authenticator app on the planet.
With Google Authenticator, you can quickly add an account and use it at will. Beyond this, certain options are missing, including online backups and an Apple Watch app. For a company of Google's size, these omissions are surprising, especially since it offers users quick assess to Google Drive across many platforms.
If you're an Android user, it's probably wise to skip past Google Authenticator and use the tools available within the operating system on your mobile device. They're much better than the app. For everyone else, Google Authenticator works and it is free. It's also kinda boring, which is something else to consider!
Best authenticator app for LastPass users
6. LastPass Authenticator
The best for LastPass users
Reasons to buy +Popular app
+Free
+Works with Google
You might already be familiar with LastPass's password app, that's very popular across various platforms. LastPass Authenticator is a small extension of this, and it's free. Like similar options, LastPass Authenticator supports six-digit generated passcodes alongside SMS codes and automated push notifications.
To activate the app's backup feature, you'll need to set up a free LastPass account. Once you do, Lastpass Authenticator works more smoothly, regardless of the device.
If you're already a LastPass customer (with a free or paid account), it makes sense to use LastPass Authentication. It works wherever Google Authenticator is accepted.
Best authenticator app for organizations
7. Microsoft Authenticator
The best authenticator for organizations and schools
Reasons to buy +Free to use
+Good for schools
Reasons to avoid -Android/iOS compatibility issues
It's probably a close draw on which authenticator app gets used in the wild the most, the one from Google or this one, Microsoft Authenticator. I'll take a guess and say it's the one from the Windows maker.
Microsoft Authenticator offers 2FA through phone sign-in or code generation. Increasingly, it's become a critical verification tool for organizations and schools alike, although it's also a popular choice with individuals not necessarily tied to a group.
The Microsoft Authenticator app is free to use across all platforms. However, I suggest not using this with iPhone and Android since the backup process is a tad wonky since the iOS version uses iCloud for backup purposes. Not surprisingly, iCloud isn't accessible to Android users. Otherwise, this is a terrific tool and one you'll see used in various places online.
Best authenticator app for Apple users
8. Step Two
The best authenticator app for Apple-only users
Reasons to buy +Beautiful design
+iCloud integration
Step Two is another authentication app that's only available on Apple devices. In this case, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Like with Duo Mobile, you can add up to 10 accounts for free. With iCloud integration, your accounts are synced across all of your devices. For a one-time purchase of $10 / £9 / AU$15 , you can use Step Two without restrictions. You can also find Step Two on Setapp.
What stands out about Step Two is its beautiful design. The creator, Neil Sardesai, has taken the time to create an authentication app that stands out and is a pleasure to use, regardless of the device. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about other authentication apps like Authy, which need a makeover.
Best premium authenticator app
9. TOTP Authenticator
The best premium authenticator app
Reasons to buy +Chrome browser extension
+Google Drive sync
+Export content
Available on Android and Apple devices, TOTP Authenticator provides has similar features to the solutions above but with some extras. As part of a premium membership you can unlock a Chrome browser extension that makes using the automatically generated codes easier.
Also, with a premium account, you get cloud sync (through Google Drive), a feature that's free with other apps. If you use a free account, you can still export content from the app to use elsewhere.
Authenticator app FAQs How to choose the best authenticator appsWhen deciding which authenticator app to use, first consider what your actual needs are, as sometimes free and budget software may only provide basic options, so if you need to use advanced tools you may find a paid platform is much more worthwhile. Additionally, higher-end software can really cater for every need, so do ensure you have a good idea of which features you think you may require from your authenticator app.
How do authenticator apps work?Without fail, one of the easiest ways to begin using 2FA is by using your smartphone's camera and scanning a QR code provided by the company or website. Once you do, the authentication app gets to work by issuing an ever-changing unique code. That code is valid as the second form of identification for just a few seconds before the authentication app refreshes it.
You only have to scan the QR code once on a device. If you're using sync and backup (like many of the apps below), you probably won't have to scan a QR code during setup on another device. Otherwise, you will.
The codes are generated using a standard HMAC-Based One-Time Password (HOTP) algorithm developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). However, at no time does the IETF gain access to the codes.
Is 2FA all the protection we need?When 2FA options first arrived, many thought online vulnerability would finally end in the tech world. But, unfortunately, that isn't the case. 2FA, like every other form of online security, isn't 100% secure. Try as they might, a hacker or two will figure out a way to gain access to something they shouldn't. In January 2022, for example, Crypto.Com was attacked. Nearly 500 accounts were compromised, and the thieves made off with more than $31 million in cryptocurrencies.
Despite its imperfections, 2FA still provides better protection than passwords alone.
How we tested the best authenticator appsTo test for the best authenticator apps we first set up an account with the relevant platform. We then tested the service to see how the software could be used for different purposes and in different situations. The aim was to push each authenticator app to see how useful its basic tools were and also how easy it was to get to grips with any more advanced tools.
Read how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar.
Get in touchWinAuth Is A Microsoft Or Google Authenticator Alternative For Windows 11/10
If you are looking for an alternative to Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator for Windows 10, check out this tool called WinAuth. It is free and open-source software that allows users to set up two-step verification on some popular online accounts from Windows PC. Let's check out the features and learn the process to set things up.
In these present days, it is essential to use a very strong password for any online account – be it Facebook or internet banking. Apart from that, two-step verification plays a vital role to make your account more secure by adding a layer of security. For that, two of the most common names appear all the time – Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator. However, the problem starts when you try to do the same on a Windows computer since those apps are not compatible with your computer.
Is there a Google Authenticator for Windows?You can install a 2FA app on your Windows PC. Once you do this, you will be able to use Google Authenticator on Windows to sign in to your Google account without the need for a phone.
The number of features of WinAuth is minimal, but all the available features are essential for any user.
As of now, WinAuth doesn't allow users to produce two-step verification codes for all the accounts. You can do so with these accounts only-
If you are okay with these accounts, you can go ahead to set it up.
Download and setup WinAuth on Windows 10 To setup WinAuth on Windows 10, follow these steps- Download WinAuth from the official website. Extract the .Zip file. Double-click on WinAuth.Exe to open the interface. Click the Add button. Select an account. Enter the secret code from that account. Click the Verify Authenticator button. Copy the code from WinAuth and paste it on your account. Click the OK button. Let's check out these steps in detail. Please note that we have mentioned the process for Google account only. If you want to set it up for another available account, you need to follow the same steps. To get started, you need to download the WinAuth from GitHub and extract the .Zip file. You can place the file somewhere safe so that it doesn't get deleted by mistake. After that, double-click on the WinAuth.Exe file and click the Run button if it shows a warning popup. Now, click the Add button, and choose an account.
In the meantime, open Google Account settings page in your browser, and enter the login credentials to sign in to your account. If you are setting it up for another account, you should open the page from where it is possible to turn ON the two-step verification. After that, switch to the Security tab, and click the 2-Step Verification option. Now, enter your account password again to verify. Once you do that, click the SET UP button under Authenticator app option. Following that, it asks you to select a mobile type – Android or iPhone. Select Android and click the NEXT button. Then, it shows a QR code that users need to scan, by default. As you are setting it up on a Windows computer, you do not need to scan the QR code. Instead, click the CAN'T SCAN IT button, copy the key, and paste it in the WinAuth window. 
Next, click the Verify Authenticator button. Then, enter the verification code on your Google account and click the NEXT button. From now onward, you can copy the code from WinAuth and paste it in your Google account for the two-step verification process. 
After going through the setup process, it asks you to create a master password. Enter your desired password twice, and make a tick in the Encrypt to only be useable on this computer checkbox as well. If you like, you can download WinAuth from the official download page. Can I install Google Authenticator on my PC? There is no official Google Authenticator app available for the Windows desktop yet. But you can use Google Authenticator on your Windows PC using other ways. 
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