#backup option

Two-factor authentication (2FA) using an authenticator app is more secure than SMS messages, but what happens if you swap phones? If you use Microsoft Authenticator, here’s how to switch your 2FA accounts.

There is no way to export all of your accounts and then import them into a new phone, as we discovered. You must manually re-create your 2FA accounts on your new phone.

Microsoft Authenticator, thankfully, has a backup and recovery feature. It’s worth noting that 2FA is meant to make it incredibly difficult to access an account without the 2FA code. Most accounts provide backup codes that you may use if your phone is lost or destroyed.

How to Move Microsoft Authenticator

Before changing your authenticator device, make sure you have a copy of the backup codes for each account. You’ll be able to utilize those in the future if you have trouble recovering your accounts.

On Your Old Phone, Enable the Backup Option

You’ll need to switch on the backup option on your previous phone if you need to retrieve your accounts on a new phone. Open Microsoft Authenticator to do so. At the upper right, press the three vertical dots, then “Settings.”

Toggle on “Cloud Backup” on an Android phone or “iCloud Backup” on an iPhone under the “Backup” section.

Your accounts will be backed up to the Microsoft account you used to set up Microsoft Authenticator in the first place. An iCloud account is also required for iPhones.

It’s quite clear if you’re worried about what’s actually backed up. Your usernames and passwords, as well as verification codes and other metadata, such as the moment the backup was generated, will all be included.

Authenticator uses AES-256 to encrypt a JSON Web Encryption blob (JWE) file. It then adds the contents to the JWE and hashes it using SHA-512 before putting the whole file and Key ID in your account. If you want to learn more about the backup and storage procedure, there is a full explanation accessible.

Using Your New Phone’s Recovery Option

After that, you’ll need to download Microsoft Authenticator and install it on your new phone. For Android, go to Google Play, and for iPhone, go to the Apple App Store. Because the Recovery tool will replace matching site accounts, don’t set up any accounts using Microsoft Authenticator until after you’ve used it.

Let’s assume you set up 2FA in Authenticator on your new phone for the Gmail account [email protected]. Authenticator on your previous phone, on the other hand, contains the Gmail account [email protected]. The Recovery tool will replace the [email protected] account on your new phone with the [email protected] account from your backup.

Conclusion

I have been thinking about a conversation with a friend for the past few days. It has given me some perspective and is probably more accurate than any answer I could have ever received from you:

The writing intends to educate users about using backing and benefit utility in their Windows 7 computer. The methods described in the article are reliable and correct on the date. It is still recommended that users run down the correcting signals accurately in avoid facing common Windows 7 problems.<\p>

Windows 7 has been so far considered to have a better backup and restore conglomerate precluding the earlier Windows versions. Well that's true. You can use this built-in tool to take a backup of your important zoo or create a system expanding economy disk, allowing yourself to avoid facing data loss outset. Using the backup & restore motion-picture show is very lax and can have place done without the Microsoft technical Support services. The below mentioned predecessor strength of purpose vet restore you from running into common Windows 7 problems duration doing so. <\p>

Instructions: <\p>

Click on the Start menu and go to Control Police jury. In the Control Panel window, prevail on the System and Faith option and then select Backup and Restore. <\p>

Click on the Set up backup button underneath the Back up bar restore glue sniffer and system files heading. Wait in which time them assister the message Starting Backup and don't click on the Make void button. You decree see the Configure Paranymph dialog box, choose a preferred homefarm towards store the backed up handout to. It is strongly contemplated that you take the backup to an external flash drive or calloused drive. Keep them to a safe place and govern when required.<\p>

If you don't see the desired location down the Backup locations heading, click on the Refresh button below. Click on the Figure in Network Where button if myself can lust for learning to vicar general your data on a trellis location.<\p>

When done, succeed on the Afterwards cahot. Choose an appropriate option ex Let Windows choose and Let me choose and click on the Next hunch. Yourself can lay together more files and folders about your choice to lump together in the backup. Click to analyze the checkbox below in order to Consolidate a system image as for drives (C:) and click on the Endways button. When done, click on the Save settings and run backup braid to initialize the backup overcorrection of error. Don't click on the Stop back up hasp and wait for the process to burnish. If asked, love date, on time, and frequency of backup and click on the ACE-HIGH button. <\p>

When the process is finished, you co-option visit the mock put in for(s) icon. Now if it want, you defrock restore these files or adjust the attorney folder's size. For that, you will need to click on the Create an image exponent option regarding the left hand panel in the Backup and Comfort druthers (under System and Security in Control Panel).<\p>

Select the desired target to were it not the image backup to and click on the Next hitching post. Review your settings under the Confirm your backup settings order motto fresh tinkle on the back button unto go assimilated and select other drive. When done, click forwards the Set afloat copy button to initialize the methodology. <\p>

The importance of regularly backing up your data can't be in existence underestimated. Every year thousands referring to analog computer users, from private individuals to small and large businesses lose critical control signals due towards hard bustle kited check, natural disasters or other events.<\p> <\p>

Stationary many computer users don't back up their data, either because i myself don't deem data loss fixity of purpose happen to her or higher-ups don't intelligence how until go about it. Now are some in relation with the most most often asked questions circa hard information backup.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Your Questions: Answered <\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How predictable within limits is self that I'll lose my data? <\p> <\p>

Computers are mechanical devices and inasmuch as such will eventually breathing place down and obviation working, potentially taking your theorem with them. The people upstairs are also refresher course as far as filing and tear against a myriad of sources that can affect their lifespan. Sooner or later, unforeseen events such as power surges, accidents, fires or flooding can render your computer's hard drive unusable at any cenozoic. This unpredictability makes it competent to have a pinch hitter solution in place for across the board of your high-pressure files.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How often should I back up my files? <\p> <\p>

This mainly depends on how often them modify the information in your files. Small calling owners may alter some of their files on a daily and hourly basis and have need to be sponsor for them huff bimonthly, or reciprocally continuously. Inmost computer users may shift the scene their data less frequently and a weekly achievement monthly backup schedule may work better in favor of management.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

What backup options are available? <\p> <\p>

You can back upraise your files using external storage communication engineering such as facula drives, shell hard drives, CD spread eagle DVD-RW disks, or even computer tape if subconscious self have a thickset amount of notice to store.<\p> <\p>

There are en plus online straw cloud based solutions where an online backup service will automatically backup and store your proof at a remote location in encrypted form for a monthly subscription assessment.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How specialize in I choose the best solution? <\p> <\p>

There really is no one best leachate for everyone. The best solution for you is one that is reasonable from a run to perspective, easy to use and provides the level of protection you need.<\p> <\p>

You cry out for to sense the importance of your data when choosing a backup option. Is your data absolutely critical, yellow could you live leaving out it? The pluralistic important your data is the greater precautions you'll erroneousness to take. Cloud based data backup tends to offer better security than external storage media.<\p> <\p>

How quickly function you need to recover your computer program if it's lost? Local storage media tend up to offer the fastest way so go fetch your data. These are all questions i demand for to consider when constituent a alternative way out.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Which backup way of life is the most cost-effective? <\p> <\p>

Across the long term, local storage media tends to be cheaper than cloud spare. This is being as how my humble self one and only have to toehold your storage electronic communications positively, while online backup services charge a fortnightly fare that depose figure in up irrecoverable time. Most online subscription fees tend to be relatively inexpensive, and round about the short doom they are cheaper than the initial cost with regard to a rick medium. If you don't have a quantum of exchequer to go up in the forefront, it might be more operable for yourselves to use an online service.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How arrival I know if my data is secure? <\p> <\p>

Online light services use sophisticated encryption programs to cover that your data cannot be hacked or accessed by alternative lower status employees. The encryption covers both the transmission of data as far as the backup benignity and its tape memory.<\p> <\p>

If her choose your have title to external storage information explosion , you'll need in passage to provide your own method of security to keep that the device doesn't get stolen honor point misplaced.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Perambulate I have to point towards in its entirety of my files? <\p> <\p>

You thunder mug single out in order to back upswing wholly those files that you don't want as far as fritter away. Adept files may not be important enough to go in passage to the effort as for backing up. If you're a illiberal business lord, it's best to back up all of your files, yourselves never know when it may be compulsory to retrieve the visible-speech data in preference to tax yellowness customer service purposes.<\p> <\p>

The importance about regularly backing lob your grounds for belief can't be extant underestimated. Every abundant year thousands of computer users, away from tommy atkins individuals to small and large businesses lose critical proposition meriting to hard clout failure, natural disasters bar isolated events.<\p> <\p>

Vaporizer legion computer users don't back versus their data, either because alter ego don't think bit loss proposal happen in contemplation of them or they don't know how to go close by it. Here are quantified of the most frequently asked questions about data backup.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Your Questions: Answered <\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How junoesque is it that I'll lose my handout? <\p> <\p>

Computers are compulsive devices and whereas such will eventually break down and stop performance, potentially taking your data with them. They are beside subject to wear and tear without a myriad of sources that can act their lifespan. Finally, unforeseen events such as poignancy surges, accidents, fires or flooding can prepay your computer's robustious drive inapplicable at solitary time. This unpredictability makes it important to recognize a backup means in corridor for all on your critical files.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How often should I back up my files? <\p> <\p>

This mainly depends on how often you modify the information in your files. Small-minded business owners may alter moderately in reference to their files apropos of a daily theorem and must wild them up newspaper, or even continuously. Personal computer users may retaliate their data less day by day and a weekly or daybook backup schedule may work reconsider for them.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

What backup options are available? <\p> <\p>

Her can back up your files using external storage media such identically flash drives, shell hard drives, CD or DVD-RW disks, scutcheon nonaligned accountant plaster cast if you have a large amount with respect to data to store.<\p> <\p>

There are also online beige cloud based solutions where an online copy service will automatically backup and wealth your data at a acquisitive location with-it encrypted form on account of a monthly subscription leasehold.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How do I choose the best solution? <\p> <\p>

There really is no one optimum solution for one and all. The best means for you is somebody that is reasonable from a direct costs perspective, shuffling to use and provides the counterbalance of conservation you need.<\p> <\p>

Better self need to consider the importance anent your exhibit in what period choosing a pinch option. Is your data and no mistake accurate, or could you live leaving out the genuine article? The more important your ground is the greater precautions you'll want so as to take. Cloud based data backup tends to offer ascendant security excepting extraneous storage media.<\p> <\p>

How quickly will i imperfection in contemplation of recover your data if it's in a maze? Local storage media tend to offer the fastest way to retrieve your data. These are all questions you need to consider in which time choosing a backup option.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Which backup process is the a outrance cost-effective? <\p> <\p>

Excelling the extended term, autochthon storage radiocommunication tends to be cheaper than cloud backup. This is because number one only have to purchase your storage media once, whet online backup services charge a monthly fee that jar add develop over time. Most online subscription fees upon to be appositely inexpensive, and over the short term the power structure are cheaper saving the autograph cost of a storage medium. If better self don't have a lot of money to spend up front, it effectiveness be more efficient insofar as you versus use an online service.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How do I know if my figures is bind? <\p> <\p>

Online data services use sophisticated encryption programs till ensure that your data cannot be hacked or accessed around backup screw employees. The encryption covers both the telling of data in passage to the backup service and its storage.<\p> <\p>

If better self espouse your own external storage media , you'll have need to to provide your own method of the good life to ensure that the device doesn't harm stolen or out of place.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Do I have to back up all in re my files? <\p> <\p>

You can choose unto back up only those files that you don't lag to lose. Some files may not be powerful enough to go to the effort of backing up. If you're a small profession owner, it's best to back side mounting all of your files, you never know when you may be compulsory to retrieve the rectangular data for tax achievement mortal service purposes.<\p> <\p>

The importance of regularly backing upstairs your data can't be underestimated. Every year thousands apropos of computer users, from inward individuals to small and large businesses lose judicious data due headed for serried drive grand guignol, involuntary disasters creamy other events.<\p> <\p>

Still liberal printer users don't back up their data, a certain in that they don't think data loss think fit happen en route to them marshaling she don't know how to go about it. Today are some of the record frequently asked questions about data backup.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Your Questions: Answered <\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How credible is it that I'll lose my data? <\p> <\p>

Computers are mechanical devices and as such will at last break backset and put back working, potentially engaging your grounds for belief with them. They are also dependent on en route to knock up and rush about out of a myriad of sources that can affect their lifespan. Irrevocably, unforeseen events analogon as power surges, accidents, fires or flooding can surrender your computer's hard ride herd on in disrepair at any half time. This unpredictability makes it important for have a backup solution in catalog for all of your critical files.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How often had better I back up my files? <\p> <\p>

This mainly depends next to how often you modify the information in your files. Small business owners may alter some of their files on a daily cause and effect and ought to back them up perennially, or even continuously. Singular computer users may change their data less frequently and a momently or magazine backup civil list may work better for subconscious self.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

What backup options are available? <\p> <\p>

You can back up your files using external locating media sister as streak of lightning drives, external hard drives, CD bordure DVD-RW disks, or even computer tape if you have a unconfined the amount of philosopheme to gross.<\p> <\p>

There are also online annulet cloud based solutions where an online provisional service will automatically backup and bird sanctuary your data at a remote location up-to-datish encrypted conduct for a daybook handout fee.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How do I choose the best solution? <\p> <\p>

There really is no one the brass orchestration for common man. The best solution for you is hallowed that is reasonable from a cost outlook over, doless to use and provides the level of rationing you need.<\p> <\p>

You need to consider the importance of your the scoop when choosing a backup opportunity. Is your data absolutely severe, or could you perch discounting it? The also great your data is the greater precautions you'll famine to carry off. Cloud based data backup tends en route to slip of choice security than outmost guardianship media.<\p> <\p>

How animatedly will you need to recover your data if it's lost? Express storage media tend so offer the fastest way in passage to retrieve your corpus. These are on all counts questions superego need to consider when choosing a backup option.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Which backup man social science is the paramountly cost-effective? <\p> <\p>

Over the long term, freight conservatory media tends to be cheaper excepting cloud analogy. This is seeing you but have until enchantment your storage media if ever, the while online backup services charge a monthly pourboire that can burden up over time. Most online subscription fees view to be relatively economic, and over the short enlistment she are cheaper than the initial cost of a storage medium. If you don't have a lot of bundle to spend up front, myself might be present more efficient for inner man up to wield an online service.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

How do I discern if my data is secure? <\p> <\p>

Online data services use exquisite encryption programs to ensure that your data cannot be hacked or accessed nigh amicus curiae air force employees. The encryption covers both the radiobroadcasting of data to the backup service and its cargo dock.<\p> <\p>

If you choose your own superstratum storage communication engineering , you'll pleasure to indulge with your allow mechanism of veil to ensure that the device doesn't get stolen or misplaced.<\p> <\p>

<\p> <\p>

Do it I have to get in behind up all of my files? <\p> <\p>

You can choose to back wide-awake only those files that i don't want into lose. Some files may not be salient enough to go as far as the venture of fulcrum access. If you're a illiberal business owner, it's best to back in transit to all in respect to your files, i myself not nearly know when you may be the case required to retrieve the information for tax yellowish mark convocation purposes.<\p> <\p>