Reinstalling your computer? Save your authenticator entries first

Check work and personal browser profiles

A computer can contain work, personal and temporary browser profiles with separate extension data. Backing up only the entries visible in the current window can miss the rest.

Create an inventory of services and account aliases without secrets, and note their recovery routes. Prioritize important accounts whose only working generator is on the computer being erased.

Store the backup outside the disk you will erase

Open the export location to check the file was created, then store it somewhere that will survive the reinstall. Add the date and source to its name so it is easy to find later.

Authenticator Cloud app backups use passphrase encryption. Desktop extension exports are JSON files containing unencrypted secrets and need separate encryption or protected storage. Restore with the client that supports the file format.

Check synced entries on another device

With Authenticator Cloud Pro, sign into the same account on another device, complete a sync, compare your account list, and try a familiar service's login.

Before reinstalling, make sure you can sign into your sync account and find the backup and its passphrase. You will have a clear path to restore once the browser and extension are installed.

Ready to reinstall? Check these items first

Retain the old installation or disk until the migration check is complete. Recovering a website account, re-registering a corporate sign-in method and restoring an authenticator backup are different tasks.

• Important accounts have a route independent of this computer.
• Backup files and any required passphrase are accessible.
• The destination device has been checked.
• A work-device reinstall follows organizational requirements.