A backup is part of the setup

Adding accounts is only the first step. A working recovery plan helps you keep access when a device breaks, goes missing or needs replacing. Review that plan while your authenticator is working normally.

Understand what you are saving

An authenticator backup preserves the account information needed to restore codes. Auth Code can export a password-protected encrypted vault. Keep the password safe: an encrypted file is not useful if you can no longer unlock it.

Store it deliberately

Choose a location you can access if your phone becomes unavailable. Avoid sharing the export through public links or sending it to support. Keep your backup password in a safe place that does not depend entirely on the same phone.

Keep it current

Create a fresh backup after adding or removing important accounts. Confirm that you can find the file and that your chosen recovery method works. If you use sync, remember that synchronizing changes is different from keeping an independent historical backup.

Know which recovery option to use

Recovery codes are issued by individual account providers. They can help you sign in when an authenticator is unavailable, subject to the provider’s rules. If you have neither valid codes nor a usable authenticator backup, use that provider’s official recovery process. Never send secret keys, recovery codes or backup passwords in a support message.